A member of Pratt & Whitney's PW100 engine family will once again power a new aircraft variant from ATR. The new ATR 42-600S is powered by PW127 engines. (The "S" stands for short takeoff and landing, or STOL.) The aircraft's claim to fame? It can use runways as short as 800 meters (2,624 feet) and is the only regional aircraft in the world today that can do so.
Regional aviation has the power to connect people and communities with the immediacy and efficiency of commercial flight – especially in places where none existed before. In fact, ATR forecasts that the new aircraft will increase the addressable market by 25%. A single aircraft model making that number of new city pairs possible virtually overnight is a remarkable achievement.
ATR gave the green light for the ATR 42-600S at the General Assembly of the European Regions Airline Association held this week near Nice, France. The airframe OEM announced that it had secured 20 commitments from customers for the 42-600S. The launch lessor will be ELIX Aviation Capital and the launch operator will be Tahiti Air.
Pratt & Whitney is working closely with ATR to modify the software on the PW127 engine to deliver the additional power needed to allow the aircraft to accommodate short runways. The software will effectively allow pilots flying the ATR 42-600S to access the engine's regular power levels when using normal-length runways or access the extra power capability on shorter runways. This feature ensures that the engines and the aircraft are operated in the most efficient manner possible.
Most of the 30- to 90-passenger regional turboprop aircraft operating today are powered by our PW100 and PW150 engine families. Environmental performance of regional aircraft is becoming a greater priority for the industry – especially in Europe. Pratt & Whitney-powered regional turboprops emit less CO2 emissions and consume 25% to 40% less fuel on short-range flights than similar-sized regional jets for missions up to 400 nautical miles. The PW100 and PW150 engines also offer airlines the best life-cycle costs and help maintain the value of the aircraft.
ATR says it expects the ATR 42-600S will be certified in the second half of 2022, with the first delivery expected immediately thereafter.