Deutsche Aircraft

Last updated
Deutsche Aircraft
Company type Aircraft manufacturer
Founded2020;5 years ago (2020)
Headquarters Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Key people
Dave Jackson (CEO) Nico Neumann (COO)
Products D328eco
Number of employees
  • 450 (2023)
  • 550 (2024)
Parent Sierra Nevada Corporation
Website https://www.deutscheaircraft.com/

Deutsche Regional Aircraft GmbH (branded simply as "Deutsche Aircraft") is a German aircraft manufacturer based in the village of Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany.

Contents

History

Render of D328eco The D328eco from Deutsche Aircraft.png
Render of D328eco

The Dornier 328 program began in the mid-1980s, with the turboprop entering commercial service in October 1993. [1] The concept for the aircraft evolved over the years under the Daimler-Benz group, Fairchild Dornier and AvCraft Aviation. [2]

In 2006, 328 Support Services GmbH (328SSG) was founded and took over the Type Certificate (TC) rights for the Dornier 328 (D328). [3] It was rebranded as Deutsche Regional Aircraft GmbH in 2011. [4] In February 2015, it was acquired by US aerospace and engineering company Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). [5]

Deutsche Aircraft began operations as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) on 7 December 2020, with the support of its parent company, SNC. The headquarters of Deutsche Aircraft is at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport, near Munich.

Operations

As the major supplier of parts for the Dornier 328 series, [4] Deutsche Aircraft's Global Support Centre in Oberpfaffenhofen provides technical and engineering support for the in-service fleet of D328 aircraft.

Products

Model nameFirst flightNumber builtType
D328eco 2025 [6] 0Twin turboprop regional airliner

D328eco

The D328eco is a double-engine turboprop, designed to be an elongated version of the Do328. It was scheduled to enter into service in 2026 which has been pushed back to late 2027, supposedly due to new certification requirements. [7] It is designed to run fully on H2-SAF sustainable fuel, and will have a maximum cruising speed of 324 knots. [8]

To develop the D328eco, Deutsche Aircraft collaborated with a number of suppliers within the global aviation sector, including Pratt & Whitney Canada, [9] Garmin, [10] Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse, [11] Aciturri, [12] and Heggemann. [13]  

The D328eco will be built at the new final assembly line at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The 62,000 m2 facility will have a production capacity of 48 D328eco aircraft per year, including a production hall, a hangar for aircraft delivery, a logistics centre and an administration building. [14]

The ground-breaking ceremony for the final assembly line took place in May 2023, and Deutsche Aircraft announced Private Wings as the launch customer for the D328eco, with an initial purchase of five aircraft. [14]

Research and development

Many of Deutsche Aircraft's research projects investigating future flight technologies and emerging energy sources are part of the LuFo Klima Civil Aviation Research Programme, [15] co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) and developed in conjunction with research and government institutions such as the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI).

D328 UPLIFT

Together with the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and Deutsche Aircraft are conducting the world's first measurement flights in the tailwind of a turboprop aircraft powered by 100 percent synthetic, aromatics-free fuel with the objective to reduce not only the carbon footprint of aviation, but also the particulate emissions and climate-impacting condensation trails – contrails – thus paving the way for climate-compatible aviation. [16]

As a platform of choice, Deutsche Aircraft will provide to DLR a research aircraft will be used as a flying test bed for environmentally friendly aviation technologies, for example for fully synthetic fuels or hydrogen as possible sustainable aviation fuels of the future. The flying DLR test laboratory is to be used by national industry, but also by small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups as well as research institutions, to test new, environmentally friendly system, fuel and propulsion technologies under real conditions and to significantly accelerate their practical application in aviation. [17]

Previous flight tests conducted by DLR in collaboration with NASA and Airbus have already shown that the use of sustainable biofuel leads to a reduction in soot particles, ice crystals and global warming caused by contrails. The CLIM0ART project (Climate Impact-driven Emission and Contrail Measurements of 0 Aromatic fuels in Regional Turboprop Aircraft) is now investigating whether similar effects can be achieved with synthetic aromatics-free fuels. [18]

D328APLHA

The D328ALPHA is a one-off modification to an existing D328 airframe and the objective of the programme is to evaluate, develop and flight-test technologies that will reduce aviation emissions, such as electric propulsion, fuel cells and liquid hydrogen storage. [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Contrail</span> Long, thin artificial clouds that sometimes form behind aircraft

