With the recent release of the ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator, simmers now have access to an affordable and highly detailed new airliner that offers an engaging level of complexity for those interested in flying a turboprop airliner within the simulator. To assist simmers in familiarizing themselves with the unique intricacies and techniques required to operate the ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 aircraft, Microsoft released a series of tutorials, created by a real-world ATR pilot, that aim to equip you with the necessary skills to master these advanced planes in MSFS.
The ATR 72-600 Discovery Series covers various aspects of the ATR flight deck and provides an overview of the aircraft systems. Users can learn the sequence of events needed to take the aircraft from a cold and dark state to engines running, explore the included EFB tablet, understand the setup process for the Thales 220 FMS, and learn about Hotel mode, which is the ATR equivalent of an APU.
The video series is set at Christchurch Airport in New Zealand, a major hub for ATR operations, and features a third-party airport from NZA Simulations. Andrew, the ATR pilot that brings us these videos, guides us through each phase of the flight: taxi out, takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, approach, and landing. He demonstrates the use of VNAV in the climb and descent, showcases a non-precision RNAV approach, explores in-flight icing conditions, makes on-the-fly flight plan adjustments, and performs a precision ILS DME approach.
While Andrew clarifies that he is not a training captain, his experience as a line pilot offers valuable insights for those looking to get more enjoyment from their experience in MSFS. This tutorial series is intended as a condensed version of real-world pilot training, focusing on normal procedures as system failures have not been modeled.
Note that as the real ATR is certified as a two-crew aircraft, the tutorials may have slight deviations from real-world procedures to accommodate the single-user experience of Microsoft Flight Simulator. However, the content will still be more than sufficient to help users navigate the virtual world from point A to point B.
It is recommended that users watch the videos in the order they are published, as each video builds upon the previous content.
For those looking to dive into the world of the ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600, the ATR Discovery Series is the perfect starting point. Check out the whole series of 7 episodes by visiting the Microsoft Flight Simulator YouTube channel.
