The ATR 72 is the ideal aircraft for short-range aviation

To normalize domestic air traffic, airlines are supplemented by air fleets with short-range and medium-range aircraft. It all depends on what kind of budget the airline has. Of course, it is possible to purchase and include an expensive turbojet aircraft in the fleet, or you can purchase an ATR 72 aircraft, save several million money and invest it in the development of near aircraft.

Small. Turboprop. Passenger

In the history of the development of aircraft construction, a huge number of aircraft have been designed and built. So it turned out that on hearing only large long-range aircraft and military aircraft. And meanwhile, in addition to long-distance flights, you need to fly to medium and even short-range routes. The ATR 72 aircraft is an excellent representative of universal civil aviation aircraft.

What are its advantages? The fact that it is relatively small and light. It does not have turbojet engines, but is equipped with two turboprop engines, which is much more advantageous for short-range aircraft. Such an aircraft spends not so much fuel and is easy to maintain. Its very design is much simpler and more comprehensible than most of the more powerful aircraft.

ATR 72 is a new generation aircraft. The engine blades look somewhat old-fashioned and this repels passengers. However, this is a common misconception. Screw traction, although it gives a lower speed, but by no means worse than turbojet traction. Historically, the military aircraft are considered to be the standard of reliability. Turboprop engines are successfully used on strategic bombers of the Russian military aerospace and military transport planes of the US Air Force. Such engines are most optimal for flights over short distances.

And yet he is a passenger

It is surprising that many companies use the ATR 72 as a transport vehicle. Especially American mail services. For internal mail, it is important that parcels are delivered quickly, and transport is not too expensive. So it turned out that ATR 72 is perfectly suited to these requirements. However, its main specialization is passenger transportation. This is a full-fledged passenger plane. Its capacity is quite high for an aircraft of this class - 72 passengers, a crew of stewards and a team of pilots.

If the screw, then only the "turbo"!

Indeed, screw aircraft have long been a part of history. They were replaced by turboprop aircraft. Between these seemingly related types there is a colossal difference. A turboprop is much more powerful. Lifting power is enough to lift not only the aircraft, but also a lot of passengers. At the same cruising speed will be as much as 510 km / h. This is very fast for regional airlines. Of course, this is much slower than long-haul aircraft. Given the short range of flight, passengers will feel that the plane is flying with incredible speed.

Design Features

Each aircraft has its own distinctive features. ATR 72 was no exception, but on the contrary - a reference point for all near aircraft. The design of this turboprop aircraft involves the most advanced composite materials. The caissons of the wings are 100 percent carbon fiber. For aircraft ATR aviation aluminum is gradually becoming a thing of the past. Aircraft become lighter and faster, which opens up attractive commercial prospects for them.

ATR 72 in Ukraine

Despite the fact that in this country regional aviation aircraft are ships of the Tupolev Design Bureau - there is also an ATR 72. "UTair" is its operator. His flight distance is low and loses to Tupolev's aircraft. The maximum range is 1500 km. It is for this reason that such a plane is unpopular in Russia. Aircraft of the same class are equipped with turbojet engines and capable of overcharging up to 8000 km without refueling. ATR 72 are also found in the Russian Federation, but much less frequently. Mainly in the south of Russia.

The problem of ATR 72 is unification. The aircraft is absolutely not adapted to flights in difficult weather conditions and during the cold season. In the case of icing, the aircraft goes into stall and is broken. This has already happened several times. This problem is a constructive shortcoming of the aircraft, it is problematic to solve it by modernization.

Where is it better to sit down?

Where are the best places in the ATR 72? Of course at the window. It is not possible to say where the good places are, and where - the bad. All this is a subjective assessment, because everyone measures the level of comfort in different ways. However, you should not sit in the tail of the aircraft. There, as a rule, the maneuvers and rocking of the hull are most palpable. The places near the window will always be the best, because the view from the bird's eye view is always breathtaking.

Airplane reviews

Reviews about the ATR 72 are different. Mostly these are positive responses, but negative ones are also encountered. Many passengers note the unusualness of the flight on this plane. The plane is comfortable, small, and it's just nice to fly. Some of the negative reviews are left by civil aviation pilots, complaining that exploitation in the cold season is very dangerous. Some complain about hard chairs, but this is also a rather subjective impression.

In the cabin of the plane it's noisy. With this nothing can be done, because it is a turboprop. These engines rustle and create an interesting entourage. Most of the passengers are pleased to have the opportunity to experience the sensations of flying on such an aircraft, because they are completely incomparable with flying on a turbojet.