Deutsche Aircraft NEWS

Bodø/Munich, 25 April 2024 – While Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) play a crucial role in achieving climate-neutral aviation, investments in e-fuel production in the European Economic Area (EEA) are still lacking in ambition. In response to this, German aircraft OEM Deutsche Aircraft, Energi i Nord (North Energy Cluster), BLU (Bodø Lufthavnutvikling) and Bodø Municipality hosted a two-day conference to discuss scaling up e-fuel production capacity with key stakeholders from the energy and aviation industries on April 24 and 25.

The ReFuelEU Aviation regulation mandates increasing shares of SAF in the European fuel mix to reach a requirement of 70% in 2050 and a 35% sub-mandate for e-kerosene.

Transport & Environment has been tracking the development of the e-kerosene market in Europe. By its latest count, the NGO identified a total of 50 e-kerosene projects in the EEA, including 30 large-scale industrial projects and 20 smaller pilot projects.

Given that the required e-fuel production capacity is not on track to meet the blending mandates outlined in the RefuelEU regulation, the objective of this conference was to discuss the commercial hurdles that need to be overcome to scale SAF and e-fuel production capacity. The participants of the events were key stakeholders from the public sector, airports, SAF producers, financiers and airlines.

“While momentum seems to be building in the European e-kerosene market, it is important to note that none of the major projects have reached final investment decisions (FID) yet, and many projects are still running feasibility studies,” observed Marte van der Graaf, Aviation Policy Officer at Transport & Environment.

Jan-Hendrik Petersen, Managing Director at 360 Asset Finance, added, “A simple, back-of-the-envelope calculation shows that if we apply the 70% SAF ReFuelEU blending mandate to global jet fuel demand in 2050, aviation will need approximately 350 billion litres of SAF. This translates to roughly 2,800 production facilities with an average capacity of 100,000t/a. Starting today, we would have to build about 110 plants every year at an average cost of roughly USD $1 billion per facility.”

“Air transport is central to national and international connectivity and the transition to more environmentally friendly aviation, including increased use of SAF, is not only desirable, but necessary to contribute to national and international climate goals,” remarked Bent-Joacim Bentzen, Norwegian Deputy Minister for Transportation. “To facilitate this transition, the Norwegian Ministry of transport, together with Avinor, the Civil Aviation Authority, the trade union (LO) and the association for companies (NHO), have established a collaborative forum. Furthermore, in the recently published National Transport Plan 2025-2036, 1 billion NOK has been prioritised to accelerate the transition to a greener aviation sector. The blending mandate for SAF, where Norway has taken an early lead, will also be important. We are clearly at the beginning of a challenging journey. Still, we believe Northern Norway can play a central role by maturing e-fuel production to enable the decarbonisation of aviation."

The discussion focused on the need for more access to SAF financing. Risk-return profiles are still not attractive for investors and are perceived as too complex with insufficient risk mitigation tools. This holds especially true for e-kerosene, which offers scalability and the significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions but poses higher risks for investors due to its lower maturity in comparison to other SAF pathways.

“It is important to realise that we are not on track with scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuels to secure aviation's societal license to operate,” stated Ulrike Ziegler, President of the Board, Impact on Sustainable Aviation. “During the conference, we discussed the key obstacles, from the complexity and instability of the policy landscape and the need for tangible, long-term offtake agreements, to the importance of adequate risk mitigation and financing instruments to support first-of-its-kind e-fuel projects. In addition to ensuring that relevant stakeholders from the broader supply chain, including policymakers, collaborate to develop risk mitigation measures, the industry must also step up the education of the passengers to get their buy-in.”

During the conference, several SAF producers also showcased promising e-fuel projects, such as Norsk e-Fuel, which is building a 50 million litre production plant in Mosjøen that will commence full-scale production after 2026.

“A key success factor for e-fuel projects is the early involvement of value-chain partners and local stakeholders,” observed Ida Larsen, Head of R&D, Norsk e-Fuel. “The offtake agreement with Norwegian Air Shuttle and their investment in our company is one example and shows how we are moving the project forward.”

“Globally, SAF will be short in supply for a long time, but regions such as Northern Norway have the potential to see significantly higher blend ratios, making the region an ideal place for pioneering near-climate-neutral regional aviation,” remarked Regina Pouzolz, Director of Sustainability at Deutsche Aircraft. “Join us at the ILA Future Lab at ILA Berlin on 5 June 2024 if you want to learn how we are reshaping regional aviation with our exciting and fruitful partnership.”

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Press Contact

Christian Puerschel

Head of Communications & PR

Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

Hyderabad/Munich, 27 March 2024 – Cyient, a global company offering intelligent engineering and technology solutions, is announcing a strategic partnership with Deutsche Aircraft, a German original equipment manufacturer (OEM) located in Weßling, close to Munich. Within the scope of this partnership, the companies will collaborate on the detailed design for manufacturing (DFM) of the rear fuselage section for the 40-seater D328eco regional turboprop aircraft.

Designed to operate along regional routes, the D328eco is a highly fuel-efficient aircraft that is an upgraded version of the Dornier 328 series. With an increased passenger capacity, the aircraft requires specific structural updates. The D328eco is expected to revolutionise regional air travel and become the benchmark of aviation with its advanced features, unmatched versatility and operational flexibility in the most challenging environments to connect regions and people.

“We are excited about our collaboration with Deutsche Aircraft to support the development of the D328eco aircraft. This partnership underscores Cyient's commitment to delivering innovative engineering solutions in the aerospace sector. 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,” says Karthikeyan Natarajan, Executive Director and CEO of Cyient.

"We are thrilled to be working with Cyient,” remarks Dave Jackson, Chief Executive Officer at Deutsche Aircraft. “Their vast experience in the Aerospace & Defence industry was one of the key factors in contracting them to be responsible for the design of the rear fuselage section as part of our D328eco aircraft development programme.”

Maximilian Fahr, Vice President of Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft, also expressed his enthusiasm about the company's partnership with Cyient, stating, “This agreement represents a strong commitment to India. This new partnership with Cyient will enable Deutsche Aircraft to work with the best in the field and further enhance the development of the D328eco in a competitive setting.”

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‍Press Contact

Christian Pürschel

Head of Communications & PR

Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

The regional aviation landscape in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is experiencing a major shift, with passenger demand increasing due to rapid economic growth in the middle class. In recent years, operators in the region have placed large aircraft orders and are continuing to seek solutions that will reduce environmental impact and address the challenge of escalating fuel costs. Enter the D328eco, a revolutionary turboprop that is poised to redefine regional aviation and pave the way towards a greener future.

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What Is Driving the Change in Regional Aviation?‍

The primary role of regional aviation is to act as a feeder service for mainline operators and establish connections with developing cities and communities. The investment value of new airport projects in the APAC region is at least double that of any other market with a  specific focus on developing new routes to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. This shows the strong economic and market-driven demand for regional aircraft.

To cater to the growing demand, regional jets that are  too old or outdated for the operational and environmental requirements of today must be replaced by a next-generation turboprop aircraft that is  built for regional aviation. In fact, the turboprop market was the first segment to recover after the COVID downturn and since 2022, the use of regional turboprops has risen above the pre-COVID rates.

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The APAC region is home to a huge fleet of sub-50-seater turboprops that are more than 30 years old and have a replacement timeline that falls within the next decade. In fact, there are more than 100 aircraft in this category in Oceania alone.

Airlines are currently grappling with skyrocketing fuel costs that are squeezing profit margins and hindering growth. Turboprops will help to optimise operations as they are 10% to 30% more fuel efficient than jet aircraft.

The environmental footprint of aviation accounts for approximately 4% of global CO2 emissions and the industry is looking for a permanent solution to address these environmental concerns. With 100% SAF compatibility, the fuel efficiency of the D328eco makes it a ready-made solution.

‍The D328eco: A Sustainable Revolution

Developed by Deutsche Aircraft, the D328eco isn't just another turboprop: it is a highly efficient game-changer designed with sustainability at its core. Here's how it will surpass expectations compared to other turboprops currently on the market.

Risk-free option to open new routes: The APAC region is a price-sensitive market. The D328eco has the lowest break-even factor which will help operators to open new routes to address rising demands in remote regions where the majority of new airports are being built.

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Operational flexibility: The APAC region has a diverse range of geographical features such as archipelagos and high mountain ranges, and the D328eco will allow airlines to meet these operational requirements. More importantly, the inherent STOL capabilities of the D328eco allows it to operate with a load factor of 75% from runways that are 800 metres long and/or unpaved, easily operating above its break-even load factor.

Unmatched fuel efficiency: The D328eco boasts impressive fuel efficiency, leveraging the advanced technology of PW127XT-S engines and a meticulously crafted aerodynamic design. This translates to significant cost savings for airlines, including:

- 40% longer time-on-wing (engine overhaul increased to 20,000 FH*)

- At least 20% lower fuel consumption at long range cruise speed (compared to other turboprops in the market)

- 3% lower fuel burn (vs previous generation)

Quieter cabin & skies: Built on the legacy of the D328®, which is the quietest turboprop in its category, the D328eco will have the lowest noise levels of any turboprop, making it competitive with jets. The aircraft deploys passive noise cancellation which will allow passengers to enjoy a quieter experience, while also making it a welcome neighbour in smaller communities that are dependent on regional air travel by minimising noise disturbances.

Spacious & comfortable: The bright, spacious cabin has been developed to meet the unique needs of regional aviation. Robust enough to withstand the cyclical demands of regional air travel while being easy to maintain, its state-of-the-art features include comfortable seats with in-seat power, plenty of space for carry-on luggage, a fully equipped galley and optional Wi-Fi and in-flight connectivity solutions.

Advanced cockpit: The revolutionary Garmin® Companion integrated flight deck offers superior situational awareness and increased efficiency for pilots, while significantly reducing maintenance costs and improving reliability.

Lightweight design: Utilising advanced composite materials such as carbon fibre, the aircraft sheds weight, further reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Flexible operational capabilities: Capable of taking off and landing on 800 metre runways (@ 70% load factor), the D328eco has an optional gravel kit and can also operate on unpaved runways, helping to improve connectivity with remote areas and islands across the APAC region. The D328eco also has the higher service ceiling and faster climb-rate in icing conditions than other turboprops in the market, helping airlines to operate in difficult conditions and around tall peaks in the region.

100% SAF/e-Fuel ready: Leading the charge towards a truly sustainable future, the D328eco is fully compatible with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Power-to-Liquids (PtL) which are cleaner and more practical alternatives to conventional Jet A-1 fuel. As SAF production ramps up, the D328eco is ready and available to embrace its full potential.

These advantages translate to significant cost savings for airlines and a quieter experience for passengers and communities, while also offering substantial benefits for the environment.

‍More Than Just Sustainability: Business Benefits

While sustainability and fuel efficiency are paramount, the D328eco isn't just an eco-warrior. It's also a smart business decision for airlines. Here’s why.

Lower operating costs: Fuel savings and reduced maintenance needs (52% less than older generation aircraft) translate to lower operating costs, boosting profitability. Deutsche Aircraft estimates up to a 11% reduction in direct operating costs for airlines and a 14% decrease in fuel consumption per passenger with the D328eco.

Route profitability: The efficiency of the D328eco will open up new and previously unprofitable routes thanks to its 30,000ft service ceiling (highest for a turboprop), 600km/h cruise speed (fastest for a turboprop) which is closer to the speed of a regional jet, low break-even factor and longer range (up to 655 nautical miles @ FL300, ISA), which will expand networks and attract new passengers.

‍The Future of Regional Flights Is Just Around the Corner

The D328eco isn't just a glimpse into the future; it is set to take flight in 2027. Airlines that pre-order this 21st century turboprop will reap the benefits of early adoption and position themselves as leaders in sustainable aviation, reducing CO2 emissions by 22% if they continue to use Jet A-1 fuel or up to 95% with SAF-PtL. In addition, the aviation industry is moving towards stricter environmental regulations, making the D328eco a future-proof investment.

The D328eco is more than just an aircraft; it's a symbol of change. It represents a commitment to a cleaner future in regional aviation with higher operational efficiency and a better return on investment for airlines. If you're an airline CEO or decision-maker looking for a solution that balances sustainability, profitability and innovation, the D328eco is the answer. Contact us today and join us as we shape the future of regional aviation.

*Based on 60 minute mission in benign environment (vs 14,000 FH)

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References

CH-Aviation (2023) Overview of all aircraft on order worldwide. Available at https://about.ch-aviation.com/blog/2023/06/19/ch-aviation-report-aircraft-on-order-worldwide/ (Accessed 13 March 2024)

Deutsche Aircraft, (2023) D328eco: The Turboprop (R)evolution. [brochure]

Williams, D. (2024) Flight Friday: 2023 In Review. Available at: https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/aircraft-propulsion/flight-friday-2023-review (Accessed 13 March 2024)

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We have navigated through the first three months of 2024 with flying colours as we continue to drive our mission to new heights. Let’s look back at some of the key highlights from this quarter:

Team Development: Our diverse team of aviation professionals at Deutsche Aircraft develops further! We currently have a workforce of 500+ individuals from around the world and continue to attract top talent with a background in aviation and aerospace.

