Trans States Getting ATRs

[BoilerUP]

I'd be happy to fly an ATR...just pay me a good 70 seat rate to do so.

 

[willNOTfly4free]

I'd be happy to fly an ATR...just pay me a good 70 seat rate to do so.

Stereotypical airline attitude


I keed, I keed

 

[T-prop]

ATR is doing a tour of their 72-500 across North America right now. I have a friend helping them out with their Dog and Pony shows. They are planning on meeting with at least 20 airlines in the next 2 weeks. My friend actually likes the aircraft and told me its quieter than the CRJ with the new 6 bladed prop. Huge difference over the current version at ASA. Plus, ATR is trying to ride the momentum of $83 oil and a rash of gear failures on the Dash 8.

The 212A or ATR-72-500 just hums in flight... very quiet. Headsets are definitely optional. Don't even need to touch the condition (prop) levers outside of start and shutdown. Systems are quite automatic...for a turboprop. APU is definitely a must though. Handles better than a DHC8 too. 3600' strips aren't a problem either. Being half French is it's only weakness Not as fast as the Q400 but it has a proven history.

 

[Foxcow]

The 212A or ATR-72-500 just hums in flight... very quiet. Headsets are definitely optional. Don't even need to touch the condition (prop) levers outside of start and shutdown. Systems are quite automatic...for a turboprop. APU is definitely a must though. Handles better than a DHC8 too. 3600' strips aren't a problem either. Being French is it's only weakness Not as fast as the Q400 but it has a proven history.

And from what I hear, Bombardier's quality control leaves a lot to desired.

 

[Q400 Gear Bitch]

It's a great airplane either way. burns a heck of a lot less fuel than the Dash 8-400.

Agreed, but at almost 100 knots slower. If I recall, the -72 trued at about 280, while the -42 about 260. The Q400 trues about 350.

 

[dispatchguy]

I watched that icing test video of an ATR behind a modified KC135 in dispatch GS at TSA - post-mod the airplane seems to be just a fine bird

 

[Shrek]

Oh God no...

...so does this mean that if I apply right now I might get the ATR or would they start getting them like in March or something?

SJS TOOL.

 

[Salukipilot4590]

SJS TOOL.

...yeah but was the bold necessary?

 

[Shrek]

...yeah but was the bold necessary?

Yes.

I hold fellow TSA pilots to a higher standard.

 

[Salukipilot4590]

Yes.

I hold fellow TSA pilots to a higher standard.

Okay, explain...

 

[ackattacker]

Agreed, but at almost 100 knots slower. If I recall, the -72 trued at about 280, while the -42 about 260. The Q400 trues about 350.

Do you think passengers will pay significantly more for a flight that's 7 minutes faster? That's about what we're talking on a 200nm leg. Most people don't even look at how long a flight takes when they book it... they just care when it leaves and how much does it cost.

 

[John Pennekamp]

No APU? We have an APU. It's installed under the right wing. It's called the right engine, and in hotel mode, it works great. Real APUs are for sissies that can't take the hot or cold! Did we mention it's French? He He He, Ho Ho Ho!

 

[ehaecker]

Love the ATR. It will be a sad day when ASA looses them...

 

[Shrek]

Okay, explain...

We have never been known for SJS syndrom.........don't start now.

Explained enough?

 

[waterski]

Trans States and growth used in the same sentence?

 

[CFI2766]

Love the ATR. It will be a sad day when ASA looses them...

There's really no guarantee that we'll ever see that happen...

 

[ehaecker]

Hope you're right!

 

[Q400 Gear Bitch]

Do you think passengers will pay significantly more for a flight that's 7 minutes faster? That's about what we're talking on a 200nm leg. Most people don't even look at how long a flight takes when they book it... they just care when it leaves and how much does it cost.

Nope. I think the meat will do just like you said. Cheapest and closest to when they want to leave/arrive. I was just pointing out the speed difference between the two. I flew em both and they're both good birds.

 

[Snapshot]

Maybe they'll bring back "Ol' Smokey"!!
Keep the fire department on their toes.

 

[Crash Pad]

Will Trans States be offering basic insturment flying brush up courses?

