DALLAS – Today in Aviation, the prototype British Aerospace (BAe) ATP operated its maiden flight from Woodford, UK in 1986. Piloted by Test Pilot Robbie Robinson, G-MATP took off at 10:00 hrs. Despite poor weather conditions, the 2-hour, 40-minute flight was a complete success.
The ‘Advanced Turboprop’ (ATP) can trace its history back to the 1960s and the successful Hawker Siddeley HS 748. By the 1980s, the type was in need of a replacement. BAe chose to completely re-design the HS 748 and the ATP was born on March 1, 1984.
It featured a fuselage stretch to accommodate 64 passengers, read more ⇒
Source:: “Airways Magazine”