ATR 42-500

ATR 42
HOP! ATR 42–500 on final approach at Toulouse–Blagnac Airport, France
Role	Regional airliner
National origin	France/Italy
Manufacturer	ATR
First flight	16 August 1984
Introduction	3 December 1985
Status	In service
Primary users	FedEx Feeder Aeromar First Air HOP!
Produced	1984–present
Number built	455 (as of January 19, 2017)
Unit cost	42–600: $19.5 million (2012)
Variants	ATR 72

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). ATR models have their final assembly in Toulouse, and share resources and technology with Airbus. The name "42" comes from the aircraft's standard seating, which varies from 40 to 52. The aircraft serves as the basis for the larger ATR 72.

The ATR 42–300 was announced in 1981, making its maiden flight on 16 August 1984; French and Italian certification followed in September 1985 and its first revenue flight was in December with Air Littoral of France. This initial version of the ATR 42 was in production until 1996. The next upgrade for the product was the ATR 42-320 (also produced until 1996); this variant differed in that it was equipped with the more-powerful PW-121 engines for improved performance. The ATR 42-300QC is a quick-change (convertible) freight/passenger version of the standard −300 series.

The next production version is the −500 series. It was an upgraded aircraft with new PW127 engines, new six blade propellers, improved hot and high performance, increased weight capacity and an improved passenger cabin. The 50-seat ATR 42–500 was first certificated in July 1995. The current production version is the -600 series. Announced in 2007 with deliveries starting in 2012, it is similar to the -500 but features PW127M engines, a new glass cockpit, and a variety of other minor improvements. As of December 2014, 436 ATR 42 aircraft had been delivered worldwide.

The −200 was the original ATR 42 prototype and only a few were built for testing purposes. It was powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 engines rated at 1,800 shp (1,300 kW).

The −300 was the standard production version. This model was manufactured until 1996. It was powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 engines rated at 2,000 shp (1,500 kW).

The −320 was an improved version of the −300 powered by PW121 engines (2100 shp). It was designed to have better performance especially in hot and high conditions.