The Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) version of the ATR 42-600 regional turboprop aircraft completed its maiden flight at Toulouse-Francazal Airport.
The flight lasted two hours and 15 minutes and completed several tests to measure the performance of the upgraded aircraft systems. The development will continue with a series of ground and flight tests.
The Franco-Italian regional aircraft manufacturer officially launched the ATR 42-600S at the Paris Air Show 2019. It has already received 20 commitments from lessors and airlines for the new variant.
“There are currently close to 500 airports around the world with a runway length between 800 and 1,000 meters (2,625 to 3,281 feet) that could welcome the ATR 42-600S,” ATR said in a statement.
The 30 to 50-seater aircraft will receive a new larger rudder at the end of 2022 and enter its certification phase in 2023.