At its Oberpfaffenhofen site, Deutsche Aircraft presented the first test aircraft of the D328eco (TAC 1). The event attracted representatives from politics and business, including Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder and the Managing Director of the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI), Marie-Christine von Hahn.
The D328eco is based on the well-known Dornier 328 and is intended to impress in the regional aircraft class with improved efficiency and performance. The presentation marks an important step toward a potential revival of passenger aircraft development and production in Germany.
Political support and industrial expectations
Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder praised the project as a significant milestone for Bavaria as a center of aviation and pledged the state's continued support. He emphasized Bavaria's long tradition in the aviation industry and its investments in research and development. Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger also emphasized the importance of the Bavarian aerospace industry.
Marie-Christine von Hahn of the BDLI underlined the potential signal effect of the D328eco for the entire German aviation industry.
D328eco: Evolution or revolution of the regional aircraft class?
Deutsche Aircraft emphasizes that the D328eco builds on the proven foundation of the Dornier 328 and incorporates modern technologies to improve efficiency, emissions, and the customer experience. The company highlights the targeted higher fuel efficiency (40 to 50 percent more economical than comparable current regional jets), optimized operational performance even on shorter and more demanding runways, and the integration of modern avionics and manufacturing processes.
However, it remains to be seen to what extent the D328eco can truly set new standards in the highly competitive regional aircraft class. The market is dominated by established manufacturers and their products. Its actual fuel efficiency and operational reliability have yet to be proven in flight operations. The planned entry into service date of late 2027 also seems ambitious considering the usual timeframes for certification of new aircraft types.
Next steps: test campaign and certification
With the presentation of the first test aircraft, Deutsche Aircraft now begins its flight testing phase. The goal is to obtain type certification by the end of 2027. A total of three test aircraft will be used for this purpose, with series production planned for the future at the new final assembly line in Leipzig. Close cooperation with the regulatory authorities and industry partners will be crucial to the success of this project.
The D328eco is positioned as a further development of a well-known aircraft type that integrates modern technologies. Whether this approach is sufficient to prevail in a demanding market environment and fulfill the expectations of a "world's most modern regional aircraft in its class" remains to be seen. The test campaign that now follows will provide important data and insights to assess the true potential of the D328eco.
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