Top ten freighters

ATR Freighter

Cargo Volume: ATR 72 - 2666cu ft/75.5cu m, ATR 42 - 1978cu ft/56cu m

Dimensions: Wingspan 80ft 7in, overall length 74ft 5in, height 24ft 11in

Distance: ATR 72 - 500 nautical miles, ATR 42 - 450 nautical miles

Revenue Payload: ATR 72 - 8.6 tonnes, ATR 42 - 5.8 tonnes

The ATR aircraft family is manufactured by a joint venture between the Italian technology company, Alenia Aeronautica and transnational aerospace company, EADS. In 2002 and 2003, the ATR 72 and ATR 42 models were respectively modified as all-freight versions, promising to adapt the twin turboprop aircraft's efficiency and operational flexibility to cater for the tough demands of the modern airfreight industry.

The ATR 72 in fact does not possess an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), but instead has a propeller brake that prevents the propeller on the right side of the engine from allowing the turbine to run and provide air and power to the aircraft. This is designed to eliminate the added weight and expense of an APU engine, which are periodically switched during maintenance.

Two main variants of the ATR are currently available, the bulk freighter (light or structural tube) and the ULD freighter (large cargo door). Stripping aircraft interior of all standard furnishing and floor reinforcement, the tubing version comes with specific cargo equipment, such as light lining (Light Tube) or structural lining (Structural Tube). Fitted with 9g vertical nets and six additional longitudinal tracks allowing flexibility for net attachment positions, the latest of this variant provides a volume maximised platform capability for bulk freighter operations.

The large cargo door (LCD) variant allows for the loading of standard ULDs, including LD3 containers or 88inx108in pallets.
ATR believes this offers operators a flexible, multipurpose cargo platform for the air transportation of ULD, pallets, bulk freight or a combination of all three. Over 800 ATRs have been sold worldwide and the company was busy during 2007 showcasing its new 600 series.

Operators include: FedEx, DHL, UPS, Finnair, Swiftair

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