The ATR 42 is a twin-turboprop, short-haul regional airliner built in France and Italy by ATR (Aerei da Trasporto Regionale or Avions de Transport Régional). The military version the ATR 42 “Surveyor” is a maritime patrol version of the -500 and VIP transport and in-flight inspection versions of the -500 also exist
Developing nation: France and Italy
Manufacturer/designer: ATR
Production lines: Toulouse, France
First flight: August 16, 1984 F-WEGA
Certification: September 1985
First delivery: December9, 1985 to Air Littoral of France
The ATR 42MP can load the wide spectrum of equipment required to conduct that kind of missions such as radar, FLIR, TV camera, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Communications and Navigation systems. In addition, bubble panoramic windows have been provided to the Surveyor for optimal visual observation of the environment.
The ATR 42 Surveyor can remain on station for up to 8 hours at 200 nautical miles from its base airfield. To do so, the aircraft cruises at low loiter speed which facilitates target detection and tracking while it can change to higher speed at any time. The Italian Customs service ordered two ATR 42 MP and the Italian Coast Guard an undisclosed number of airplanes to protect Italy’s Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ).
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Capacity: 42–50 passengers
- Length: 22.67 m (74 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 24.57 m (80 ft 7 in)
- Height: 7.59 m (24 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 54.5 m2 (587 sq ft)
- Aspect ratio: 11.1:1
- Empty weight: 11,250 kg (24,802 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 18,600 kg (41,006 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127E turboprops, 1,610 kW (2,160 shp) each
Performance
- Cruise speed: 560 km/h; 350 mph (300 kn)
- Range: 1,555 km (966 mi; 840 nmi) with 48 passengers
- Service ceiling: 7,600 m (24,934 ft)
- Takeoff Run at MTOW: 1,165 m (3,822 ft)
All pictures courtesy of Zijde Aviation Photo and Publishing, Rob Vogelaar / Marcel van Leeuwen