Sustainable Future Flights: The German Federal Government Coordinator for Aerospace Policy, Dr. Anna Christmann, visited the UpLift test laboratory at our HQ in Oberpfaffenhofen in February to see the progress of the UpLift project. Deutsche Aircraft are currently transforming an in-service D328-100 aircraft into a flying test bed for future propulsion, fuel and system technologies. The fully converted aircraft will make its debut at ILA Berlin in June 2024. Deutsche Aircraft has also become a joint leader in the “CAvIA” federal aviation research programme, which launched in January with the aim of making aviation more environmentally friendly through intelligent avionics.

D328eco™ Progress: We have reached two additional milestones for our sustainable 40-seater turboprop for the forward and rear fuselage by contracting suppliers from Brazil and India: Brazilian aerospace and engineering company AKAER will manufacture the forward fuselage and Dynamatic Technologies, based in India, will manufacture the rear fuselage of the aircraft. Market demand is strong and we are making significant progress on our customer order book.

Market Strategy: As part of our market positioning strategy, we have launched our Mandarin website to promote our D328eco regional turboprop in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The website will serve as a gateway for users across the Chinese-speaking market to access information about Deutsche Aircraft and the D328eco. Our work has been featured in a number of leading aviation publications in the APAC region, creating additional brand awareness in the Indian and Australian markets. Thanks to the growing GDP in the APAC region, there is significant potential demand for our product in this market.

Aftermarket Support for the D328®: We continue to support our in-service family of D328® aircraft in active operations. One of the key operators, NL EASP Air, was recently on-site in Oberpfaffenhofen with their complete fleet of D328® turboprops for maintenance support. This was the first time that the we had the crews of all NL EASP Air aircraft here on our premises.

Strong Regional Partnerships: Deutsche Aircraft are part of the bavAIRia Cluster for Aeronautics, Aerospace and Aerospace Applications. Due to our strategic location at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport, we have a strong brand presence and contribute to the aviation value chain in the region. We also recently hosted the Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery, Dr. Florian Herrmann, at our headquarters.

We have kicked off the first quarter with great milestones, are gaining traction in the APAC region and look forward to building more brand awareness as we expand into other markets. As 2024 unfolds, we are grateful for your continued support as we work together to bring the D328eco to market.

Best wishes,

Dave Jackson

CEO, Deutsche Aircraft‍

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Weßling/Bangalore, 13 March, 2024 - Dynamatic Technologies Limited is proud to announce a new partnership with Deutsche Aircraft, the German OEM based in Münich, Germany. The collaboration focuses on producing the Rear Fuselage for the 40-seater D328eco regional turboprop aircraft. This marks a significant moment for the "Make in India” initiative and will bring work to the highly capable ecosystem here.

The contract signifies an important milestone as Deutsche Aircraft and Dynamatic work together to manufacture the D328eco, a sustainable regional turboprop. This modern, fuel-efficient aircraft is designed to serve regional routes and is set to revolutionise regional air travel globally. With its spacious cabin and superior performance capabilities, the D328eco offers exceptional design, features and operational flexibility.

Mr. Udayant Malhoutra, CEO and Managing Director of Dynamatic Technologies, expressed his pleasure in the collaboration, saying, "We are excited to partner with Deutsche Aircraft on the production of the rear fuselage for the D328eco aircraft. Dynamatic's expertise in aerospace engineering and manufacturing combined with Deutsche Aircraft's vision for innovation in regional air transport will pave the way for a successful partnership."

Mr. Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft, said, “By partnering with Dynamatic Technologies, we are excited to team up with a key global player with its fast-growing aviation and aerospace industry as well as contributing to the “Make in India” initiative to make India a key global hub for the aviation supply chain. Dynamatic Technologies is one of the most important aerospace suppliers for global commercial OEMs. It has an extensive track record in the aerospace industry and will be a significant partner for the manufacturing of the D328eco.”

Maximilan Fahr, Vice President Supply Chain of Deutsche Aircraft, added, “This partnership with Dynamatic Technologies signifies our ability to cooperate with the best in the field and further leverage our supply chain resilience. As India is a key market for us in the APAC region, we are excited about this collaboration that represents a long-term commitment in India.”  

Both Deutsche Aircraft and Dynamatic are committed to the success of this partnership and the future of the D328eco aircraft programme. The signing of this contract marks a significant step forward in bringing this innovative aircraft to market.

About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to propel the aviation industry forward with innovative solutions. Supported by a highly skilled and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco. As type certificate holder and service partner for existing D328 (both prop and jet) operators worldwide, the company is uniquely positioned to complement the existing fleet with this next-generation aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft employs the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner for the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft is working with key players in the industry to achieve climate-neutral flights. www.deutscheaircraft.com

Press Contact

Christian Pürschel
Head of Communications
Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

About Dynamatic Technologies Limited

Dynamatic Technologies designs and builds highly engineered products for automotive, aeronautic, hydraulic and security applications. With futuristic design, engineering and manufacturing facilities in Europe and India, we are able to meet customers' exacting requirements on six continents.

Our facilities which are located in India (Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Nasik), the United Kingdom (Swindon, Bristol) and Germany (Schwarzenberg), are lean, green and clean, and designed to support neighbouring communities as well as the environment.

With three design laboratories in India and Europe, Dynamatic Technologies is a leading private R&D organisation, with numerous inventions and patents to its credit. The company and its subsidiaries employ around 50 scientists and 500 engineers with expertise in mechanical engineering, advanced computer aided engineering, materials & metallurgical engineering, fluid dynamics and defence & aerospace research.

Dynamatic Technologies is vertically integrated, with its own alloy-making and casting capabilities as well as its own captive green energy sources.

For more information, visit https://www.dynamatics.com/

Contact Details

Amarnath M. Harihar
AGM – Corporate Communications
Email: amar.hm@dynamatics.net

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Weßling/São José dos Campos, 11 March 2024 – Akaer, an aerospace and engineering company that is a leader in innovation, has been selected by German OEM Deutsche Aircraft to manufacture the forward fuselage of the D328eco, the sustainable 40-seater turboprop aircraft for the regional aviation market. Akaer will be responsible for the manufacturing of the forward fuselage, including industrialisation, tooling, prototype and related studies.

Collaboration and commitment

Akaer's agreement with Deutsche Aircraft is a significant achievement that strengthens its position in the global aerospace industry. Deutsche Aircraft has recognised Akaer's expertise in design engineering and the comprehensive assembly of the forward fuselage as decisive advantages. This premier Brazilian company is capable of designing and delivering large structural assemblies for the aerospace industry worldwide and Brazil has solidified its position as the third-largest aircraft manufacturer in the world.

"The D328eco signifies a major milestone in global aviation, heralding more sustainable and efficient flights. For Akaer, being a part of this significant project and playing a fundamental role in producing the forward fuselage is a source of great pride, further solidifying our position as a Tier 1 company," stated Cesar Silva, CEO of Akaer.

"The commitment and experience showcased by Akaer throughout this process was pivotal in our decision-making, Akaer is one of the key players in the Brazilian Aerospace industry which is why we are excited to collaborate on this project for the front fuselage which is a milestone in the D328eco programme," emphasised Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft.

“This collaboration underscores the acknowledgment of Akaer's excellence and 32 years of experience in the aeronautical industry. The selection process was meticulous. We considered Akaer's commitment, customer focus and exemplary experience, which were instrumental in securing this significant project for the D328eco programme.” remarked Maximilan Fahr, Vice President Supply Chain of Deutsche Aircraft.

A booming aviation market

Brazil has the 5th largest airspace in the world and is currently focused on the expansion of regional aviation. Around US$ 600 million has been invested to connect the vast community by air and this collaboration will support Brazil’s initiatives to enhance its expertise and capacity in both regional aviation and aerospace manufacturing.

With the 2nd largest general aviation fleet in the world, Brazil has the potential to upgrade with the multi-role configuration of the D328eco, which can cater to its executive, aeromedical and agricultural aviation demands. The turboprop market share in Brazil has grown by 344% over the last 10 years.

The remarkable versatility of the D328eco multi role configuration allows it to be tailored for diverse operations, including passenger transport, rescue missions, military operations, forest firefighting and aeromedical services. Its exceptional flight characteristics and adaptability enable it to access destinations with short, unpaved runways, even in the most challenging weather conditions.

The D328eco boasts the lowest fuel consumption and pollutant emissions in the industry. It will be fully compatible with 100% SAF-PtL and other fuel blends, which means the aircraft will offer customers maximum flexibility when it comes to energy supply options.

The first delivery of the D328eco forward fuselage is scheduled for the end of 2025 and will initially be produced in Brazil at the facilities in São José dos Campos.
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About Akaer

Leveraging 32 years of expertise, Akaer has amassed over 8 million hours of dedicated engineering work in the development of aircraft systems and structures. Actively contributing to over 50 globally recognised projects, Akaer has consistently demonstrated its commitment to excellence in the aerospace industry.

The company has a rich history of collaboration with Embraer, actively contributing to the Brazilian manufacturer’s key projects, such as the KC-390 multi-mission aircraft.

The company has also played an important role in the development of Gripen E fighters for the Brazilian Air Force, collaborating closely with the Swedish company Saab. In addition, the company has been actively involved in the Hürjet supersonic fighter project, initiated by the Turkish Aerospace Industry. Designed for advanced training and light attack missions, this aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight in April 2023.

Akaer is situated within the Technological Innovation Park in São José dos Campos (SP), and maintains commercial offices in Portugal and Turkey. The company has recently announced plans for its second production unit in the Bahia Aerospace Technology Park in Salvador, Brazil.

About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to propel the aviation industry forward with innovative solutions. Supported by a highly skilled and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco. As type certificate holder and service partner for existing D328 (both prop and jet) operators worldwide, the company is uniquely positioned to complement the existing fleet with this next-generation aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft employs the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner for the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft is working with key players in the industry to achieve climate-neutral flights.  

Press Contact

Christian Pürschel
Head of Communications & PR
Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

Weßling, 29 February 2024 – Deutsche Aircraft, a leading aircraft manufacturer, is pleased to announce the arrival of NL EASP AIR's complete fleet of D328® turboprop aircraft at its hangar at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport. NL EASP AIR, a renowned Dutch operator, specialises in providing global services for aerial maritime surveillance, coast guard operations, search and rescue (SAR) missions, ISR operations and special mission charter support. Their fleet of special mission aircraft, equipped with advanced sensors and systems, plays a crucial role in fulfilling these critical tasks.

Based at Schiphol International Airport (EHAM) and Den Helder Airport (EHKD), NL EASP AIR has chosen Deutsche Aircraft as their trusted partner for maintenance and support services. The entire fleet of three D328® turboprops is undergoing maintenance at the Deutsche Aircraft hangar, providing an opportunity for the crew of both organisations to meet and strengthen their partnership.

As one of the key European operators of the D328®, NL EASP AIR relies on the maintenance support of Deutsche Aircraft to ensure uninterrupted operations. NL EASP AIR's partners include prestigious organisations such as Frontex (the European Borderand Coast Guard Agency), ESA, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) and OEMs.

Nico Neumann, COO of Deutsche Aircraft, highlighted the long-standing partnership between Deutsche Aircraft and NL EASP Air, stating, "The high-quality support services provided by Deutsche Aircraft not only guarantees the excellent performance of the D328® but also ensures first-rate dispatch reliability in many commuter and charter operations across the globe. NL EASP AIR is one of the key operators benefitting from our proven customer and product support, which enables outstanding mission readiness in demanding, non-standard operations, such as border security, sea surveillance, air ambulance services and special mission roles."

Pieter Voeten, CEO of NL EASP AIR, expressed his satisfaction with Deutsche Aircraft's support and emphasised the importance of their partnership, stating, "To carry out our critical tasks, NL EASP AIR relies on the D328® special mission turboprop aircraft which is equipped with advanced sensors and systems. The long-standing customer and product support provided by Deutsche Aircraft ensures the safe and cost-effective operation of the NL EASP AIR fleet."

Deutsche Aircraft has also played a significant role in supporting NL EASP AIR's special mission operations by integrating the In-Flight Operable Door (IFOD) developed by AeroRescue, with EASA certification. This innovation allows the D328® to be used for various multi-role missions worldwide.

Deutsche Aircraft is proud to welcome NL EASP AIR’s fleet of D328® aircraft to Oberpfaffenhofen and looks forward to continuing this partnership. The continued success of the D328® is attributed to the exceptional customer and product support provided by Deutsche Aircraft.

Press Contact

Christian Puerschel                                      
Head of Communications & PR
Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

Weßling, 26 February 2024 – German OEM, Deutsche Aircraft, announces the launch of its new Chinese language website, which is a significant step in the company’s efforts to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The website will serve as a gateway for users across the Chinese-speaking market to access information about Deutsche Aircraft and its new 40-seater regional turboprop, the D328eco.

As Deutsche Aircraft grows its presence in Asia, it is eager to establish strong relationships with potential customers. The first step was taken at Aero Asia 2023, one of the most prominent airshows in Asia and China, where Deutsche Aircraft made its debut last year.  

Ryan Ding, Regional Director for China at Deutsche Aircraft, remarks, “The launch of our Chinese language website is a gateway to reach out to the Chinese-speaking APAC market and a great opportunity for us to introduce the D328eco turboprop, while building solid relationships with regional industry partners.”

The launch of the new website comes as Deutsche Aircraft continues to expand its reach and influence in the global media landscape.

