ATR launches -600 series with new avionics, engines.

ATR has launched the "-600 series", the newest version of its family of aircraft. The new ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 will feature the latest technological enhancements while building upon the high efficiency, proven dispatch reliability and low fuel burn and operating cost of the current aircraft. The -600 series ATR aircraft will be progressively introduced during the second half of 2010.

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Compared to the current "-500 series", the main developments of the "-600 series" are:

* New Avionics Suite: the "-600 series" ATR aircraft will feature an enhanced cockpit, equipped with upgraded avionics instrumentation. This includes the latest and most accurate computing systems for navigation, recording, autopilot and communications. A Glass Cockpit flight deck featuring five wide LCD screens will replace the current EFIS (Electronic Flight instrument System). In addition, a multi-purpose computer (MPC) will further enhance Flight Safety and operational capabilities. The new avionics--to be supplied by Thales--will also provide CAT ill and RNP capabilities. All these improvements are designed to provide advantages and performance improvements in terms of weight reduction, reliability, energy consumption and durability.

* New engine: the ATR 42-600s and ATR 72-600s will include the new PW 127 M as the standard engine. This enhanced version of the ATR engine will allow an increased power rating for the ATR 72-600 that will provide improved performance for hot and high conditions.

* Additional weight increase: compared to the current optional Design Weights, the new ATR 72-600 will have as standard an additional weight increase of 300kg on MTOW (Maximum Take Off Weight) and MZFW (Max Zero Fuel Weight), plus optional weight increases of an additional 200kg. This will improve the payload and performance to cope with increasing demands of passenger weights and baggage.

* Cabin Comfort and LED technology: The -600 series will include all the existing and future cabin improvements developed by ATR to provide the high level of comfort and low interior noise for which the existing -500 series is recognized. It will also have the latest in Light Emitting Diode lighting inside the cabin, and this LED technology is also being incorporated both for external navigation and anti-collision lighting.