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ATR 42-600
Recognised for its lowest cost per trip in its category, ATR 42-600 seamlessly connects and serves remote communities and islands. With a proven track record in opening, developing, and sustaining operations thanks to its smaller capacity and impressive cost efficiency, ATR 42-600 stands as the only regional aircraft in production within the 30-50 seat segment. It is the ultimate solution for replacing smaller turboprops and regional jets, providing additional capacity and boosting profitability.
The aircraft’s ability to operate in areas with challenging conditions and limited infrastructure, such as high-altitude airports and short runways, makes it a dependable asset for regional carriers looking to optimise operations. ATR 42-600 perfectly complements its counterpart, ATR 72-600, offering a harmonious combination to match capacity and demand. Significantly, 25 per cent of operators have embraced the ATR family concept by incorporating both ATR 42 and ATR 72 in their fleet.
ATR 42-600: Cabin Experience
ATR 42-600 features the largest cabin in the turboprop segment, designed by the Italian design house Giugiaro. The Armonia cabin, standard on all ATR -600 series aircraft, provides a spacious and tranquil environment with flexible layout options to meet various airline needs.
Ergonomic 18-inch-wide seats have been specifically designed to provide great personal space, optimum support, and relaxation throughout the flight, offering comfort levels equivalent to the latest widebody aircraft. They are also lightweight, contributing significantly to heightened fuel efficiency and a notable reduction in the aircraft’s environmental footprint. Overhead bins have been carefully designed to store the widest carry-on luggage, ensuring a hassle-free journey with everything within reach. Advanced structure design and soundproofing material, along with LED lighting in the cabin, create a tranquil atmosphere.
The aircraft offers the possibility of a standalone In-Flight Entertainment system and USB ports in the seats. Thanks to the New Air Management System, ATR cabin is smoothly pressurised for maximum comfort, with fresh, clean air circulating through the cabin and renewed every five minutes. The Audioback® concept is a hearing aid loop designed to capture any audio input, such as in-flight announcements, and send it via a magnetic field signal to hearing-impaired passengers whose hearing aids are equipped with a Telecoil. The aircraft also offers safety instruction signs in Braille on the seats to cater to visually-impaired passengers. The cabin is accessible to passengers with reduced mobility, with a wide aisle compatible with the use of onboard wheelchairs and fully foldable armrests to ease passenger seating.
ATR 42-600: Technology
ATR 42-600 is powered by the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127XT-M Engine, providing 2,400 SHP and ensuring powerful, efficient performance with reduced maintenance costs and improved fuel efficiency. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art glass cockpit featuring the Thales Standard 3 avionics suite, offering intuitive control and enhanced situational awareness. This advanced system is engineered to deliver efficiency and enhance safety margins while reducing pilot workload, setting new standards for optimal operations in the regional aviation sector. Equipped with five large high-resolution Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD), it provides pilots with a panoramic view of critical flight information.
Available on all ATR aircraft, Performance-Based Navigation is a satellite-based navigation system that allows for more precise and reliable aircraft guidance. It replaces conventional ground-based navigation aids with advanced technology, enabling aircraft to navigate with pinpoint accuracy without the need for expensive infrastructure, thanks to its advanced Performance-Based Navigation capabilities—Baro Vertical Navigation (Baro VNAV), Localiser Precision with Vertical Guidance (LPV), and Required Navigation Performance with Authorisation Required (RNP AR) 0.3/0.3.
ATR 42-600: Cockpit Innovation
ATR’s continuous cockpit innovation is centred on pilot well-being and efficiency. ATR -600 series cockpit showcases an ergonomic and intuitive design that ensures comfort and eases decision-making in demanding operational conditions, recognising that the success of every flight depends on the seamless interaction between the pilot and the aircraft’s systems. ATR has seamlessly integrated electronic checklists into the Flight Management System, along with the installation of an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) for easy access to essential documents and information.
Through innovative systems, pilots have access to real-time data, predictive tools, and direct flight paths, enabling them to make informed decisions with confidence. All this results in smoother operations, reduced fuel consumption, and a lowered environmental footprint.
ATR 42-600: Performance
ATR 42-600 and can perform efficiently in “hot and high” conditions, making it ideal for regions with challenging terrains. With a minimum runway length requirement of just 1,000 meters, ATR 42-600 can access a wide range of airports, including those with short and unpaved runways. Its ability to open and sustain operations in areas with challenging conditions and limited infrastructure, such as high-altitude airports and short runways, makes it a dependable asset for regional carriers looking to optimise operations.
This aircraft achieves a 30 per cent reduction in fuel burn compared to similar-sized regional jets, resulting in significant cost savings and environmental benefits. ATR 42-600’s commitment to sustainability through reduced fuel burn and lower emissions aligns with global efforts to create a more environmentally-friendly aviation industry.
Through digitalisation, all performance calculations are handled by on-board performance software, and documentation consultation is simplified and streamlined in a fully digital format. This modern, digital environment focuses on what truly matters: enhancing pilot situational awareness, streamlining decision-making, reducing pilot workload, and increasing safety margins and overall efficiency.
ATR 42-600: Specifications
| Category | Features |
| Dimensions and Capacities | |
| Overall Length | 22.7 m |
| Cabin Length | 12.6 m |
| Fuselage Max Diameter | 2.57 m |
| Max Cabin Width | 2.57 m |
| Wingspan | 24.6 m |
| Height | 7.6 m |
| Seating Capacity | 30-50 seats |
| Weights | |
| Max Take-Off Weight (MTOW) | 18,600 kg (41,005 lb) |
| Max Landing Weight (MLW) | 18,300 kg (40,344 lb) |
| Max Zero Fuel Weight | 17,000 kg (37,478 lb) |
| Operational Empty Weight | 11,750 kg (25,904 lb) |
| Max Payload | 5,250 kg (11,574 lb) |
| Max Fuel Load | 4,500 kg (9,920 lb) |
| Performance Metrics | |
| Range with Max Payload | 726 NM (1,345 km) |
| Cruise Speed | 289 KTAS (535 km/h) at 95 per cent MTOW and FL240 |
| Fuel Consumption in Cruise | 620 kg/h (1,367 lb/h) |
| Minimum Runway Length | 1,000 m |
| Environmental Performance | |
| CO₂ Emissions per Seat/km | 93 g |
| NOx Emissions per Landing and Take-Off Cycle | 1.8 kg |
| Noise Margin | -11.4 EPNdB compared to ICAO Chapter 14 certification |
Takeaways
ATR 42-600 speaks of ATR’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and efficiency in regional aviation. Whether you’re a passenger enjoying the roomy cabin or an airline appreciating its operational flexibility and cost-efficiency, ATR 42-600 delivers an exceptional experience and value.
Widely recognised for its reliability and cost-efficiency, ATR 42-600 has garnered praise from regional airlines worldwide. It continues to be a preferred choice for connecting remote destinations and optimising short-haul routes, contributing significantly to regional connectivity and economic development.