For more information on the new Chinese language website, please visit our Chinese Website.

Press Contact

Christian Puerschel                                      
Head of Communications & PR
Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

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Weßling, Germany, 19 February 2024 – Dr. Anna Christmann, the Coordinator for Aerospace Policy of the German Federal Government, recently visited the Deutsche Aircraft headquarters in Oberpfaffenhofen to monitor the progress of the transformation of the D328® UpLift into a flying test laboratory. As a key OEM partner, Deutsche Aircraft is currently undertaking the conversion of a former passenger aircraft into a flying test bed. The Federal Government is an active advocate of sustainable aviation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to minimise the environmental impact of air travel.

Green light for the CAvIA LuFo project

On 1 January 2024, the "CAvIA" federal aviation research programme was launched, supported by federal funding of around 1.42 million Euros. As the joint leader of this project, Deutsche Aircraft is investigating flight operations with just one pilot, as well as energy-optimised trajectories. The aim of the project is to make aviation more environmentally friendly through the use of intelligent avionics.

The journey to ILA Berlin 2024 begins

The conversion of the D328® UpLift by Deutsche Aircraft is a crucial step towards this goal. The D328® UpLift will be equipped with state-of-the-art avionics systems and temporarily modified engines that are capable of running on sustainable fuels, aiming for an experimental CO₂ emission measurement campaign. The flying test bed will make its debut in June 2024 at ILA Berlin, the leading aerospace trade fair in Germany and Europe.

"The UpLift flying test laboratory is a key industrial policy project for climate-friendly flying and Germany's sustainable development," said Dr. Anna Christmann during her visit. "I am delighted that the project operated by DLR with its technical expertise, is making progress with the support of Deutsche Aircraft. It is crucial that the laboratory is made available to all our industrial partners. This is an important strategic step towards testing measures for climate-neutral flying under real conditions."

"The development of innovative and environmentally friendly aircraft solutions, such as our new D328eco^TM, is of key importance,” says Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft. “As an OEM, we are also proud to carry out the conversion of the D328® UpLift into a flying research laboratory in our hangar. This lays the foundation for technological advancements in aviation and paves the way for eco-friendly flights." Jackson also expressed gratitude to the German Federal Government and German Aerospace Center, as well as acknowledging the support of industry partners.

The successful conversion of the D328® UpLift flight lab and launch of the CAvIA project are significant milestones in the development of sustainable aviation technologies that will enable nearly carbon-neutral flights. Deutsche Aircraft is a proud partner in this collaboration and looks forward to further cooperation with the German government and other stakeholders in creating a more sustainable future for air travel.

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Press Contact

Christian Puerschel                                      
Head of Communications & PR
Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

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In 2023, Deutsche Aircraft accomplished many important milestones as we continue to set new benchmarks in regional aviation and elevate the aviation industry to new heights with our D328eco™. Let’s take a look back at how this year has shaped us.

Recognition and Resonance: Echoes of Success

This year, we have partnered with best-in-class suppliers to secure over 90% of our supply chain contracts.

We announced our first launch customer, Private Wings, and signed an LOI for the delivery of five D328eco aircraft, which will be a valuable addition to their existing fleet of D328® jets and turboprops.

Recently, we signed another LOI to deliver up to four new D328eco aircraft to an undisclosed customer to replace its ageing fleet of regional turboprops.

As we continue to expand digitally, our online presence has taken off, with over 20,000 followers now joining us on our journey. We also launched our Mandarin landing page and official WeChat account in China.

Thriving Beyond Limits: A Blueprint for Unprecedented Growth

In collaboration with representatives from Leipzig/Halle Airport, the German government and the Free State of Saxony, we broke ground at our Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Leipzig. Designed to be 100% CO2 neutral, the FAL will have a production capacity of forty-eight D328eco aircraft per year.

We made our debut at the Paris Air Show as an OEM, where we unveiled our modern, spacious cabin and future-proof cockpit with brand-new flight deck. During the event, we announced significant supplier collaborations with thyssenkrupp Aerospace, NORDAM, Liebherr, and Sasol ecoFT that will further the development of our D328eco.

In addition, we attended Aero Asia 2023 in Zhuhai, where we had the opportunity to promote the D328eco and the D328® fleet to the Chinese market.

We commenced our integration test campaign with a virtual first flight in our state-of-the-art engineering simulator, developed in partnership with Reiser Simulation Training and Garmin, the supplier of the flight deck. This new engineering simulator will provide further insights into the flight characteristics of our 40-seater turboprop and pave the way for an efficient and environmentally friendly test campaign.

In cooperation with business partners, we also hosted the 2nd AIRCRAFT Supplier Summit in Leipzig. During the conference, we recognised some of our top-performing suppliers for their contribution to our D328eco and D328® programmes at the Deutsche Aircraft Supplier Awards.

Driven by a collaboration and innovation, we celebrated our three-year anniversary as an established OEM in 2023. We have successfully evolved into a team of more than 500 aviation experts from over 35 nations around the globe and have moved into a new building at our headquarters at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport this year.

Unveiling Tomorrow: Charting New Horizons

To provide further versatility for our D328eco, we obtained EASA certification for the In-Flight Operable Door (IFOD) for our D328® that will open up multi-mission possibilities.

By connecting with like-minded partners and staying committed to new ideas, we are advancing promising technology to improve sustainability standards for the aviation industry.

With the Uplift project, we’re using the D328® as a flying test bed for alternative propulsion technologies in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the German government and key associates within the aviation industry.

We have also completed wind tunnel testing for the D328ALPHA as we develop future propulsion systems with our partners as part of the LuFo project.

In addition, we strengthened our collaboration with Energi i Nord to boost SAF production in Northern Norway and commissioned a scientific study carried out by Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik (LBST) on the performance of Power-to-Liquids and Liquefied Hydrogen as alternative aviation fuels.

We would like to thank our clients, suppliers, investors and team members who made 2023 a meaningful and successful year for Deutsche Aircraft. We wish everyone a joyful and prosperous holiday season and a happy new year.

Now it’s time to relax, recharge and get ready to kick-start 2024: Are you ready to get on board? Are you ready for the next one?

As we approach the end of 2023, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible accomplishments we have achieved at Deutsche Aircraft this year. Together, we have made significant strides towards our common goal of revolutionising the aviation industry and I am pleased to share some of the key highlights from this last quarter:

Team Expansion: We have successfully reached our 2023 target of approximately 540+ committed aviation enthusiasts at Deutsche Aircraft. Our ability to attract top talent from the aerospace and aviation sectors worldwide is a testament to our vision and dedication.

AIRCRAFT Supplier Summit 2023: In collaboration with our business partner, the Berlin Institute Supply Chain Management, we hosted the 2nd AIRCRAFT Supplier Summit in Leipzig. This year’s summit brought together key suppliers and our team to discuss the industry's technological transformation and sustainable approaches for the next generation of aircraft. During the conference, we recognised top-performing partners for their contribution to our D328eco™ and D328® programmes with the Deutsche Aircraft Supplier Awards, and also welcomed Advanced Integration Technology/Nova-Tech Engineering to our supplier network, who will support our Final Assembly Line with fuselage sections handling and positioning.

Market Strategy: We made our debut in China with the launch of our Mandarin landing page and official WeChat account. In addition, we participated at Aero Asia 2023 in Zhuhai, where we had the opportunities to meet potential customers to give an insight on the D328eco as well as promote the D328® turboprop fleet to the Chinese market. Our sales team continues to pursue its objectives for global expansion, successfully attended conferences in the US and Canada and as well as physically attending in person the Dubai Airshow where our D328eco, as a natural replacement for an ageing global fleet of regional jets and turboprops, received a lot of attention from current and potential customers. We are witnessing a paradigm shift towards turboprops acceptance and are pleased that the US market is expressing a solid interest in our product.

Virtual First Flight: Another milestone was achieved in November with the introduction of our new engineering simulator for the D328eco. Developed in collaboration with Reiser Simulation and Training as well as Garmin, this simulator will provide valuable insights into the flight characteristics of our new regional turboprop.

Sustainable Flights: We commissioned a comprehensive study, conducted by Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik (LBST), that compares the economic and environmental performance of Liquefied Hydrogen (LH2) and Power-to-Liquids (PtL) in aviation, emphasising our commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Looking ahead to 2024, we are excited about our first test flights using Sustainable Aviation Fuels. We plan to participate in ILA Berlin and the Farnborough International Airshow, which will provide opportunities for us to meet with business partners and potential future operators. The market interest in our new D328eco continues to grow and we cannot wait to share our progress throughout the coming year. 2024 promises to be another thrilling year for us and we are looking forward to working together with you on this incredible journey.

Last but not least, we have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with an undisclosed customer for the purchase of up to four D328eco aircraft, which will replace an ageing turboprop fleet. This agreement marks a significant milestone for Deutsche Aircraft as it solidifies the company’s position in the sub-50-seater category and serves as a testament to the global demand for new regional aircraft.

We are grateful for your continued support as we shape future aviation trends and also the history of Deutsche Aircraft. I wish you a joyous holiday season.

Best wishes,

Dave Jackson
CEO, Deutsche Aircraft

WESSLING, 13 December 2023 – Deutsche Aircraft have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with an undisclosed customer for the purchase of up to four state-of-the-art D328eco aircraft, which will replace an ageing turboprop fleet. This agreement marks a significant milestone for Deutsche Aircraft as it solidifies the company’s position in the sub-50-seater category and serves as a testament to the global demand for new regional aircraft.

The technologically advanced D328eco offers exceptional performance capabilities, making it the first choice for regional operators in the turboprop segment who are looking to replace an ageing fleet of regional jets and turboprops. Its ability to operate in challenging weather and infrastructure conditions, including extreme heat and sub-zero temperatures, sets it apart from other aircraft in its class. In addition, the D328eco's short take-off and landing capacity (STOL), outstanding economics and significant CO2 reduction contribute to its appeal.

Anastasija Visnakova, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Deutsche Aircraft, is thrilled about the increasing interest in the D328eco. “The aircraft's ability to operate in challenging environments – including short, unpaved runways and remote destinations – makes it a reliable, capable and efficient solution for regional operators,” Visnakova remarks. “On top of that, the D328eco offers the best economic and environmental advantage in its class. We recognise that regional connectivity is an important lifeline for many communities around the globe and Deutsche Aircraft is honoured to support this mission and contribute to regional operations.”

Deutsche Aircraft maintains its commitment to providing regional connectivity in the most efficient, cost-effective and sustainable way possible. The company's dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction has cemented its position as a reliable partner in the aviation industry.

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Press Contact‍

Christian Puerschel
Head of Communications & PR
Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

Deutsche Aircraft commissioned LBST to compile a comprehensive study comparing the economic and environmental performance of Liquefied Hydrogen (LH₂) and Power-to-Liquids (PtL) in aviation. The study is focused on domestic production of electricity-based Sustainable Aviation Fuels (e-SAF) in North America and Europe, while also taking North Africa and the Middle East into account as export regions. The results complement concept studies at aircraft level with the fuel supply perspective of Sustainable Aviation Fuels.

Results of the study highlight that LH₂ has the potential to undercut PtL production costs if there are higher demands from airlines. Fuel production costs for PtL and LH₂ show similar orders of magnitude for small-scale applications such as regional airports. While LH₂ can offer cost advantages over PtL at scale due to efficiency and liquefaction economics, it requires significant infrastructure investments and novel aircraft technologies. PtL, on the other hand, necessitates only marginal upgrades to existing infrastructure and aircraft systems.

According to the frameworks employed in the analysis, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions well-to-wake, PtL and LH₂ show comparable results. Moreover, the use of PtL and LH₂ demonstrate substantial benefits in terms of non-CO₂ effects according to current scientific understanding.

The study also emphasises the importance of reducing certain aviation fuel constituents, such as aromatics and sulphur, to benefit both the climate and local air quality. For this reason, a dedicated fuel standard (“non-drop-in”) with zero aromatics is currently under development to minimise non-CO₂ effects and pollution. Due to the long lifetime of aircraft, the massive scale-up of drop-in SAF is a crucial element to mitigate the climate impact of the existing fleet. At the same time, aircraft and engine OEMs must continue their efforts into hydrogen research. Further hydrogen technology maturation at the aircraft level will enable a complete end-to-end view when comparing Liquefied Hydrogen and Power-to-Liquids in terms of operating costs and specific primary energy demand.

Patrick Schmidt, Senior Project Manager at LBST, commented on the research, stating, the real credit of our work is to take a genuinely comparative approach between LH₂ and PtL as aviation fuel, allowing for an apples-for-apples comparison in terms of costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Our sensitivity analysis allowed us to build a cost corridor, giving a feel for the potential variance of future cost estimates. Thus, we hope to provide guidance to the whole aviation ecosystem and policymakers about the benefits, challenges, and needs for a timely, sustainable, and robust energy transition in aviation."

Sofia Capito, Managing Director LBST, added: “We have leveraged our extensive expertise in PtX techno-economics and life-cycle analysis to assess the supply side of Liquefied Hydrogen and Power-to-Liquids. This additional piece complements previous studies that we conducted on PtL and LH₂. The relevance and topicality were reflected by a diverse stakeholder advisory group comprising industry actors, academia and environmental NGOs which shows that PtX is finally in the focus of aviation.”

