Deutsche Aircraft
| File:Deutsche Aircraft logo.svg | |
| Company type | Aircraft manufacturer |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany |
Key people | Nico Neumann (CEO) |
| Products | D328eco |
Number of employees |
|
| Parent | Sierra Nevada Corporation |
| Website | https://www.deutscheaircraft.com/ |
Deutsche Aircraft GmbH is an aircraft manufacturing company situated in the village of Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany.
History
The development of the Dornier 328 commenced in the mid-1980s, with the turboprop model entering commercial operations by October 1993.[1] Over time, the aircraft's design and concept were refined under various entities including Daimler-Benz, Fairchild Dornier, and AvCraft Aviation.[2]
In 2006, 328 Support Services GmbH (328SSG) was established and assumed ownership of the Type Certificate (TC) for the Dornier 328 (D328).[3] The US aerospace and engineering firm Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) acquired it in February 2015.[4]
Deutsche Aircraft commenced its activities as an OEM on December 7, 2020, supported by its parent company SNC. Its main office is located at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport, close to Munich.
Operations
As the principal parts provider for the Dornier 328 family, Deutsche Aircraft operates its Global Support Centre in Oberpfaffenhofen, delivering comprehensive technical and engineering assistance for the active D328 fleet.
Products
| Model name | First flight | Number built | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D328eco | TBA | 0 | Twin turboprop regional airliner |
D328eco
The D328eco is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, conceived as a stretched variant of the Do328. Initially planned for entry into service in 2026, its launch has been deferred to late 2027, primarily due to updated certification standards.[5] Designed to operate entirely on H2-SAF sustainable aviation fuel, it is expected to achieve a maximum cruising velocity of 324 knots.[6]
In developing the D328eco, Deutsche Aircraft partnered with numerous global aerospace suppliers, including Pratt & Whitney Canada,[7] Garmin,[8] Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse,[9] Aciturri,[10] Heggemann,[11] Triumph Group,[12] Rasakti,[13] Test-Fuchs,[14] and Akaer.[15]
Manufacturing of the D328eco will take place at the newly established final assembly facility situated at Leipzig/Halle Airport. This expansive site covers 62,000 m2 and is designed to produce up to 48 units annually. The complex comprises a production hall, an aircraft delivery hangar, a logistics hub, and administrative offices.[16]
The official groundbreaking event for this assembly line occurred in May 2023. At that time, Deutsche Aircraft also announced Private Wings as the inaugural customer for the D328eco, with an initial order comprising five aircraft.[16]
On 28 May 2025, TAC 1—the first prototype of the D328eco—was unveiled in Oberpfaffenhofen. This milestone marked a crucial progression toward securing type certification and commencing commercial operations.[17]
Research and development
Deutsche Aircraft’s numerous research initiatives focused on advancing future flight technologies and exploring innovative energy sources are integrated within the LuFo Klima Civil Aviation Research Programme. This initiative receives joint funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) and is developed collaboratively alongside prominent research and governmental bodies, including the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI).
D328 UPLIFT
In partnership with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Deutsche Aircraft is pioneering the world’s inaugural measurement flights behind a turboprop aircraft operating entirely on synthetic, aromatics-free fuel. This effort aims to minimize aviation’s carbon emissions as well as reduce particulate matter and climate-affecting condensation trails (contrails), thereby advancing climate-friendly aviation solutions.
Deutsche Aircraft will supply DLR with a dedicated research aircraft to serve as an airborne laboratory for testing environmentally sustainable aviation technologies. This platform will facilitate experimentation with fully synthetic fuels, hydrogen, and other potential sustainable energy sources. The flying testbed will be accessible not only to national industry leaders but also to small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and research organizations, allowing them to trial innovative eco-friendly systems, fuels, and propulsion methods under authentic flight conditions. This approach is intended to accelerate the real-world adoption of green aviation technologies.
Earlier flight experiments conducted by DLR in cooperation with NASA and Airbus demonstrated that sustainable biofuels can significantly decrease soot emissions, ice crystal formation, and contrail-induced global warming. The ongoing CLIM0ART project (Climate Impact-driven Emission and Contrail Measurements of 0 Aromatic fuels in Regional Turboprop Aircraft) is currently examining whether synthetic aromatics-free fuels can replicate these environmental benefits.
D328ALPHA
The D328ALPHA represents a unique modification of an existing D328 airframe designed to assess, develop, and flight-test emission-reducing technologies such as electric propulsion systems, fuel cells, and liquid hydrogen storage solutions. The programme’s goal is to advance innovations that contribute to lowering aviation’s environmental footprint.
See also
References
- ↑ "When the Dornier first entered service". Retrieved 2024-08-20.
- ↑ "Sierra Nevada Corporation Expands into Global Aircraft Markets through Investments in UK and Germany - SNC Acquires 328 Support Services GmbH (press release)". Sierra Nevada Corporation. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ↑ "FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet No. A45NM (PDF)" (PDF). 9 September 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ↑ Thisdell, Dan (18 February 2015). "New era for Dornier 328 with Sierra Nevada acquisition". Flight Global. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ↑ Steinke, Sebastian (2024-07-05). "Erweiterte Zulassung nach neuen Standards: D328eco-Indienststellung nun erst Ende 2027". www.flugrevue.de (in Deutsch). Retrieved 2024-08-16.
- ↑ "Deutsche Aircraft D328eco" (PDF). aircraft-commerce.com. July 2022. Retrieved 13 Nov 2025.
- ↑ Sampson, Ben (2022-06-24). "Deutsche Aircraft selects Pratt engine for D328eco". Aerospace Testing International. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
- ↑ Polek, Gregory (1 June 2021). "Garmin to Provide Avionics For Converted D328eco Airliner". Aviation International News. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ↑ Angrand, Antony (21 June 2023). "Liebherr supplies air system for Deutsche Aircraft's D328eco". Air & Cosmos International. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ↑ Tyrrell, Michael (21 July 2022). "Deutsche Aircraft selects Aciturri as aerostructures supplier". Aerospace Manufacturing. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ↑ "Deutsche Aircraft and Heggemann AG Announce the Production Readiness of the Dornier 328 Landing Gear". Aviation Pros. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
- ↑ Ohue, Justice (24 July 2025). "Triumph expands role as cable control supplier for Deutsche Aircraft D328eco". Travel Radar.
- ↑ Wilson, Calum (22 July 2025). "Deutsche Aircraft selects Rasakti to supply precision tooling and ground support equipment for D328eco". Airline Economics.
- ↑ Sampson, Ben (2 July 2025). "Test-Fuchs and Deutsche Aircraft test SAF-ready fuel system for D328eco". Aerospace Testing International.
- ↑ Padilha, Luiz (12 August 2025). "Akaer e Deutsche Aircraft inauguram linha de montagem da fuselagem dianteira do D328eco no Brasil". Defesa Aerea & Naval.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Deutsche Aircraft Breaks Ground At Leipzig/Halle Airport For The Final Assembly Line Of The World's Most Modern And Sustainable Turboprop: The New D328eco™". Mitteldeutsche Flughafen. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ↑ Munro, Rob (28 May 2025). "Deutsche Aircraft unveils D328eco". Lara News.