ATR 42
The ATR 42 is a regional airliner produced by Franco-Italian manufacturer ATR, with final assembly in Toulouse, France. On 4 November 1981, the aircraft was launched with ATR, as a joint venture between French Aérospatiale (now part of Airbus) and Aeritalia (now Leonardo S.p.A.). The ATR 42-300 performed its maiden flight on 16 August 1984 and type certification was granted during September 1985. Launch customer Air Littoral operated its first revenue-earning flight in December of that year.
| ATR 42 | |
|---|---|
| A HOP! ATR 42-500 on final approach | |
| Role | Turboprop Regional airliner |
| National origin | France/Italy |
| Manufacturer | ATR |
| First flight | 16 August 1984 |
| Introduction | 3 December 1985 |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | FedEx Feeder Canadian North Silver Airways |
| Produced | 1984–present |
| Number built | 497 (as of January 2023) |
| Variants | ATR 72 |
The high-wing airliner is powered by two turboprop engines, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120s. The number "42" in its name is derived from the aircraft's original standard seating capacity of 42 passengers. Later variants are upgraded with new avionics, a glass cockpit, and newer engine versions. The ATR 42 is the basis for the stretched ATR 72, introduced in October 1989.