Dave Jackson, CEO at Deutsche Aircraft, emphasised the significance of objective information in decision-making. “The independent findings confirm our product strategy,” he reflects. “In the short to mid-term, switching to 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuels, particularly Power-to-Liquids, is the best option to reduce environmental impact. Our D328eco^TM will be compatible with 100% non-drop-in Sustainable Aviation Fuels, offering substantial reductions in pollution and climate impact as quickly as possible. When it comes to hydrogen, we continue our research and technology efforts, knowing that to operate commercial hydrogen aircraft, the industry must take a giant leap forward regarding technology maturity, infrastructure, regulations and economics.”

Regina Pouzolz, Director Sustainability at Deutsche Aircraft, says that, “The study delivered the essential puzzle piece to achieve an objective and holistic evaluation of technology and design options for our next aircraft. PtL is the best choice to minimise aviation’s climate impact now and in the future.”

The study “E-SAF: Techno-Economics of PtL and PtH2”, is available here: https://en.lbst.de/publikationen/Techno-Economics-of-PtL-and-PtH2-2023/

Deutsche Aircraft welcomes the use of the study, with respect to the stated copyright terms.

About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to propel the aviation industry forward with innovative solutions. Supported by a highly skilled and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco. As type certificate holder and service partner for existing D328 (both prop and jet) operators worldwide, the company is uniquely positioned to complement the existing fleet with this next-generation aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft employs the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency, and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner for the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft is working with key players in the industry to achieve climate-neutral flights. www.deutscheaircraft.com

About Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik (LBST)

Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH, an associated company of TÜV SÜD AG, is an international expert consultant for sustainable energy and mobility. With its expertise bridging technologies, markets and policy, the company supports international clients from industry, finance and politics with questions about technology, markets, strategy and sustainability.

Large international companies trust LBST's reliable assessments of new developments and innovations in the fields of energy and mobility and appreciate its comprehensive competence, especially in hydrogen. Four decades of continuous experience from the interdisciplinary team of renowned experts form the basis of LBST's extensive expertise. Further information: www.lbst.de

For media enquiries, please contact:

Deutsche Aircraft
Christian Puerschel                                      
Head of Communications & PR
pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

LBST
Dr. Thomas Oberst
Corporate Communications
thomas.oberst@tuvsud.com

New engineering simulator sets the stage for the first flight experience in the D328eco cockpit

Weßling, 29 November 2023 – The Deutsche Aircraft team successfully completed its integration test campaign with a virtual first flight in the brand-new, state-of-the-art engineering simulator. This simulator has been developed and built in partnership with Reiser Simulation and Training as well as Garmin – the supplier of the flight deck – and will provide further insights into the flight characteristics of the innovative 40-seater turboprop.

This is a key milestone for Deutsche Aircraft in the development of the D328eco. The engineering simulator will allow the flight test team to perform an early evaluation of systems, cockpit ergonomics and aircraft behaviour, which will serve as a baseline for overall customer feedback. This feedback will help the team to design the D328eco so it will correspond better to customer expectations as well as enable early risk mitigations.

“The introduction of the first engineering simulator is an important milestone in the development of the D328eco,” says Nico Neumann, COO at Deutsche Aircraft. “This device shows, once more, what is possible with a shared vison, strong partnerships and good collaboration. It clearly demonstrates our capability at Deutsche Aircraft to design and built complex simulation systems.”

“This device is a fundamental element of our test strategy for the D328eco,” adds Tim Otte, Director of Flight and Integration Tests. “It provides early testing capability with the pilot in the loop, and as such, helps to ensure early system maturity. For our flight test activities, it will pave the way for an efficient, safe and environmentally friendly test campaign.”

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Press Contact‍

Christian Puerschel

Head of Communications & PR

Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

Modelling Tomorrow: Flight Simulations as Architects of Progress at Deutsche Aircraft

Flight simulators have traditionally been associated with pilot training, but at Deutsche Aircraft, their role extends far beyond honing pilot skills.

"While flight simulations offer a range of capabilities without actual aircraft operation,our main objective is to expedite results for pilots and design teams,” explains Yigit Sahin, Flight Simulation Engineer at Deutsche Aircraft.

The genesis of flight simulation dates back to 1929 when Edward Albert Link invented the first simulator, which offered a safer, more cost-effective approach to pilot training.

Today, full flight simulators provide a realistic training environment, enabling pilots to practice critical manoeuvres essential for real-world operations. Moreover, at Deutsche Aircraft, the engineering simulator has evolved into a catalyst for modelling, testing and innovation, playing a pivotal role in the development of the new 40-seat turboprop, the D328eco™.

The Crucial Role of Flight Simulators

Three types of simulators are integral to the development process at Deutsche Aircraft:

- Full Flight Simulators (FFS)

- SIMZERO desktop simulator

- TZERO engineering simulator

While FFS meticulously replicate specific aircraft, the latter devices focus on modelling and testing performance during the development stage.

Underscoring the value of bridging the gap between simulator and aircraft, Sahin states that “We aim to ensure our pilots are intimately familiar with the cockpit environment to minimize any surprises during actual flight."

Flight Simulators in Design and Development

At Deutsche Aircraft,a paradigm shift is underway. "Design is often thought to precede testing, but we're endeavouring to alter this industry mindset,” Sahin declares.

The TZERO engineering simulator allows the design department to evaluate new concepts, enhancements and modifications before physical construction begins.

Sahin's role as a liaison between the Flight Physics department and the simulator supplier is pivotal as he oversees the implementation of various flight models, ensuring they align with the real aircraft's performance.

"By providing test pilots with modelled avionics deck options, we expedite decision-making and optimise design efforts,” he says, highlighting the impact of modelling on efficiency.

Flying Towards Sustainability: Simulators and the Environment

Deutsche Aircraft is committed to environmental sustainability, aligning with the 1.5°C targets of the Paris Agreement. The sustainability of the D328eco hinges on material selection, aerodynamics, fuel efficiency and fuel type. Flight simulators play a critical role in minimising actual flights, thereby reducing the aviation industry's carbon footprint.

"The higher the simulator's accuracy, the fewer flights we'll need for testing, resulting in amore sustainable operation,” Sahin asserts, underlining the importance of simulator accuracy in achieving sustainability goals.

Shaping Tomorrow: The Future of Flight Simulation

Looking ahead, Sahinen visions a dynamic future for flight simulation. He anticipates integration with artificial intelligence, enabling advanced anomaly detection and proactive alerts. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality could immerse pilots in hyper-realistic environments, enhancing their situational awareness.

Moreover, computer vision-based intelligent aviation, precision autopilot systems and the potential for fully autonomous transport aircraft are poised to revolutionise the aviation landscape.

As we navigate the horizon of possibilities, one thing is certain: in the dynamic field of engineering simulators, the potential is limitless.

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German OEM makes a debut in the biggest air show in China

Zhuhai, 23 November 2023 – Deutsche Aircraft has made its debut at one of China’s prominent aviation events, Aero Asia 2023, which takes place from 23–26 November. As regional flights play a vital part of the transportation network in China, the German aircraft manufacturer aims to provide sustainable regional connections with the D328® legacy aircraft and the new D328eco™, the 40-seater sustainable turboprop. According to market forecasts, the Chinese aviation market will require 20% of the world’s commercial aircraft in the next 20 years.

D328eco aims to support sustainable regional aviation in China

The outstanding flight characteristics and versatility of the D328eco allows it to access destinations with short and unpaved runways, in a variety of weather conditions. This will open up new route possibilities for businesses and people who rely heavily on regional aviation across China. The D328eco will also facilitate sustainable regional flights with the lowest fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions on the market. This aircraft is designed to operate on 100% SAF Power-to-Liquid (PtL),which can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 95%.

Comfort comes first on the shortest of routes

An integrated Garmin Companion™ flight deck, brand new PW127XT-S engines and a comfortable and quiet cabin make the D328eco turboprop ahead of its time: an innovative and robust aircraft which offers maximum comfort for passengers and flight crew. These features set the D328eco apart as the most efficient, modern and sustainable regional aircraft in its class.

Ryan Ding, China Regional Director at Deutsche Aircraft shares his insights on the Aero Asia airshow. “The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is trying to encourage general aviation operators with a maximum limit of 30 passengers to handle short regional routes. This is a perfect match for our D328® legacy aircraft as well as our D328eco in the next phase, ”he says.

“Aero Asia is a great opportunity for us to introduce the D328eco regional turboprop to the Chinese market while building solid relationships with industry partners. Deutsche Aircraft are pleased to be in Zhuhai to witness the latest developments in China’s aviation industry. Additionally, with the launch of our official WeChat account and Chinese website, we will become more accessible to the market.”

Press Contact‍

Christian Puerschel

Head of Communications & PR

Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

At the 2nd AIRCRAFT Supplier Summit, held on November 7-8, 2023, Deutsche Aircraft developed an influential presence with industry partners.  

The Summit took place close to the location where the Final Assembly Line (FAL) of the new D328eco™ which will be built at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Some of the key topics from the event included:

• Shaping Future D328eco Aircraft Supply Chains
• Sustainability from Slow Seller to Bestseller
• Equipping the Factory of the Future

Deutsche Aircraft and industry partners join forces to shape the aircraft supply chain for the D328eco

As the event's host, Maximilian Fahr, Vice President Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft, welcomed industry partners and emphasised the importance of a robust supply chain in the aviation industry, as well as the critical role of creating an efficient ecosystem with suppliers.

During the panel on Shaping Future Eco Aircraft Supply Chains, our COO, Nico Neumann, discussed Deutsche Aircraft's ambition to become an industry flagship and explained how the OEM contributes to technology-enabled supplier collaboration by aiming to become a leader in sustainability and innovation in the aviation industry, with collaborating like-minded partners supporting Deutsche Aircraft's mission.

Regina Pouzolz, Director of Sustainability at Deutsche Aircraft, emphasised the importance of sustainability in the development of the D328eco, which will use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF),followed by a transition to near zero-emission flying by exploring alternative propulsion systems that will shift aviation towards more carbon neutrality.

During the Equipping the Factory of the Future panel, Sebastian Böhnl, Director of Infrastructure & Digitalisation at Deutsche Aircraft, offered his thoughts on the future of manufacturing.  As the Final Assembly Line will become a one-of-a-kind manufacturing hall with an automated production line, theD328eco's construction will be facilitated. According to Böhnl, the next generation of holistic factory planning and digitalized process flows will be critical in the manufacturing flow.

One of the highlights of the summit was the awards ceremony which took place on the first day. The awards to recognised suppliers that are going the extra mile in their collaboration with Deutsche Aircraft. The following suppliers won in their respective categories:

Sustainable Excellence Partner for theD328eco programme: Pratt and Whitney Canada.

Best Engineering Services Supplier for the D328eco programme: Umlaut Engineering.

Best Supplier In-Service Support category: PMG Precision Mechanics

Best performer for the D328ecoprogramme: in 2023 Aciturri

New Supplier on board for the Final Assembly Line

AIT/Nova-Tech Engineering was announced as the supplier for Fuselage Sections Handling and Positioning as well as Aircraft Transport and Positioning at the Final Assembly Line in Leipzig, where the D328eco will be manufactured. This agreement marks another milestone for the Deutsche Aircraft team.  

A fantastic opportunity for continuous collaboration

Overall, the 2023 AIRCRAFT Supplier Summit was a unique opportunity to network with decision-makers across the industry and a valuable forum for face-to-face discussions with strategic partners and suppliers.

Over two days, participants shared critical insights into building resilient supply chains, championing sustainability and harnessing the potential of technology.

Deutsche Aircraft continues to fuel inspiration for sustainable regional aviation by establishing strong relationships with industry partners to create a robust supply chain network.

Leipzig, 9 November 2023 – During the AIRCRAFT Supplier Summit, Deutsche Aircraft welcomed a new supplier. Advanced Integration Technology/Nova-Tech Engineering (AIT/NTE) has been selected to support the Final Assembly Line with Fuselage Sections Handling and Positioning, as well as Aircraft Transport and Positioning.

With this new deal, AIT/Nova-Tech Engineering will support the Final Assembly Line at Leipzig/Halle airport, where the 40-seater D328eco regional turboprop will be built. AIT/Nova-Tech is one of the largest providers of aerospace automation, mechanisation, and tooling. As Deutsche Aircraft builds the factory of the future with innovative manufacturing capabilities, it is essential to collaborate with the industry leader in constructing well-integrated automation production processes.

Experts in aerospace tooling and the aerostructures industry’s most experienced designer, manufacturer, and integrator of automated conveyance, positioning, and joining systems, AIT/NTE, is serving as Deutsche Aircraft’s industrialisation partner for the D328eco. Utilising its engineering core competency and vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities AIT/NTE is providing flexible and reliable equipment and tooling for Deutsche Aircraft’s Leipzig production facility.

Maximilian Fahr, Vice President of Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft, remarks, “We are constructing the factory of the future, and our suppliers are critical to our success. Deutsche Aircraft is pleased to formalise a deal with AIT/Nova-Tech in Leipzig to set important groundwork for our Final Assembly Line, which will incorporate integrated solutions into our production processes."