Contrails or vapor trails are line-shaped clouds produced by aircraft engine exhaust or changes in air pressure, typically at aircraft cruising altitudes several kilometres/miles above the Earth's surface. They are composed primarily of water, in the form of ice crystals. The combination of water vapor in aircraft engine exhaust and the low ambient temperatures at high altitudes causes the trails' formation. Impurities in the engine exhaust from the fuel, including soot and sulfur compounds provide some of the particles that serve as cloud condensation nuclei for water droplet growth in the exhaust. If water droplets form, they can freeze to form ice particles that compose a contrail. Their formation can also be triggered by changes in air pressure in wingtip vortices, or in the air over the entire wing surface. Contrails, and other clouds caused directly by human activity, are called homogenitus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DASA</span> 1989–2000 German aerospace manufacturer

DASA was a German aerospace manufacturer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dornier Do 24</span> 1937 multi-role flying boat family by Dornier

The Dornier Do 24 is a 1930s German three-engine flying boat designed by the Dornier Flugzeugwerke for maritime patrol and search and rescue. A total of 279 were built among several factories from 1937 to 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">German Aerospace Center</span> German research center for aerospace and power engineering

The German Aerospace Center is the national center for aerospace, energy and transportation research of Germany, founded in 1969. It is headquartered in Cologne with 35 locations throughout Germany. The DLR is engaged in a wide range of research and development projects in national and international partnerships.

Oberpfaffenhofen is a village that is part of the municipality of Weßling in the district of Starnberg, Bavaria, Germany. It is located about 23 km (14 mi) from the city center of Munich.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dornier 228</span> Transport aircraft family by Dornier

The Dornier 228 is a twin-turboprop STOL utility aircraft, designed and first manufactured by Dornier GmbH from 1981 until 1998. 245 were built in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. In 1983, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) bought a production licence and manufactured another 125 aircraft in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. In July 2017, 63 aircraft were still in airline service.

The Fairchild Dornier 728/928 family is a series of jet-powered regional airliners that was being developed by German-American aviation conglomerate Fairchild Dornier.

Arcus-Air GmbH & Co. KG is a German airline company. Arcus Executive Aviation is based in Zweibrücken, Germany and Arcus Air Logistics in Troisdorf, Germany operating chartered cargo and corporate flights out of Mannheim City Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Private Wings</span> German airline

Private Wings Flugcharter GmbH is a German charter airline that was founded in 1991 and operates chartered corporate, cargo and air ambulance services out of Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Its head office is located in the General Aviation Terminal on the property of Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Schönefeld, Brandenburg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dornier 328</span> Regional airliner family by Dornier

The Dornier 328 is a turboprop-powered commuter airliner. Initially produced by Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH, the firm was acquired in 1996 by Fairchild Aircraft. The resulting firm, named Fairchild-Dornier, manufactured the 328 family in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, conducted sales from San Antonio, Texas, United States, and supported the product line from both locations. A jet-powered version of the aircraft, the Fairchild Dornier 328JET, was also produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairchild Dornier 328JET</span> Regional airliner

The Fairchild-Dornier 328JET is a commuter airliner, based upon the turboprop-powered Dornier 328, developed by the German aircraft manufacturer Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH. It would be the last Dornier-designed aircraft to reach production before the company's collapse during the early 2000s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mannheim City Airport</span> Minor regional airport in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Mannheim City Airport is a minor regional airport serving the German city of Mannheim. It is mainly used for general aviation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Environmental impact of aviation</span> Effect of emissions from aircraft engines

Aircraft engines produce gases, noise, and particulates from fossil fuel combustion, raising environmental concerns over their global effects and their effects on local air quality. Jet airliners contribute to climate change by emitting carbon dioxide, the best understood greenhouse gas, and, with less scientific understanding, nitrogen oxides, contrails and particulates. Their radiative forcing is estimated at 1.3–1.4 that of CO2 alone, excluding induced cirrus cloud with a very low level of scientific understanding. In 2018, global commercial operations generated 2.4% of all CO2 emissions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydrogen-powered aircraft</span> Type of airplane

A hydrogen-powered aircraft is an aeroplane that uses hydrogen fuel as a power source. Hydrogen can either be burned in a jet engine or another kind of internal combustion engine, or can be used to power a fuel cell to generate electricity to power an electric propulsor. It cannot be stored in a traditional wet wing, and hydrogen tanks have to be housed in the fuselage or be supported by the wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RUAG</span> Swiss company specializing in aerospace engineering and the defense industry

RUAG Holding is a Swiss company specialising in aerospace engineering and the defence industry. Its headquarters are located in Bern, while it also has numerous production sites in Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, Austria and United States, and sales companies in Australia, UK, France, Belgium, Brazil and Malaysia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dornier Do 28</span> German twin-engine STOL utility aircraft

The type designation Dornier Do 28 comprises two different twin-engine STOL utility aircraft, manufactured by Dornier Flugzeugbau GmbH. Most of them served with the German Air Force and Marineflieger and other air forces around the world in the communications and utility role. The Do 28 series consists of the fundamentally different Do 28 A/B (1959) and Do 28 D Skyservant (1966).

