According to ATR's press service, the consortium (ATR) has received EASA certificate, allowing operation of ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500 aircraft at ambient ground temperatures not below -45 С. AEX.ru

Aviation Register of Interstate Aviation Committee (AR IAC) has approved the EASA certificate and allowed operation of ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500 aircraft at ambient ground temperatures not below -45 С within the territory of Russia and CIS region.

A complicated program of cold tests has preceded the certificate acquisition. It was carried out in Yakutsk last year and included ground and flight testing of ATR 72-500 aircraft. Following the principle of similitude EASA has extended the certificate on ATR 42-500, since all systems of ATR42-500 and ATR 72-500 are absolutely identical.

ATR has carried out flight and ground tests in order to verify the working capacity of engines, control surfaces, doors, avionics, and hydraulic, electric and pneumatic systems at ambient ground temperatures below -40 С. The test program stipulated aircraft parking at low temperatures for at least 12 hours with further warming-up of engines, systems, equipment and cockpit. Russian airline UTair took an active part in this work besides EASA and AR IAC.

ATR 72-500 with 70 seats, ATR 42-500 with seating capacity of 50 and other models of ATR 72 family have been certified earlier by EASA and FAA for operation at ambient ground temperatures not below -35 С. The certificate, allowing operation of ATR -500 series aircraft and ATR 72 models from the previous family at ambient ground temperatures not below -45 С stipulates special recommendations and procedures regarding maintenance.

After receiving the EASA certificate, ATR will submit its application for approving the operation at ambient ground temperatures not below -45 С to FAA.

This certificate will allow operation of ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500 in many northern regions including Siberia, northern part of Europe and USA.
ATR in cooperation with AR IAC has also started the certification process for operation of aircraft using unpaved aerodromes in Russia. ATR aircrafts have already been certified by EASA for operation using unpaved runways.