Advanced Integration Technology/Nova Tech Engineering Director Business Development Europe, Herve Grosdemange, states: “By providing AIT/NTE’s industry-leading factory solutions through this strong partnership with Deutsche Aircraft, we are pleased and honored to be the supplier of the D328eco Final Assembly Line’s automation industrialisation.”

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Press Contact
Christian Puerschel
Head of Communications & PR
Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

Key partners awarded for their contributions to the D328eco^™ and D328® programme ‍

‍Leipzig, 08 November 2023 – During yesterday's Leipzig-based 2nd AIRCRAFT Supplier Summit, Deutsche Aircraft recognised suppliers for going the extra mile with a special awards ceremony. The OEM collaborates with domestic and international suppliers who are essential for the development of the D328eco, the new 40-seater turboprop, and the in-service D328 legacy aircraft. Suppliers were grouped into different categories and assessed based on their capabilities and performance during 2023.

Maximilian Fahr, Vice President of Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft, said, “We appreciate the opportunity to honour the best of our suppliers and strengthen our commercial ties. Our suppliers are essential for the success of our product.”

The selection of candidates was based on two main factors: initiative and technical proficiency. The initiative criteria, accounting for 60%, took precedence due to the current project phase, while technical capabilities made up the remaining 40%.

And the winners of Deutsche Aircraft Supplier Awards are . . .

Sustainable Excellence Partner for the D328eco programme: Pratt & Whitney Canada. The focus was this year on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and P&WC has supported time to market with excellence.

Best Engineering Services Supplier for the D328eco programme: Umlaut Engineering, which had the biggest value generation impact on the program, supported by a high sustainability rating.

Best Supplier In-Service Support category: PMG Precision Mechanics was honoured for their aftermarket support, high delivery performance, flexibility and quality.

Aciturri was selected as the best performer for the D328eco programme in 2023 in terms of earned value management a significant key performance metrics, as well as strategic alignment as a partner.

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‍Press Contact
Christian Puerschel
Head of Communications & PR
Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

Leipzig, 7 November 2023 – Deutsche Aircraft kicked off the 2nd AIRCRAFT Supplier Summit in Leipzig today. The primary goal of the summit is to discuss implementation options with suppliers, with an emphasis on the crucial role of procurement.

The AIRCRAFT Supplier Summit brings together key suppliers who will shape the future of aircraft supply chains. We have invited next-generation aircraft manufacturers doing business in Leipzig and around the world to discuss the industry’s technological transformation, with the aim of adopting a sustainable approach to developing new concepts for all stakeholders for the next generation of aircraft.

An effective supply chain is critical for the production of the D328eco, the world’s most advanced turboprop, and for the region of Saxony. All manufacturing will take place at the Final Assembly Line at Leipzig/Halle Airport, which will have a production capacity of 48 aircraft per year as the airport develops into an important aviation hub with a strong air logistics infrastructure.

90% of suppliers for the D328eco are on Board

Deutsche Aircraft, which expects to put the D328eco into service by 2026, has completed nearly 90% of its supply chain agreements and is moving on to preparations for aircraft manufacturing.

Maximilian Fahr, Vice President Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft, remarks, “Our theme for this year’s AIRCRAFT Supplier Summit is Digital, Green and Sustainable. We are striving to drive technological transformation for long-term sustainability, notably in aviation supply chain and procurement, and this initiative will support the entire aviation environment around Leipzig/Halle Airport. This summit will establish the framework for sustainable and innovative supply chain concepts. Delegates will discuss how these concepts can be implemented in collaboration with suppliers and how this can benefit the broader aviation ecosystem. The participation of 200 suppliers will ensure exciting, in-depth discussions.”‍

Nico Neumann, Chief Operations Officer at Deutsche Aircraft, adds, “Since its inception, Deutsche Aircraft has dedicated itself to being the industry's flagship for innovation and leading the transition to a more sustainable future. Our dedication to fresh ideas, cooperation and connecting with like-minded partners will contribute to the realisation of our mission. We are especially excited to be in Leipzig today where our climate neutral Final Assembly Line will be located.”

The supplier selection for the D328eco is part of the sustainability goals at Deutsche Aircraft, and as an OEM, the parts used to make the aircraft must align with our objective towards a more climate neutral air travel.

On the second day of the event, Deutsche Aircraft will present the Supplier Summit Awards, based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to recognise the exceptional performance and capabilities of our industry partners.

Press Contact
Christian Pürschel

Head of Communications, Deutsche Aircraft

E-Mail: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

Toulouse/Munich, 16 October 2023 – Deutsche Aircraft and Latecoere announce the appointment of Latecoere as strategic supplier of doors for the 40-seater D328eco regional turboprop, a platform that is accelerating the aviation industry’s transition towards lower emissions.  

Through this build-to-print contract, Latecoere will manufacture all six doors for Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco regional turboprop for the duration of the programme. This will include the passenger door, service door, cargo door, two emergency doors and hatch door. The group will leverage its industrial footprint in Europe to supply Deutsche Aircraft’s production facility in Leipzig, Germany. Prior to manufacturing, Latecoere’s engineering office in Toulouse, France, will support the 2D-to-3D design phase. The first doors will be delivered to Deutsche Aircraft by mid-2025.

Greg Huttner, Group CEO of Latecoere, states that “Deutsche Aircraft and Latecoere share the same ambition for sustainable aviation. Building on a strong heritage and next-gen innovations, the D328eco will meet its challenges and as a tier 1 partner we are extremely proud to contribute to its journey with our leading door expertise and capabilities.”

Maximilian Fahr, Vice President Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft, remarks that "Doors are intricate and essential components of aircraft construction and Latecoere's track record and outstanding position in the door market are major assets for our D328eco programme. With this contract we are one step closer to finishing a fully robust supply chain that satisfies our operational efficiency criteria and supports our long-term sustainable strategy with the inclusion of Latecoere to our industrial partner portfolio.”

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About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to propel the aviation industry forward with innovative solutions. Supported by a highly skilled and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco. As type certificate holder and service partner for existing D328® (both prop and jet) operators worldwide, the company is uniquely positioned to complement the existing fleet with this next-generation aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft employs the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner for the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft is working with key players in the industry to achieve climate-neutral flights.

Press Contact
Christian Puerschel
Head of Communications & PR
Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

About Latecoere

Tier 1 to the world’s leading industry manufacturers (Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Honda Aircraft Company, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Thales), Latecoere serves aerospace with innovative solutions for a sustainable world. The Group operates in all segments of the aerospace industry (commercial, regional, business, defense and space) in two business areas:

• Aerostructures (55% of sales): doors, fuselage, wings and empennage, struts & rods and customer services;

• Interconnection Systems (45% of sales): wiring, avionic racks, onboard equipment, electronic systems and customer services.

As of December 31, 2022, the group employed 5,918 people in 14 countries. Latecoere is listed on Euronext Paris - Compartment B, ISIN Code: FR0000032278 - Reuters: AEP.PA - Bloomberg: AT.FP

Press Contact
Thierry Mahé
Media Relations
Tel: +33 (0)6 60 69 63 85
Email: LatecoereGroupCommunication@latecoere.aero

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Munich, 04 October 2023 – Deutsche Aircraft recently completed an extensive wind-tunnel testing campaign for the D328ALPHA technology demonstrator. The D328ALPHA is a one-off modification to an existing D328® airframe. The objective of this programme is to evaluate, develop and flight-test promising technologies that will reduce aviation emissions, such as electric propulsion, fuel cells and liquid hydrogen storage.

The successful completion of the wind tunnel test campaign marks an important milestone for future flight. This test was conducted in the context of the LuFo VI-I (Luftfahrtforschungsprogramm) Civil Aviation Research programme and is partially funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz or BMWK). With the LuFo VI, the BMWK is striving to develop a sustainable, economical and efficient air transport system of the future.

The wind tunnel test aims to validate next-generation propulsion systems
The objective of this powered-model test was to validate the overall aerodynamic integration of a next-generation electric propulsion system that is being developed with our project partners. This 9-week campaign evaluated various combinations of propulsive power, stability, control and performance parameters over the expected flight envelope. The outcome of this test confirms prior analysis conducted using state-of-the-art Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and will allow Deutsche Aircraft to refine an engineering flight simulator.

The D328ALPHA was also presented at the E2FLIGHT Emission Free and Electric Flight Conference in September 2023, which was organised by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and University of Stuttgart. Chief Engineer for Future Projects at Deutsche Aircraft, Riaan Myburgh, presented the latest developments for the D328ALPHA demonstrator at the conference.

Press Contact
Christian Pürschel
Head of Communications, Deutsche Aircraft
E-Mail: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

As we wrap up the third quarter of 2023, I am pleased to announce that we have accomplished significant goals for our company and want to take this opportunity to thank the Deutsche Aircraft team for their unwavering dedication to our common purpose. I would like to share some of our most recent achievements, on the corporate and business front. 

Our team keeps growing, and we have surpassed our goal of more than 500 passionate aviation professionals at Deutsche Aircraft. We continue to attract the best talent from the global aerospace and aviation sectors and are working towards 600 team members by the end of 2023.

Following the success of the Paris Air Show in June, we signed a number of supplier contracts and have confirmed 90% of the supply chain for our D328eco™. The latest agreements are with ASE S.p.A. for the AC Primary Power Generation and Distribution System, Satys Cabin for the design and production of interior fittings and Latecoere, who will manufacture the six doors for the D328eco.  

In August, we announced a new alliance towards climate-neutral aviation with energy and industry partners in Northern Norway. We are collaborating with Energi I Nord (North Energy Cluster), Bodø Airport Development Company (BLU) and other aviation industry stakeholders on how the supply, demand and production of near carbon-neutral synthetic aviation fuels could be ramped up for regional operators in Northern Norway. 

During the last quarter, we also opened our 500-square-metre Logistics Centre in Leipzig, which is ready to welcome the parts for our D328eco. This new logistics space is located 10 minutes from our Final Assembly Line, where construction will begin soon. 

At the Friedrichshafen wind tunnel facilities, we recently completed extensive testing for our D328ALPHA technology demonstrator. The intention of this powered-model test was to validate the overall aerodynamic integration of a next-generation electric propulsion system that is being developed with project partners. The 9-week campaign evaluated various combinations of propulsive powers, stability, control and performance parameters over the expected flight envelope. The outcome of this test confirms prior analysis conducted using state-of-the-art Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and will allow Deutsche Aircraft to refine an engineering flight simulator. 

Saving the best news for last, Deutsche Aircraft took part in the Nationale Luftfahrtkonferenz 2023 (German National Aviation Conference) in Hamburg this week. Together with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), German Government and other German aviation industry partners, we unveiled the much-anticipated D328® UpLift aircraft which will serve as a flying test laboratory for future developments in air transport.  

Preparations for the UpLift aircraft began in August, two months after we became the official OEM partner for the German Aerospace Center (DLR) under the governmental Uplift programme. The journey continued with pilot simulator training for the D328® aircraft that facilitated the first flight from Munich's Oberpfaffenhofen Airport to Hamburg.  

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz joined our executive management team in front of the aircraft before the conference began, along with Dr. Robert Habeck, the Federal Minister of Economics and Climate Action, Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister of Digital and Transport, Dr. Anna Christmann, Federal Government Coordinator for German Aerospace Policy, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the DLR Executive Board, Dr. Michael Schöllhorn, President of BDLI, Jost Lammers, President of BDL, and Oliver Luksic, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Digital and Transport. The high level of interest underlines the significance of Deutsche Aircraft for the German government.  

The continued dedication of the entire Deutsche Aircraft team fuels our collective drive toward innovation and sustainability. Thank you once again. Let us continue to make aviation history together!

Best regards,

Dave Jackson
CEO, Deutsche Aircraft

- German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft, in cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), partners from the aviation industry and the German government, presented the D328^® Uplift flying test laboratory

- The focus of this year's National Aviation Conference is the aviation industry's transition to near climate-neutrality

Hamburg, 25 September 2023 - At the National Aviation Conference 2023 in Hamburg, Deutsche Aircraft, in cooperation with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) and the German government, presented the D328® turboprop flying test bed in its new, distinctive Uplift livery. The D328®, an integral part of many regional airline fleets, is now also a pioneer for alternative propulsion technologies for a more environmentally friendly aviation future.

The Uplift programme exemplifies the shared vision of the future of aviation and the industry's collaboration towards the aviation paradigm of climate-neutral flying. The Uplift D328® aircraft will become a major beacon of innovation, reflecting the commitment to environmental protection and ground-breaking advances in the aviation sector.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz met the management of Deutsche Aircraft, the Federal Minister of Economics and Climate Action, Dr. Robert Habeck, Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister of Digital and Transport, Dr. Anna Christmann, the Federal Government Coordinator for German Aerospace Policy, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chairman of the DLR Executive Board, Dr. Michael Schöllhorn, President of BDLI, Jost Lammers, President of BDL, Oliver Luksic, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Digital and Transport and Carsten Spohr, CEO of Lufthansa Group in front of the aircraft at the National Aviation Conference in Hamburg.

This year's National Aviation Conference is about aviation's journey towards climate neutrality. The D328^® Uplift will serve as a catalyst for research into alternative propulsion systems and help the industry find environmentally friendly solutions for aviation. Furthermore, the aircraft's versatility and efficiency are a perfect match for the Uplift initiative.

Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft, states, "We are honoured to take part in this important event where Deutsche Aircraft will make a significant contribution to shaping the future of the aviation industry and supporting the government's efforts to achieve sustainable and near carbon-neutral aviation."

Nico Neumann, COO Deutsche Aircraft, remarks, "Deutsche Aircraft is the Type Certificate Holder of the D328® family. We are very proud that our aircraft, the D328-100 mod 20, has been selected by DLR as the flying test laboratory for the Uplift Programme. This recognition is not only a milestone for the industry, but also a symbol of Deutsche Aircraft’s commitment to enhance future technologies towards climate-neutral flying."

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Press Contact
‍Christian Puerschel                                      
Head of Communications & PR
Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

The UpLift journey takes off as Deutsche Aircraft supports German Aerospace Center (DLR) pilots with D328® simulator training

- Initial preparations have begun for the UpLift unveiling at the Nationale Luftfahrtkonferenz in September 2023 with pilot simulator training in Velbert for the D328 Turboprop aircraft.

Velbert/Weßling, 17 August 2023 – German OEM Deutsche Aircraft is showing support for pilots from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) who will be flying the D328 UpLift aircraft by offering simulator training at Simulator Training Solution (STS GmbH) based in Velbert.

The journey of the UpLift aircraft continues with pilot training for the D328 type aircraft ahead of the Nationale Luftfahrtkonferenz (German National Aviation Conference), which will take place in Hamburg on 25 September 2023.

As the big day approaches, preparations are currently underway for the initial changes to the D328 UpLift aircraft. The livery transformation is taking place in the hangar in Oberpfaffenhofen Airport and training has begun for the DLR cockpit crew who will be flying the aircraft from Munich’s Oberpfaffenhofen Airport to Hamburg, where the new livery will be unveiled to the public.

Conny Cornelius, Test Pilot at Deutsche Aircraft, remarks, “It is a fantastic opportunity to be able to work with colleagues from DLR to support future developments in aviation. It is time to show them the capabilities of the D328 Turboprop as the perfect flying testbed as part of the UpLift programme.”

Jan Hünerfeld, CEO of STS GmbH, states, “We are proud to be part of aviation history with our state-of-the-art D328 simulator training centre. Here, we can support DLR pilots in their training for the UpLift aircraft which will be part of German aviation history. At STS, we want to continue to support Deutsche Aircraft’s mission, as well as becoming a key service provider to D328 aircraft operators.”

Since 2020, Deutsche Aircraft has collaborated with Simulator Training Solution, which is the sole simulator training centre for operators of the D328 family of aircraft.

With the support of Deutsche Aircraft, the DLR pilots will continue flight training at the Research Airport in Braunschweig.

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Contact person

Deutsche Aircraft GmbH                    

Christian Pürschel                                      

Head of Communications & PR

Phone: +49 8153 88 111 2359

E-mail: Christian.puerschel@deutscheaircraft.com

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• Northern Norway disposes of abundant, low-cost renewable energy and the necessary infrastructure to ramp up production of low-carbon e-fuels (“Power-to-Liquid PtL”).

• Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) will play a key role in reducing the climate impact of the aviation industry on a global scale.

• Deutsche Aircraft is at the forefront of reducing aviation’s impact on climate by developing an energy- and cost-efficient turboprop aircraft that is able to operate on 100% SAF including PtL.

Bodø/Munich, 07 August 2023 – German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft, Energi i Nord (North Energy Cluster) and Bodø Airport Development Company (BLU) have met with energy and aviation industry stakeholders to address how the supply, demand and production of near carbon-neutral synthetic aviation fuels could be ramped up for operators in Northern Norway. As airlines need to ensure their future fuel supply comes from sustainable sources, fuel manufacturers need offtake guarantees and the regulatory framework to secure the immense investments necessary to build a whole new fuel ecosystem. To take immediate action to reach climate goals, the collaboration between industry and politics is essential. Northern Norway is a vast and secluded territory which has a network of 26 regional airports that are critical for the region’s transportation infrastructure. The region also has an excess of low-cost renewable energy that is key for e-fuel production, which makes it the ideal testing ground for the development of new concepts to reach climate-neutral aviation.

Cooperation towards sustainable e-fuels

Deutsche Aircraft and Energi i Nord have been collaborating successfully for more than a year to promote e-fuels using industrial CO₂ point sources as a first step, which will later be substituted by direct air capture powered by abundant renewable energy to minimise lifecycle emissions.

By exploring flight testing opportunities and studying ground infrastructure requirements to produce e-fuels, this partnership paves the way towards Northern Norway becoming a national and international leader in the enormous transformation aviation is facing. The cluster also collaborates with the Lofoten – The Green Islands 2030 project, an ambitious roadmap to set a scenic and untouched island community on a course to becoming fully carbon neutral, including its tourism sector. Short-haul routes within the Lofoten archipelago will be among the first to be operated with alternative fuels.

Deutsche Aircraft is developing its new regional 40-seater turboprop, the D328eco™, that will be compatible with 100% SAF including e-fuels. Powered by state-of-the-art technologies, it will achieve near carbon-neutral flights from its entry into service, with low operating costs and excellent performance. Beyond the D328eco, Deutsche Aircraft is also studying alternative propulsion technologies based on hydrogen for future aircraft programs.

Energi i Nord is comprised of industrial players such as major wind and hydropower producers, technology suppliers and electrochemical companies, as well as members of the aviation sector and local communities that are determined to take the lead energy transition.

It has several ongoing projects in green aviation and has cooperated closely with aviation industries in Germany, France and Iceland. At present, Energi i Nord is conducting a study mapping the potential for the use and production of e-fuels in Northern Norway and in Iceland in cooperation with Icelandic partners.

Regina Pouzolz, Director Sustainability at Deutsche Aircraft, highlighted the importance of PtL fuels for reducing the climate impact of aviation. “Aviation’s climate impact depends on both CO₂ and non-CO₂ effects, both of which are minimised by PtL. Climate change asks for substantial and fast solutions in the aviation sector. While hydrogen aircraft may be an interesting solution in the farther future, our climate cannot afford to wait for these technologies to achieve the maturity that is required to perform safe and cost-efficient flights. PtL fuels that have been produced from renewable energy can bring the CO₂ balance to almost zero. They reduce the impact of contrails, and they improve local air quality because they naturally do not hold aromatics and produce less soot. At the same time, changes to the aircraft and infrastructure are reasonable. Enabling the already efficient D328eco turboprop to fly with any type of SAF is the biggest and fastest leap on our path to climate-neutral aviation.”

“We have the best possible ecosystem in Northern Norway to make low carbon e-fuels a reality," says Anders Tørud, Project Manager Green Aviation at Energi i Nord. “E-fuels and hydrogen produced from renewable energies are the most promising scalable solutions to significantly reduce emissions in aviation, one of the most hard-to-abate sectors. To make it happen, it is essential to bring down production costs through scale. We have the right ecosystem in Northern Norway to do so,” he adds.

According to Marc Siegel, Senior Manager Marketing at Sasol ecoFT, “Size matters. The bigger the plant, the more efficient it is. Integrated processes and industrial facilities further increase efficiencies and therefore the sustainability of novel technologies,” he says.

“It is crucial to find, solve and develop more solutions to reduce emissions in the aviation industry. Our partnership with Deutsche Aircraft and Energi i Nord is our answer, in the short and medium term, as well as long term,” says Elnar Holmen, CEO Bodø Airport Development Company.

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About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to propel the aviation industry forward with innovative solutions. Supported by a highly skilled and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco. As type certificate holder and service partner for existing D328^® (both prop and jet) operators worldwide, the company is uniquely positioned to complement the existing fleet with this next-generation aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft employs the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner for the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft is working with key players in the industry to achieve climate-neutral flights.  

About Energi i Nord (North Energy Cluster)

Energi i Nord is an energy cluster with a focus in Northern Norway. The company has defined green aviation as one of five strategic focus areas. The cluster has about 50 members including most of the hydropower and wind power producers in the region, oil and gas producers like Equinor and Vår Energi, hydrogen, ammonia and synthetic fuel producers, and also technology providers.

About Bodø Airport Development Company

Bodø Airport Development Company (BLU) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bodø Region's Development Company, and its link to Northern Norway. One of the company's goals is to be an engine in the development of green aviation in Northern Norway, Norway and the international market. The company will actively take part in connecting Northern Norway with international players and environments, as well as knowledge and investment players in aviation.

Press Contacts

For media enquiries, please contact pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

For more information, visit our website: www.deutscheaircraft.com

Energi I Nord: Anders Tørud, Project Manager Green Aviation at@kpb.no

Bodø Airport Development Company: Elnar Holmen, CEO, erh@brus.bodo.no

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Le Bourget, July 2023 – Deutsche Aircraft and the aerospace Italian company ASE S.p.A. announced at the Paris Airshow their new agreement for the AC Primary Power Generation and Distribution Systems for the D328eco, the brand new regional 40-seater sustainable turboprop from Deutsche Aircraft.

The AC electrical system from ASE mainly consist of two 25 kVA AC generators, two Generator Control Units (GCU) and two Primary Power Distribution Unit (PDU).

The AC Generators are attached to the propeller gear box which provides the appropriate RPM. Each generator is controlled by its generator control unit and outputs the power to the two-channel primary power distribution unit. From there, power is supplied to all AC loads via the secondary power distribution system.

“We’re proud to announce that we’ve been selected as the AC electrical system supplier for Deutsche Aircraft’s new turboprop D328eco the innovative fixed wing civilian aircraft which is designed to have a lower environmental impact, with comfort and efficiency”, says Giuseppe D’Alò, ASE Chief Executive Officer. “Our AC electrical system will complement the D328eco by being very light, compact and silent. ASE is honoured to collaborate with Deutsche Aircraft on such an innovative project. This partnership aligns with our philosophy of care towards the environment and our love for technology”, says Fausto Cosentino, ASE Chief Business Officer.

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Giuseppe D’Alò,ASE Chief Executive Officer. “Our AC electrical system will complement the D328eco by being very light, compact, and silent. ASE is honoured to collaborate with Deutsche Aircraft on such an innovative project. This partnership aligns with our philosophy of care towards the environment and our love for technology”, says Fausto Cosentino, ASE Chief Business Officer.

Maximillian Fahr (Deutsche Aircraft Vice President of Supply Chain) highlighted the importance of the agreement with ASE “ASE is our ideal partner that is prepared to support the D328eco Program with strong project management and integration capabilities across the entire lifecycle of the aircraft. Furthermore, the regional capabilities are a key factor in the supplier selection process along product reliability, and the collaborative approach and experience will ensure compliance with the Program schedule and ramp-up.”

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About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is Germany’s new purpose-driven OEM. Founded on the heritage of aircraft pioneers, Deutsche Aircraft’s new D328eco aircraft is being developed to deliver significant improvements in operational and maintenance costs as well as reductions in overall carbon footprint. This is in line with its vision and strategic road map towards a more sustainable future for aviation. The D328eco will offer maximum flexibility, as it is able to operate on existing aviation fuel as well as being blended with up to up to 100% H2-PtL. The aircraft will be assembled in the paperless Final Production Line (FAL) in Leipzig, Germany. All parameters are in high demand in the current aviation environment and we already see an increased interest in the D328eco from our potential customers and partners.

About ASE S.p.A.

ASE is a worldclass supplier of electrical power systems for aerospace and defence industry with a consolidated experience in design, development, integration, production and support of electrical power systems. Since 1919 we have equipped the most important aircraft with our system solutions.

Press Contact
‍Christian Puerschel                                      
Head of Communications & PR
Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

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As we come to the close of the second quarter of 2023, I want to take this opportunity to once again express my thanks to all of the hard work within the Deutsche Aircraft team and for your consistently high level of commitment to our shared mission. In the past quarter, we have again achieved important goals for our company. I am proud to look back briefly at our recent achievements.

Our growing team is now comprised of over 500 experts who share a common enthusiasm for aviation. We are moving towards our goal of nearly 600 employees by the end of 2023 and we continue to attract talent from the aviation and aerospace industries around the world.

In April, a large part of our team moved into our new headquarters at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport. The Deutsche Aircraft sign now also shines at the main entrance to the airport together with the other brand marks that have been there already - our footprint in Oberpfaffenhofen is growing visibly in line with our company!

A sign of the good corporate culture in our company is the award we received as one of the "Top Companies 2023" from Kununu, Germany's leading career site. This award is a confirmation of our high commitment to collaboration, respect and diversity in the workplace, as well as our open feedback culture. We all know that a good company culture needs to be nurtured and we will continue to further invest in our people.

As the D328eco^TM program progresses, in May, we had two truly important and pivotal announcements and events, that were widely noticed by the aviation society, our partners and customers. We broke the ground for our final assembly line at Leipzig/Halle Airport with prominent participation from politicians and industry leaders. What we consider as the finest assembly line in the world will be the birthplace of our new D328eco aircraft. In conjunction with this, we welcomed our first European launch customer, Private Wings, on the tarmac in front of one of their existing D328® aircraft. Private Wings currently operates nine D328® Turboprops and one D328® Jet. The letter of intent for the delivery of up to five brand-new D328eco is a good indication of our customers' confidence in Deutsche Aircraft and our D328eco programme. This is not just a first LOI announcement, but also a great endorsement from our current operator.  We are truly proud to see the commitment to the aircraft type and us, as an OEM, from one of the biggest D328® Turboprop operator.