Sierra Nevada Corporation is an American aerospace, defense, electronics, engineering and manufacturing corporation that specializes in aircraft modification, integration and other space technologies. The corporation contracts with the Defense Department, NASA, and private spaceflight companies. The corporation is headquartered in Sparks, Nevada, and has 36 locations in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Turkey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fuel economy in aircraft</span> Aircraft fuel efficiency

The fuel economy in aircraft is the measure of the transport energy efficiency of aircraft. Fuel efficiency is increased with better aerodynamics and by reducing weight, and with improved engine brake-specific fuel consumption and propulsive efficiency or thrust-specific fuel consumption. Endurance and range can be maximized with the optimum airspeed, and economy is better at optimum altitudes, usually higher. An airline efficiency depends on its fleet fuel burn, seating density, air cargo and passenger load factor, while operational procedures like maintenance and routing can save fuel.

MHS Aviation GmbH is a German charter airline headquartered in Oberhaching, Bavaria. MHS Aviation is based at nearby Munich Airport, Special Airport Oberpfaffenhofen as well as Mannheim City Airport. The company specializes in aircraft charter, aircraft management, aircraft lease and VIP service. It currently operates a fleet of 20 charter aircraft. The majority of the fleet consists of business aircraft. In addition, one Dornier 328 aircraft was operated for the now defunct Rhein-Neckar Air on a scheduled domestic service.

A hybrid electric aircraft is an aircraft with a hybrid electric powertrain. As the energy density of lithium-ion batteries is much lower than aviation fuel, a hybrid electric powertrain may effectively increase flight range compared to pure electric aircraft. By May 2018, there were over 30 hybrid electric aircraft projects, and short-haul hybrid-electric airliners were envisioned from 2032.

References

  1. ↑ "When the Dornier first entered service" . Retrieved 2024-08-20.
  2. ↑ "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.
  3. ↑ "FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet No. A45NM (PDF)" (PDF). 9 September 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  4. 1 2 Sampson, Ben (11 October 2021). "328 Services renames to Deutsche Aircraft for aircraft development". Aerospace Testing International. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  5. ↑ Thisdell, Dan (18 February 2015). "New era for Dornier 328 with Sierra Nevada acquisition". Flight Global. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  6. ↑ Perry, Dominic (5 July 2024). "Deutsche Aircraft delays D328eco service entry until late 2027". www.flightglobal.com/. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  7. ↑ Steinke, Sebastian (2024-07-05). "Erweiterte Zulassung nach neuen Standards: D328eco-Indienststellung nun erst Ende 2027". www.flugrevue.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  8. ↑ https://www.aircraft-commerce.com/wp-content/uploads/aircraft-commerce-docs/General%20Articles/2022/142_DEVELOP.pdf
  9. ↑ Sampson, Ben (2022-06-24). "Deutsche Aircraft selects Pratt engine for D328eco". Aerospace Testing International. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
  10. ↑ Polek, Gregory (1 June 2021). "Garmin to Provide Avionics For Converted D328eco Airliner". Aviation International News (AIN). Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  11. ↑ Angrand, Antony (21 June 2023). "Liebherr supplies air system for Deutsche Aircraft's D328eco". Air & Cosmos International. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  12. ↑ Tyrrell, Michael (21 July 2022). "Deutsche Aircraft selects Aciturri as aerostructures supplier". Aerospace Manufacturing. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  13. ↑ "Deutsche Aircraft and HEGGEMANN AG Announce the Production Readiness of the Dornier 328 Landing Gear". Aviation Pros. 10 August 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  14. 1 2 "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.
  15. ↑ "The federal aviation research programme LuFo Climate". German Aerospace Center (DLR). Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  16. ↑ Perry2024-10-02T11:03:00+01:00, Dominic. "DLR performs emissions-measurement first with UpLift aircraft". Flight Global. Retrieved 2024-11-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ "Drive". www.dlr.de. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  18. ↑ "Climate-compatible aviation: flying lab measures emissions from turboprop using 100 percent synthetic fuel for first time". www.dlr.de. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  19. ↑ Whitaker, Greg (2023-10-06). "Wind tunnel testing complete on Deutsche Aircraft prototype". Aviation Business News. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.