ATR 42-600S STOL Performs Maiden Flight
The ATR 42-600S STOL variant took to the skies this week from Francazal Airport in Toulouse, France.
The ATR 42-600S STOL variant took to the skies this week from Francazal Airport in Toulouse, France.
DALLAS - The ATR 42-600S, a Short Take-Off and Landing variant of the ATR 42-600, took to the skies this week from Francazal Airport (LFBF) in Toulouse, France.
The ATR 42-600S 30-50 seat turboprop aircraft is being designed to be able to use 800m runways (2,625ft). According to ATR, this will allow the ATR 42-600 to operate 500 more general aviation airstrips.
Because of the shorter runway choice, the ATR 42-600 is a viable option for operators of smaller aircraft at a greater number of regional airports. The ATR 42-600S has received 20 orders from the French/Italian aircraft manufacturer.
The ATR 42 first flew in 1985, and various updates were made to the aircraft over the years before the current -600 series was delivered in 2007. The STOL variant will be certified by ATR next year.
The crew onboard performed a number of tests to measure the performance of the upgraded aircraft systems during the two-hour and fifteen-minute flight from Francazal Airport.
The next phase of ground and flight testing for the aircraft will include the MFC-NG (Multifunctional Computer New Generation), followed by the Autobrake, Ground Spoiler, and improved take-off rating systems.
ATR says the aircraft will enter its final configuration at the end of the year with the addition of a new larger rudder.
ATR is a Franco-Italian aircraft manufacturer headquartered on the grounds of Toulouse Blagnac International Airport in Blagnac, France. It was formed in 1981 as a joint venture between Aérospatiale of France and Aeritalia of Italy.
Featured image: ATR 42-600S STOL. Photo: ATR
.webp)
David H. Stringer, the History Editor for AIRWAYS Magazine, has chronicled the story of the commercial aviation industry with his airline history articles that have appeared in AIRWAYS over two decades. Here, for the first time, is a compilation of those articles.
Subjects A through C are presented in this first of three volumes. Covering topics such as the airlines of Alaska at the time of statehood and Canada's regional airlines of the 1960s, the individual histories of such carriers as Allegheny, American, Braniff, and Continental are also included in Volume One. Get your copy today!
