by Jean Sabatier (ROTW)

Here is a plane which was keeping us waiting. Indeed, this project started about 4 years ago on a Sébastien Mayzaud's idea. From this time, he had realized a part of instrument panels textures and Jean Baruch had begun 3D model. TJ, for his part, had begun some internal views, the secret of which he has. Sébastien and Jean Baruch having stood back from simulation, the project was put in portfolios. But that was without allowing for obstinacy of the whole world "Fly!ers" !
In fact, on the French and English forums, a question was often asked: "We had seen quite beautiful pictures in the project section, what the ATR becomes ?".

ROTW aircraft manufacturers had other current projects which they wished to lead to their terms and that was made. Between two realizations, Jean Sabatier proposed to end this plane. He recovered all the existing material, kept what seemed to him useful, redone what wasn't it (among others the 3D model).
And so the project was relaunched in December, 2004. As usual, Jean wanted to make a "Mac compatible" plane, so without Dll, what limits a little certain features application, but so little when we see number of novelties he added.

In the time, the project had started with an ATR72-300 (4 blades). It evolved towards an ATR42-500 (6 blades) more modern, quieter and less fuel consumer.

Main instrument panel is, as usual, complete and "scrollable":

Unlike aircraft already realized by the ROTW, the cockpit upper part is much more complex. All which is necessary for the aircraft starting-up is gathered there: fuel circuits, AC and DC electrical circuits, hydraulic systems, wings and propellers de-icing, pressurisation, internal temperature, failure management... and so on. As you see it below, it's "a beautiful machine" !

In cockpit lower part, we find what is classically put in this place on airliners: the FMS then the different levers necessary for flight and taxiing, and finally the "radios".

And naturally, all which is useful is functional, even, sometimes, someones less usefull in simulation as "ATTACH YOUR BELTS" and "NO SMOKING" switches.

And to end this aircraft tour, as a matter of fact very typical, here are some not active inside views: left-hand side (with its "joystick" to drive the plane during the taxiing below 80 KTS).

Right-hand side:

But it isn't ended !
Among novelties there is ... a random failure manager as in professional simulator ! This manager is implemented through a supplementary window, accessible "above" the upper panel. Here:

So, you can really work as "professionals" by creating, during the various flight phases, risks of failures: engines, electric, hydraulic, avionics, engine fire, cabin fire. All this by settling the reliability parameter. With that you cannot fail your ATR qualification !
A button for reconditioning, but it's necessary to be on ground, engines stopped.

On this pannel there is also the connection to external generators allowing aircraft starting up without battery (and they didn't last for a long time when engines are stopped !). ATTENTION, if you don't disconnect the external generator (by setting both switches to OFF): "big disaster !" I let you discover it !) ATTENTION, at loading, generators are connected !

Other innovation, the "hotel mode": it's the possibility of starting the right engine (with propeller braked) so that it gives the power necessary to start the left engine and to ensure the aircraft starting-up, as an APU shall make it. "X-feed" circuits allow transferring the power (electric, hydraulic...) in the circuit totality.

Still one more (this Jean, insatiable !), the GPWS which gives visual and aural indications (in English, as really) in case of dangerous flight situations near the ground or in descent configuration. Attention that deafens you ! You can activate or deactivate it with a little switch at the main panel bottom left. Messages are:

DON'T SINK - PULL UP - TERRAIN, TERRAIN - TOO LOW TERRAIN - TOO LOW FLAPS - TOO LOW GEAR

With the ATR, besides naturally a flight manual, you have the possibility of pulling down its check list during flight. This function is delivered alone because it uses a Dll which would have bothered Mac users. It contains 10 pages you can move on any view. You can activate it (if you installed it) by clicking the aircraft identification "F" letter.

Let's go, pre-flight briefing in 10 minutes !

ATR42-500: Improved version V51 - february 2006