Deutsche Aircraft has revealed its first prototype aircraft, the D328eco. An aircraft built on the foundations of sustainable aviation. The revelation took place in their headquarters in Oberpfaffenhofen. The aircraft features enhanced performance including short takeoff and landing (STOL) and can operate in remote locations including extreme weather conditions.
Deutsche Aircraft and its mission in Sustainable Aviation
Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer that began operations on Dec. 7, 2020 as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Beginning in the mid 1980s, Dornier 328 (D328) is a turboprop powered commuter airliner manufactured by Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH, evolving over time under several brands such as Daimler-Benz group, Fairchild Dornier and AvCraft Aviation.
In 2006, 328 Support Services GmbH was founded and took over Type Certificate (TC) rights of the D328, a certificate that confirms the airworthiness of an aircraft under national law. It was 328 Support Services GmbH that Deutsche Regional Aircraft GmbH emerged from in 2011. It was then acquired by its parent company Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) in 2015. Deutsche Aircraft is aiming to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The D328eco is a 40-seat passenger aircraft that is compatible with sustainable-aviation fuel (SAF) and hydrogen-based fuels. The aircraft manufacturer’s main goal is the development of the D328eco.
Roll out of D328eco
In an announcement on May 28, 2025, Deutsche Aircraft unveiled the first D328eco (TAC 1) in Oberpfaffenhofen. The D328eco is an evolved version of the Dornier 328. Compared to the Dornier 328, it has enhanced performance, is more fuel efficient, and is designed to operate with reduced emissions, particularly when using SAF or hydrogen-based fuels while maintaining versatility and reliability. In the announcement, co-CEO of Deutsche Aircraft, Nico Neumann viewed the success of the prototype aircraft as a significant achievement, the aircraft marks their dedication to sustainable aviation. He said:
“The roll-out of our first test aircraft marks a significant achievement in the D328eco programme and an important step towards our physical flight test activities. This milestone represents our transition from conceptual design to practical testing and industrialization. At Deutsche Aircraft, we are proud to introduce an aircraft with the proven DNA of the Dornier 328, enhanced for better efficiency, reduced emissions and a superior customer experience, making it an optimal choice for regional operators worldwide.”
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