ATR 72-600 gets EASA certification and readies for delivery to Morocco

The ATR 72-600, the newest member of the Franco-Italian aircraft family, has obtained certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) clearing the way for the aircraft to be delivered to launch customer Royal Air Maroc
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This certification covers the new equipment on the aircraft, and is the successful conclusion to a series of ground and flight tests conducted on the ATR 72-600 prototype. Flight testing on the aircraft began in the summer of 2009.

 

The tests validated the proper functioning of the new systems and equipment installed on the aircraft, such as its new avionics: a new glass cockpit with 5 LCD screens, new communication, navigation, monitoring, flight management (FMS), Automatic Pilot and alert management systems, and a new MPC computer system (including aircraft maintenance and protection functions).
 
Filippo Bagnato, CEO of ATR, said: " Development of the new 600-series ATRs is based on our commitment to continue developing our line of aircraft in order to better meet the needs of regional airlines, in terms of operating costs as well as airworthiness and passenger comfort. The ATR ‘-600’, now the most advanced regional aircraft on the market, features new avionics, developed in partnership with Thales, which make flight management even simpler thanks to its state-of-the-art technology. It also features a new cabin, designed by Giugiaro, with new, even more comfortable seats which are also lighter-weight, and completely redesigned baggage stows offering more storage space for passengers. The new ATR ‘-600’s’ entry into service will soon open up new commercial prospects for us.” 


Since launching the new ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 program in October 2007, ATR has received orders for a total of 141 aircraft in this new series.
Delivery of the first ATR 72-600s will begin this summer. Royal Air Maroc, who ordered a total of 4 ATR 72-600s and 2 ATR 42-600s, will be the first operator to take delivery of an ATR 72-600 and that should take place at the Paris Air Show in June.
Testing on the ATR 42-600 is currently underway, and this aircraft will benefit from its close similarity to the ATR 72-600 (fuselage, engines, avionics). Its certification is expected at the end of the year.
 

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