ATR obtains EASA certification for the new Standard 3 avionics for the ATR -600 series

The new avionics suite has been co-developed with Thales  

 

Toulouse, July 11, 2017 – The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has granted certification to the latest innovations, co-developed by ATR and Thales, which further enhance the avionics of the ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600. The “Standard 3” version of the ATR -600’s avionics will improve situational awareness and approach capabilities while offering pilots a more user-friendly interface, along with tools to optimise airlines’ operations. Standard 3 is notably comprised of the RNP-AR 0.3/0.3 capability, a synthetic vision system, additional high and low speed protections, and customisable checklists and databases. Standard 3 will be installed in new ATR -600s starting from the end of 2017.

 

The Standard 3 will feature RNP-AR 0.3/0.3 (Required Navigation Performance with Authorisation Required) option. The addition of an Inertial Reference System provided by Thales, will allow safe operations in corridors with 0.3 NM half-width, thus enabling airlines to operate in stringent conditions, notably in mountainous areas or congested traffic environments. The previous Standard 2 offered similar 0.3 NM capacity for approach, but only 1 NM for missed approach and departure. The development of RNP-AR 0.3/0.3 has been jointly financed with Air New Zealand, who first asked ATR to look into this upgraded functionality.

 

For the first time ever in commercial air transport, a Synthetic Vision System (SVS) will be available in the Standard 3 avionics suite. The SVS will enable pilots to have a greater situational awareness.

 

The new avionics also include additional speed protections: when the aircraft reaches high or low speed limits, the crew is alerted and safe guidance is activated. In addition, customisable capabilities will be available, such as company route databases or checklists, offering the opportunity to adapt day-to-day operations to the airline expectations.

 

The Standard 3 can be retrofitted in ATR -600s already in service, through a simple software upgrade of the avionics suite. As of today, nearly 400 ATR -600 aircraft are operated worldwide.

 

Developed over the last two years, the new avionics are the result of the close cooperation between ATR and Thales. ATR, and Thales as a tier 1 system integrator, have designed a turn-key avionics system tailored to ATR -600s.

 

Alessandro Amendola, Senior Vice President Engineering of ATR, declared: “The new Standard 3 avionics will ease airline operations. It will contribute substantially to ensuring that ATR aircraft remain both at the cutting-edge of technology and also the most appealing regional aircraft in the market.”  

 

Peter Hitchcock Thales VP in charge of Commercial Avionics declared, “This certification is the result of the successful partnership with ATR. We are particularly proud of contributing to the ATR-600 program and continuously improving the capabilities of the avionics suite, providing ever greater functionality to the operators of this aircraft.”

 

About Thales

Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Transport, Defence and Security markets. With 64,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of €14.9 billion in 2016. With over 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design and deploy equipment, systems and services to meet the most complex security requirements. Its exceptional international footprint allows it to work closely with its customers all over the world.

 

About ATR

Founded in 1981, ATR is the world leader in the market for below-90-seat regional aircraft. Since its creation, ATR has sold over 1,500 aircraft. ATR aircraft equip the fleets of some 200 airlines in nearly 100 countries. ATR is an equal partnership between two major European aeronautics players, Airbus and Leonardo. Based in Toulouse, France, ATR is well established worldwide with a large customer support and sales network, including Customer Service Centers, training centers and warehouses. For more information, please visit https://www.atr-aircraft.com