Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco could fill a market niche for a highly efficient 40 seat regional commuter aircraft. Deutsche Aircraft presented important updates on its D328eco programme at FIA 2024. The German Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) announced at the show, the start of the fuselage cut of the D328eco test aircraft at its Final Assembly Line in Leipzig. The company officials said this significant milestone sets the stage for the test aircraft’s maiden flight. The first test aircraft, TAC 1, will feature an extension of the D328 fuselage, allowing it to seat 40 passengers. Deutsche Aircraft has taken over the Type Certificate (TC) rights for the Dornier 328 platform (D328) and is now leveraging its capabilities to deliver the most advanced, energy-efficient and cost-effective regional aircraft.
This July, Deutsche Aircraft announced a revised Entry into Service (EIS) timeline for the D328eco, which is now set for EIS in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2027. The airframer said that it is also evaluating several new features and capabilities, including a further improvement of STOL (Short Take-off and Landing) performance, specifically in non-benign operational environments, combined with advanced avionics capabilities. Deutsche Aircraft is targeting regional air travel with the D328eco which is based on the D328-100, but has increased passenger capacity and hence requires specific structural updates.
The D328eco will be equipped with Pratt and Whitney PS127XT-S engines capable of operating on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) including Power-to-Liquids (PtL) fuel with zero aromatics. “The PW127XT-S provides airlines 40% more time on wing, a 20% reduction in maintenance costs with only two scheduled events over 10 years, and a 3% improvement in specific fuel consumption. We support Deutsche Aircraft’s vision of building a green aviation company and we’re confident that the PW127XT-S is the ideal match for the D328eco,” said Maria Della Posta, president, Pratt & Whitney Canada. The aircraft will have an operational ceiling of 30,000 feet.
The aircraft will also feature advanced avionics, allowing for single pilot operations, thereby allowing cost savings for its operators. The D328eco will feature a brand new flight deck, introduced for the first time on a sub 90-seater regional aircraft in the state-of-the-art Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck. This is the first newly designed flight deck for a sub-70 seater regional aircraft in this century. The G5000 integrated flight deck features touchscreen displays, helping to reduce flight crew workload and allowing them to simultaneously view important flight data linked to the G5000 such as maps, charts, checklists, electronic documents and manuals, flight plan information, traffic alerts, weather and more for quick and easy access in busy flight environments. Touchscreen overhead controls simplify the overhead panel with electronic circuit breakers, switches, and overall system status.
Deutsche Aircraft has also partnered with three Indian firms for the D328eco programme. This July, it announced a partnership with SASMOS HET Technologies, which will provide specialised design and development of Electrical Wiring Interconnection System (EWIS) for the D328eco. Earlier in March, it announced a partnership with Cyient to collaborate on the detailed design for manufacturing (DFM) of the rear fuselage section for the D328eco. ‘Our expertise in the aircraft design and development life cycle will play a crucial role in the development of the D328eco. Together, we look forward to driving advancements in aviation technology and contributing to the success of this transformative project,” said Karthikeyan Natarajan, Executive Director and CEO of Cyient. Bengaluru-based Dynamatic Technologies will produce the Rear Fuselage for the D328eco regional turboprop aircraft.
The Dorner 328 was originally manufactured in the 90s to early 2000s and the regional aircraft is currently certified in 85 countries and still in service with major airlines globally with over 150 in-service aircraft. Deutsche Aircraft has been providing global customer and product support for the D328 for nearly 20 years now. Those in India will be familiar with the now defunct Dornier aircraft company, as its older Do-228 is still manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at its plant in Kanpur.