The ATR is filled with circular dials that have needles pointing in various directions... For your average Super Jet Autopilot Monkey this can be very scary!

 

[WSurf]

Will Trans States be offering basic insturment flying brush up courses?

The ATR is filled with circular dials that have needles pointing in various directions... For your average Super Jet Autopilot Monkey this can be very scary!

Very true! I had a new hire from Pinnacle on the jumpseat in my Ole' beat up Dash 8. First words out of the 21 year old, "wow look at all those dials!"

I had to laugh!

 

[arthompson]

The new ATR is a glass cockpit (well mostly) and is designed to allow the conditioned air system to work off ground power. Hotel Mode exist as well as an option, but that was previously mentioned.

 

[ackattacker]

The new ATR is a glass cockpit (well mostly) and is designed to allow the conditioned air system to work off ground power. Hotel Mode exist as well as an option, but that was previously mentioned.

Do you have a source for this (ground air conditioning)? I have heard nothing of any kind of ground air other than the standard belly hookup to an Aircon cart, or hotel mode. The packs can only work off of bleed air, so to do what you suggest would require a completely separate freon system.

Press release from ATR (today!) ----

The European turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR reached an important new milestone today with the announcement of the launch of the "-600 series", the newest version of its family of aircraft. This was announced by Stéphane Mayer, ATR CEO, on the occasion of a Press Conference held in Washington, D.C.
The new ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 will feature the latest technological enhancements while building upon the well-known advantages of the current aircraft, namely its high efficiency, proven dispatch reliability and low fuel burn and operationing cost. The "-600 series" ATR aircraft will be progressively introduced during the second half of 2010.
Compared to the current "-500 series", the main developments of the "-600 series" ATRs comprise:
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, auto- pilot and communications. An outstanding flight deck  - Glass Cockpit - with 5 wide LCD screens will replace the current EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrumental System). In addition, a multi purpose computer (MPC) will further enhance Flight Safety and operational capabilities. The new avionics will also provide CAT III and RNP capabilities.  All these main improvements will 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 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 300 Kg 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 in order to further reduce costs and increase life span, while also upgrading the visibility of the aircraft. LED represents the lowest weight and energy consuming lighting technology, with a dramatically extended service life.

 

[ehaecker]

The -500 cockpit is the same as the -212

 

[arthompson]

Do you have a source for this (ground air conditioning)? I have heard nothing of any kind of ground air other than the standard belly hookup to an Aircon cart, or hotel mode. The packs can only work off of bleed air, so to do what you suggest would require a completely separate freon system.

Press release from ATR (today!) ----

I have a marketing packet that I picked up at the RAA conference that shows it in it. I had to look at it a couple of times to make sure I was reading it right. I'll see about digging it out and looking at it again to make sure I am posting the right information.

 

[PositionandHold]

Oh God no...

...so does this mean that if I apply right now I might get the ATR or would they start getting them like in March or something?

Oh god not the ATR, which has a virtual FADEC, a great autopilot, partial glass with multiple redundancy systems and a huge cockpit. Oh yeah, it has props so it must suck. I should mention it's not much noisier than the jet, especially the -500 version with the tuning forks as passive noise reduction.

You'd be lucky to get the ATR. It'll teach you a thing or two.

 

[ehaecker]

He has over 250 hours, he is above props now. Good pilots fly jets.

 

[Salukipilot4590]

I think only one person got why I didnt like the ATR... Sometimes you only see/read what you want to... I really feel sorry for you....

 

[ehaecker]

You have no reason to dis-like the ATR. Icing can't be an excuse. It is the most ice-tested airplane in the industry. Somebody mentioned fires. WTF? I have never heard of this problem.
You are just scared of being prop trash. You want to be seen in your sexy jet.

 

[PositionandHold]

I think only one person got why I didnt like the ATR... Sometimes you only see/read what you want to... I really feel sorry for you....

What, your fear of icing? Give me a break.

Fact is, if you follow procedures, the airplane handles ice extremely well. Unfortunately for the Eagle incidents, procedures were not followed. It happens. But the aircraft is outstanding.

And you're right, you did overreact.

Good luck