The story
The ATR 72-500 is the marketing name for the ATR 72-212A, which first flew in January 1996 and was certified a year later. It gave the stretched ATR six-bladed propellers, higher weights and more automated power management. ATR delivered 365 of them before the -600 replaced it on the line, and many still fly with airlines such as Wings Air in Indonesia and Buddha Air in Nepal.
ATR 72s have a 'Hotel Mode': on the ground the right engine runs with its propeller held still by a brake, supplying electrical power and air without an auxiliary power unit.
Quick answers
How do you identify a ATR 72-500?
The long ATR at 89 ft, with six-bladed propellers; early -200s and -210s have four. Telling a -500 from a -600 from the ground is very hard because the main change is the cockpit, so the airline and the aircraft's age are your best clues. In most layouts passengers board through the rear door.
What does a ATR 72-500 sound like?
A steady turboprop drone with the smoother note of six-bladed props.
How many people does the ATR 72-500 carry?
Typical configuration: 66 (31 in pitch).
How far can the ATR 72-500 fly?
Range is about 772 nmi (max passengers).
How big is the ATR 72-500?
It is 89 ft 2 in long and 88 ft 9 in across the wings.
When did the ATR 72-500 first fly?
Its first flight was in 1996.
How many ATR 72-500s have been built?
365 built.
How rare is a ATR 72-500 in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first ATR 72-500 catch is worth 25 points.
