AIRCRAFT DESCRIPTION & HISTORY

The first of two ATR-42 prototypes flew for the first time on August 16 1984. Italian and French authorities granted certification in September 1985 and the first ATR-42 entered airline service on December 9 1985.           

The initial ATR-42-300 was the standard production version of the ATR-42 family until 1996 and features greater payload range and a higher takeoff weight than the prototypes. The ATR-42 Cargo is a quick change freight/passenger.

 ATR 42-300