Deutsche Aircraft launches D328eco
On 7 December, Deutsche Aircraft announced the launch of the D328eco. Deutsche Aircraft is a new manufacturer and is partly owned by the Sierra Nevada Corporation and supported by the German government and 328 Support Services GmbH, a Sierra Nevada owned entity, which is holder of the Dornier 328 type-certificate.
The D328eco will be losely based on the original Dornier 328, but will feature a two meter longer fuselage, a new cabin design, a modern cockpit that could see single-pilot operations and new Pratt & Whitney PW127S-engines. Combined with sustainable aviation fuel, the aircraft could be operated with a much lower carbon footprint and sets the direction for zero-emission flights. The aircraft will be able to carry up to 43 passengers and can fly as fast as 600 km/hr. Deutsche Aircraft will also offer the aircraft in different configurations like medevac or other multi-role options and the D328eco would be able to operate from hot-and-high airports as well as unpaved fields.
Deutsche Aircraft is planning to establish a new, paperless, final assembly line (FAL) at Leipzig and expects that the D328eco would be rolled-out in 2025.
Photo by Deutsche Aircraft.