At the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, we signed an agreement with ACRO to supply Deutsche Aircraft with their Series 9 economy class seats for the D328® family, which includes the new D328eco and also as an option for retrofit on in-service D328® turboprops and jets.

Last week we returned from the Paris Air Show 2023. It was fantastic to make our mark on one of the world's most prestigious aviation events together with our industry partners and to position our D328eco in the market. With our state-of-the-art cockpit mock-up and an insight into our new cabin design we were able to demonstrate the capabilities and comfort of our aircraft to our customers. Also, our agreements with key suppliers made headlines, including our end-to-end material supply chain solution with thyssenkrupp Aerospace and NORDAM for the D328eco engine nacelles. We announced our collaboration with Liebherr Aerospace for the air management system and with Sasol ecoFT to offer the D328eco's customers an access to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). In terms of suppliers, we have now confirmed almost 90% of our agreements and are getting closer and closer to flying our D328eco aircraft.

Certainly, a highlight for Deutsche Aircraft is the sale of the D328® aircraft and becoming the OEM partner for the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in the context of the UpLift project. Together with DLR and the German government, we were able to make this official public announcement during the Paris Air Show. Now we can focus on transforming one of our D328® aircraft into a “flying test bed” which, over the next few years, will play a significant part in the German government´s ambition to become a world leader in future propulsion technologies research for the use of hydrogen in aviation.  The D328® thus becomes part of the German research fleet and Deutsche Aircraft will gain more international attention as a partner for innovative and sustainable flying.

Our collective drive towards innovation and sustainability is fuelled by the dedication of the entire Deutsche Aircraft team. Thank you once again. Let us continue to make aviation history together!

Best Regards,

Dave Jackson

CEO, Deutsche Aircraft

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• This was the biggest ever footprint for the Deutsche Aircraft brand at any aviation exhibition

Le Bourget, 22 June 2023 – Deutsche Aircraft wrapped up a successful week at the Paris Air Show after announcing major collaborations with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Sasol ecoFT and other important suppliers. This year, the German OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) focused on the D328eco™ programme, the new sustainable 40-seater turboprop that will be 100% SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) compatible. The Deutsche Aircraft chalet also featured a cabin and cockpit mock-up of the D328eco aircraft that will enter into service in 2026.

The week started of with major announcements, including the signing of an important agreement with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) for the D328® to be used as a flying testbed for future propulsion technologies. Deutsche Aircraft also announced a collaboration with South African chemicals and energy giant Sasol ecoFT on SAF Power to Liquid (PtL) and other partnerships with key suppliers who play a pivotal role in the development of the D328eco.

From the heart of Bavaria to Paris

As a German aircraft manufacturer with roots in Bavaria, Deutsche Aircraft organised a special gathering with a Bavarian theme. This event offered journalists and industry partners a chance to network with the Deutsche Aircraft team to learn more about the D328eco product and take an exclusive tour of the cabin and cockpit mock-up which highlighted the aircraft’s latest technologies.

Anastasija Visnakova, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Deutsche Aircraft, was delighted about the outcome of the Paris Air Show and the connections made at this year’s event. “After Covid-19, it is fantastic to be back in Paris to catch up with the developments in the industry. We are here to build solid relations with industry partners and we did so successfully throughout this week with our announcements about major collaborations. We also kept the industry updated with our progress on our D328eco programme.”

Paul Wawruszczak, Head of Marketing at Deutsche Aircraft, expressed gratitude to his team who made the show possible. “The Paris Air Show is one of the most prestigious aviation events where we pulled out all the stops and leave our mark as a brand and we are extremely satisfied with the outcome as we had a huge interest to our chalet and the D328eco cabin and cockpit mock ups. It is always an honour to be part of this event where you have the opportunity to join the wider aviation family and find out about current trends in the industry. This year, we also presented a cabin mock-up of our D328eco, where visitors could get to know more about the on-board experience.”

Now getting ready for the upcoming shows

Deutsche Aircraft team is now getting ready for the upcoming global aviation events to continue the promotion of the D328eco and build lasting relationships with important business partners from around the globe.

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Press Contact
Christian Puerschel                                      
Head of Communications & PR
Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

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• DLR and Deutsche Aircraft sign a contract in Paris for the use of a D328® as an industry-open Flying Testbed platform under the project title “UpLift” which will be financed by a public grant by BMWK.

• The German OEM Deutsche Aircraft equips a D328® Turboprop with far-reaching, universally usable basic modifications for the DLR to accelerate technology research and development towards climate-friendly aviation.

Le Bourget, 20 June 2023 Deutsche Aircraft has won the public tender with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) for the step-by-step conversion of a Dornier 328 Turboprop into a flying testbed. The procurement, conversion and use as a flying testbed is part of the UpLift project for research into technologies for the use of hydrogen in aviation. By converting the D328, a classic regional aircraft, into a flying testbed, a bridge will be built between research and practice.

DLR will act as the project manager for UpLift. Deutsche Aircraft is one of the project partners and will contribute its expertise as an aircraft manufacturer. The plan is to test pioneering propulsion, fuel and system technologies under real flight conditions in order to accelerate research and development. The funding for 2023 to 2025 is part of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) aviation research program LuFo Klima, which is how the German government is supporting the aviation industry on its way to CO2 neutrality and climate compatibility.

German OEM for the future of German aviation

The D328, EASA's large aircraft class ("CS25"), provides the ideal platform for demonstrating new components and systems under test since it has a wide stand-up cabin which allows for various modular options. Aside from the space, the turboprop boasts a 30,000-foot flight ceiling, an upgradeable flight deck, the option to convert to 100% SAF, and strong field performance. The overall high performance and robustness of the aircraft, the expandable cockpit and, last but not least, the possibility of testing SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) and, in the future, hydrogen or other sustainable energy sources in flight, make the D328® the perfect tool for the research project. Future system technologies, fuel cells, fuel systems and their integration will play an important role here.

Furthermore, the OEM Deutsche Aircraft brings in the technological expertise and know-how to support DLR's research activities in UpLift. Deutsche Aircraft is also a partner to science and industry in other LuFo projects, working together to pave the way to climate-compatible aviation. Those relationships are an important component of the German aviation ecosystem, also in terms of developing chances for future aviators.  

Dr. oec. Jasmin Eberharter, Head of Research and Technology programs at Deutsche Aircraft, emphasizes: “The path towards climate-neutral flights is a joint effort between the whole aviation ecosystem. With UpLift, aviation experts have a significant opportunity to join forces across science and industry, further contributing and accelerating sustainable aviation.”

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chairwoman of the DLR Executive Board, says, "The new D328® UpLift research aircraft will perfectly complement DLR's research fleet as a flying test laboratory for hydrogen technologies and pave the way for a new generation of climate-compatible aircraft in the regional aircraft class. This new fleet member, in close partnership with the aviation industry, the air transport industry as well as SMEs and start-ups, gives DLR the opportunity to test disruptive approaches in the development of new propulsion systems including hybrid-electric concepts based on hydrogen technologies and novel fuels up to the flight test stage."

The D328® is particularly suitable for assessing innovative propulsion technologies in flight due to its specific design characteristics. In addition, the D328® is used worldwide for regional commercial flights with usual propulsion technologies, providing a wealth of reference values for the evaluation of new technologies. Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft, emphasized what this agreement meant for the future developments: “The UpLift Programme and the D328® as a test platform is an important step towards paving the way for the future of the aviation industry. The D328® as a flying testbed platform will be crucial in laying out the groundwork for needed technological advancements.” Nico Neumann, COO of Deutsche Aircraft, is proud to have a D328® in DLR's fleet. He states that: “We are fully committed to support as an OEM the integration of emerging technologies, to move aviation and technologies towards climate neutral flights.”

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About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to propel the aviation industry forward with innovative solutions. Supported by a highly skilled and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco. As type certificate holder and service partner for existing D328® (both prop and jet) operators worldwide, the company is uniquely positioned to complement the existing fleet with this next-generation aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft employs the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner for the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft is working with key players in the industry to achieve climate-neutral flights.

DLR at a glance

DLR is the Federal Republic of Germany’s research centre for aeronautics and space. They conduct research and development in aeronautics, space, energy and transport, security and digitisation. The German Space Agency at DLR is responsible for planning and implementing German space activities on behalf of the Federal Government. Two DLR project management agencies oversee funding programs and support knowledge transfer.

Globally, climate, mobility and technology are changing. DLR uses the expertise of its 55 institutes and facilities to develop solutions to these challenges. The 10,000 employees share a common mission: To explore the Earth and outer space and develop technologies for a sustainable future. In this way, they help to strengthen Germany as a centre of knowledge and business.

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Press Contact

Christian Puerschel                                    

Head of Communications & PR

Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

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Deutsche Aircraft and Sasol ecoFT partner to make Sustainable Aviation Fuel(SAF) available to D328eco customers

• The new D328eco™ aircraft from Deutsche Aircraft will operate on 100% SAF, including Power-to-Liquids

• Deutsche Aircraft offers customers of the D328eco access to Sasol ecoFT and their SAF

• SAF remaining a scarce resource mid-term, the partnership eases market access for regional operators

Le Bourget, 20 June 2023 Deutsche Aircraft and Sasol ecoFT have further strengthened their partnership to support the use of 100 % Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), specifically 100% Power to Liquid (PtL), in regional aviation. At the Paris Air Show 2023, they have signed an LOI that will provide Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco customers access to the SAF expert team from Sasol ecoFT as soon as sufficient production capacity has been ramped up.

Sasol ecoFT aims to offer access to SAF blends, certified according to ASTM. Later to be followed by 100% SAF as soon as standards evolve. This approach reflects Sasol ecoFT and Deutsche Aircraft’s vision to offer scalable SAFs to the market with the lowest environmental impact possible Sasol ecoFT leverages Sasol’s extensive Fischer-Tropsch proprietary technology, and catalysts to produce sustainable fuels via the Power-to-X process.

Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco customers will have the option to contact Sasol ecoFT directly to explore the supply of SAF

The D328eco aircraft operators will be given priority access to the SAF experts from Sasol ecoFT. SAF will remain a scarce resource, and with this arrangement, Deutsche Aircraft will support its customers to secure SAF to reduce the environmental impact.

Dr. Regina Pouzolz, Head of Sustainability at Deutsche Aircraft, shared her insights about this agreement with Sasol ecoFT. "As Deutsche Aircraft, we are proud to be a part of a sustainable aviation ecosystem, and with our D328eco aircraft in conjunction with SAF supplied by our partner Sasol ecoFT, our customers will be able to significantly reduce their CO2 emissions, improve local air quality and reduce the climate impact from contrails. By providing demand certainty to investors and SAF producers we are supporting the SAF ramp-up vital to reduce costs."

"The agreement signed today provides our customers and future D328eco operators with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to obtain Sustainable Aviation Fuel, including Power-to-Liquids, directly from Sasol ecoFT. Regional airlines often do not have access to the SAF market. With this agreement we are bringing sustainable solutions to this market segment, which plays a major and, often, the solo role, in essential connectivity" says Anastasija Visnakova, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Helge Sachs, Senior Vice President Sasol ecoFT, “Within this great partnership, we share the same ambition of climate neutral aviation. Today’s agreement is another step into the right direction by supporting an often-overlooked segment of the market with SAF. We want to make fuelling up with SAF a normal thing like the world has got accustomed to lead-free gasoline many years ago.”

Marc Siegel, Senior Manager Marketing & Sales Sasol ecoFT, “Regional aviation is an important market segment. With this agreement we support decarbonization of this sector of the aviation industry. We understand that these flights are needed and want to keep remote locations including their small communities connected and provide essential services. The combination of the D328eco with our SAF can make a difference on this level as well.”

Power-to-Liquids are a scalable and long-term solution for reducing aviation’s climate impact and improve local air quality. They are produced by combining green hydrogen and CO₂ taken directly from the air (“Direct Air Capture”) or from biogenic or industrial point sources. The production process can be set up to have the same properties as conventional kerosene: high energy density at low volume, verified safety and distribution via the established infrastructure. Furthermore, these fuels naturally contain no aromatics and no sulphur, reducing contrails and improving local air quality. Deutsche Aircraft aims to make the D328eco ready for 100% Power-to-Liquids containing zero aromatics.

About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to propel the aviation industry forward with innovative solutions. Supported by a highly skilled and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco. As type certificate holder and service partner for existing D328® (both prop and jet) operators worldwide, the company is uniquely positioned to complement the existing fleet with this next-generation aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft employs the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner for the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft is working with key players in the industry to achieve climate-neutral flights.

About Sasol ecoFT

Sasol ecoFT is part of the Sasol Group. They are world-leaders in the development and application of the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) technology with more than 70 years of experience.

They leverage proprietary technology, know-how and expertise to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals from green hydrogen and sustainable carbon sources, via the Power-to-Liquids (PtL) process.

By deploying sustainable FT solutions globally, they contribute to a thriving planet, society, enterprise and innovate for a better world.

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Press Contact

Christian Puerschel                                      

Head of Communications & PR

Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

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Le Bourget, June 2023 Deutsche Aircraft GmbH has announced that it has selected Liebherr to supply the air management system for the D328eco™ aircraft, a platform that is accelerating the aviation industry’s transition towards lower emissions.  

Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS, Toulouse (France) will design, supply and service the integrated air management system for the D328eco. The system meets the efficiency, weight, and performance requirements of this modern aircraft, offering cabin comfort and optimised power consumption.

“Liebherr-Aerospace is a reputable partner in the aviation industry not only with many other airframe OEMs but also a close partner for years with Deutsche Aircraft. On the D328eco program, we are pleased to have Liebherr join us, also as the supplier for the integrated air management system and thereby further reduce development times. This latest contract is based on and will further strengthen the reliable partnership we have on the flap and spoiler actuation system and reach another important milestone for the D328eco program. Deutsche Aircraft, as the only German OEM for regional aircraft, is teaming up with the finest suppliers of the industry to have the most competitive Turboprop in service. The cooperation with Liebherr perfectly fits in that picture.”, says Maximilian Fahr, Vice President Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft.

“We are very pleased that in addition to the flap and spoiler actuation system, we are now also able to supply the integrated air management system. Our centre of competence for air and thermal management systems in Toulouse will provide a modern air management system for the D328eco”, says Alex Vlielander, Chief Customer Officer, Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS.

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About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to propel the aviation industry forward with innovative solutions. Supported by a highly skilled and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco. As type certificate holder and service partner for existing D328® (both prop and jet) operators worldwide, the company is uniquely positioned to complement the existing fleet with this next-generation aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft employs the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner for the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft is working with key players in the industry to achieve climate-neutral flights. www.deutschaircraft.com

About Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation

Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS, Toulouse (France), is one of eleven divisional control companies within the Liebherr Group and coordinates all activities in the aerospace and transportation systems sectors.

Liebherr-Aerospace is a leading supplier of systems for the aviation industry and has more than six decades of experience in this field. The range of aviation equipment produced by Liebherr for the civil and military sectors includes flight control and actuation systems, gears and gearboxes, landing gear and air management systems as well as electronics. These systems are deployed in wide-bodied aircraft, single aisle and regional aircraft, business jets, combat aircraft, military transporters, military training aircraft, civil helicopters and combat helicopters.

Liebherr’s aerospace and transportation systems division employs around 6,000 people. It has three aviation equipment production plants at Lindenberg (Germany), Toulouse (France) and Guaratinguetá (Brazil). These production sites offer a worldwide service with additional customer service centres in – among others Saline (Michigan/USA), Seattle (Washington/USA), Montreal (Canada), Hamburg (Germany), Dubai (UAE), Bangalore (India), Singapore and Shanghai (People’s Republic of China).

About the Liebherr Group

The Liebherr Group is a family-run technology company with a highly diversified product portfolio. The company is one of the largest construction equipment manufacturers in the world. It also provides high-quality and user-oriented products and services in a wide range of other areas. The Liebherr Group includes over 140 companies across all continents. In 2022, it employed more than 51,000 staff and achieved combined revenues of over 12.5 billion euros. Liebherr was founded in Kirchdorf an der Iller in Southern Germany in 1949. Since then, the employees have been pursuing the goal of achieving continuous technological innovation, and bringing industry-leading solutions to its customers.
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Press Contact

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Deutsche Aircraft GmbHChristian Puerschel                                      

Head of Communications & PR

Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS

Ute Braam

Corporate Communications

Phone: +49 8381 / 46 – 4403

E-mail: ute.braam@liebherr.com

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Deutsche Aircraft and NORDAM announce nacelle collaboration for D328eco™ 40-seater turboprop aircraft

• Long-term contract signed between NORDAM and Deutsche Aircraft for the development of nacelles for the D328eco

• NORDAM's expertise in integrated nacelle systems includes development, testing, certification and manufacturing capabilities

• Deutsche Aircraft and NORDAM align on values, outlook, job creation and sustainability in aviation

Le Bourget, 20 June 2023 – Deutsche Aircraft and NORDAM signed a contract today at the Paris International Air Show for the design, development, industrialisation and manufacturing of the D328eco nacelles. NORDAM’s extensive experience in aerostructures and integrating nacelle systems – including certifications to meet stringent regulatory requirements – is ideal for the D328eco, a 40-seater turboprop aircraft that is leading the way to more sustainable regional flying. NORDAM will develop and manufacture the D328eco engine nacelles at their facilities in the U.S. and Mexico.

“This partnership with NORDAM is based on their strong capabilities and a relationship of trust and cooperation at all levels between both organisations,” says Maximilian Fahr, Vice President Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft. “It’s people that make products and when motivation levels are high, amazing things can happen. With the choice of NORDAM, we have taken another big step towards securing the supply chain of the D328eco. We are investing in a common vision of more sustainable flying.”

“We are excited to partner with well-established aviation pioneer Deutsche Aircraft to manufacture this key component for their eco-friendly aircraft platform,” NORDAM CEO Meredith Siegfried Madden said. “NORDAM has a rich tradition of innovation, and this program aligns with our goals to be at the forefront of supporting environmentally sustainable solutions for aerospace like the D328eco.”  

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About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is Germany’s new purpose-driven OEM. Founded on the heritage of aircraft pioneers, Deutsche Aircraft’s new D328eco aircraft is being developed to deliver significant improvements in operational and maintenance costs as well as reductions in overall carbon footprint. This is in line with its vision and strategic road map towards a more sustainable future for aviation. The D328eco will offer maximum flexibility, as it is able to operate on existing aviation fuel as well as being blended with up to up to 100% H2-PtL. The aircraft will be assembled in the paperless Final Production Line (FAL) in Leipzig, Germany. All parameters are in high demand in the current aviation environment and we already see an increased interest in the D328eco from our potential customers and partners. www.deutscheaircraft.com

About NORDAM

Founded in 1969 on family values, NORDAM continues a tradition of building bonds that last. With multiple, strategically-located operations and customer support facilities around the world, Tulsa, Oklahoma-based NORDAM is a leading independently owned aerospace company. The firm designs, certifies and manufactures integrated propulsion systems, nacelles and thrust reversers for business jets; builds composite aircraft structures, interior shells, custom cabinetry and radomes; and manufactures aircraft transparencies, such as cabin windows, wing-tip lens assemblies and flight deck windows. NORDAM is also a major third-party provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services to the military, commercial airline and air freight markets. Learn more at www.NORDAM.com.

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Contact persons

Deutsche Aircraft GmbH                      

Christian Pürschel                                      

Head of Communications & PR

E-mail: Christian.puerschel@deutscheaircraft.com

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NORDAM

Mandy Leemhuis Monahan

DIR OFFICE OF CORP RESPONSIBILITY

NORDAM Office of Corporate Responsibility

mmonahan@nordam.com | www.NORDAM.com

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thyssenkrupp Aerospace and Deutsche Aircraft sign long-term agreement for end-to-end materials supply chain solution

Le Bourget, June 19 2023-Deutsche Aircraft and thyssenkrupp Aerospace announced today that they are entering into a long-term frame agreement for an integrated end-to-end supply chain solution for material management for the D328eco™ aircraft. thyssenkrupp Aerospace, a division of thyssenkrupp Materials Services, will be responsible for supplying materials, from planning to sourcing, processing to warehousing, as well as logistics and distribution to Deutsche Aircraft and its European subcontractors.

There are three components to this materials management solution. The first is a digital control tower that thyssenkrupp Aerospace and DAG have co-created to manage the entire ecosystem and to coordinate all material flows, from sourcing to distribution. The second part of the solution sees thyssenkrupp Aerospace take full responsibility for the procurement of all materials. The third part is a materials hub and distribution center, that enables thyssenkrupp Aerospace to deliver materials just-in-time to the production lines of the multiple sub-contractors of Deutsche Aircraft. The entire solution has been built from the ground up to enhance end-to-end transparency of the D328eco aircraft supply chain, ensure a seamless, on-time supply of materials to Deutsche Aircraft and its sub-contractors, and overall, to boost the resilience of the entire supply chain, a major concern in the aerospace and defense industry.

Patrick Marous, CEO of thyssenkrupp Aerospace, comments: “We are delighted to enter into this long-term agreement with Deutsche Aircraft and their subcontractors. The solution we developed is an object lesson in the benefits of co-creation. We spent one-year consulting with Deutsche Aircraft to assess their supply chain for raw materials. And because we built this from the ground up together with the team from Deutsche Aircraft, they get exactly the efficient, transparent, and resilient materials supply chain they need to ensure uninterrupted production of their D328eco aircraft. Our global network of certified mills and our materials expertise further ensure Deutsche Aircraft gets the quality they need.”

Maximilian Fahr, Vice President Supply Chain of Deutsche Aircraft, highlights the trusting relationship the two partners developed over the one-year consulting period as a major factor in their decision to enter into this long-term agreement. He says: “Materials is key for manufacturing, and so is reliability and risk management. We got to know each other well and built a trusting relationship. The demonstrated capabilities of managing a complex network of capacities as well as the supply chain management skills to build an end-to-end solution from scratch, convinced us in partnering on this supply chain journey. These assets will support the D320eco program entry and prepare the ramp-up phase and long-term material provision.”

Sustainability is central to the design and manufacture ethos of Deutsche Aircraft, especially in the D328eco. This supply chain solution was created with that in mind. Maximilian Fahr, says: “Resilience and reliability are essential to our materials supply chain and so is sustainability. By working closely together with the team from thyssenkrupp Aerospace, we developed synergies that will lead to reduced scrap. We increase material utilization through the demand consolidation handled by thyssenkrupp Aerospace and that plays an important role in reducing our overall carbon footprint and helping us on the way to more sustainable production.”

As part of the strategic further development "Materials as a Service", thyssenkrupp Materials Services is focusing, among other things, on the consistent expansion of its service portfolio. thyssenkrupp Aerospace is taking another important step in this direction with this partnership with Deutsche Aircraft. As one of the world’s leading supply chain management and Third-Party Logistics (3PL) service providers in the market for raw materials, thyssenkrupp Aerospace offers end-to-end solutions to build resilient and digital supply chains. The company’s service portfolio is modular and scalable, encompassing all development stages from designing to managing and operating the supply chain for its customers.

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About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to propel the aviation industry forward with innovative solutions. Supported by a highly skilled and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco. As type certificate holder and service partner for existing D328 (both prop and jet) operators worldwide, the company is uniquely positioned to complement the existing fleet with this next-generation aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft employs the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner for the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft is working with key players in the industry to achieve climate-neutral flights.

About thyssenkrupp Aerospace

With around 480 locations – 271 of them warehousing locations – in over 40 countries, thyssenkrupp Materials Services is the biggest materials distributor and service provider in the western world. The wide-ranging capabilities offered by the materials experts enable customers to concentrate more on their individual core business and span two strategic areas: global materials distribution as a one-stop shop – from steel, tubes and pipes, nonferrous metals and specialty materials to plastics and raw materials – and tailored services in the areas of materials management and supply chain management. An extensive omnichannel architecture offers 250,000 customers worldwide round-the-clock access to more than 150,000 products and services. A high-performance logistics system ensures that all deliveries are integrated smoothly into customer production processes on a just-in-time or just-in-sequence basis.


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Press Contacts

thyssenkrupp Aerospace

Sina Balzhauser

Head of Communications thyssenkrupp Aerospace

E-Mail: sina.balzhauser@thyssenkrupp-materials.com

Tel.: +34 662 667 881

www.thyssenkrupp-aerospace.com  

www.linkedin.com/company/thyssenkrupp-aerospace

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Deutsche Aircraft

Christian Pürschel

Head of Communications, Deutsche Aircraft

E-Mail: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

www.deutscheaircraft.com/

www.linkedin.com/company/deutsche-aircraft/

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Deutsche Aircraft and ACRO sign contract for Series 9 economy class seats

- Deutsche Aircraft signed an agreement with ACRO Aircraft Seating for the delivery of top-quality, sturdy and lightweight seats for the D328® and D328eco™.

Hamburg, 6 June 2023 – Acro Aircraft Seating – a leading passenger seat manufacturer for commercial airlines – has been selected to supply Deutsche Aircraft with their Series 9 economy class seats for the D328® family of aircraft, which includes the new D328eco and a retrofit option for the proven D328® turboprop and D328® jet.

The new Acro Series 9 seats will provide a comfortable on-board experience for passengers flying with the D328eco as well as the D328®. Ideal for airlines travelling regional and short-haul routes, these seats have a wider seat pitch, a robust yet lightweight design, require less maintenance and are more reliable.

Nico Neumann, Chief Operations Officer at Deutsche Aircraft, spoke about the choice of Acro seating for the D328® family: “Acro Aircraft Seating has been selected based on a multifunctional assessment of innovation, sustainability, quality and economic factors. Besides serving our D328eco in a baseline 40 PAX configuration, the selected seats will be available as a retrofit option for our D328® turboprop and D328® jet, enhancing the passenger experience of our operating aircraft. This selection is a significant step within the D328eco development schedule, as we are now completing the interior selection for the cabin, cargo and cockpit. I look forward to a long-term relationship and many happy customers.”

Welcoming the contract announcement, Neil Cairns, Chief Executive of Acro Aircraft Seating, said, “We are delighted at this latest endorsement for our versatile Acro Series 9, particularly as Deutsche Aircraft is so widely respected in the industry, not only for its commitment to the very best in engineering design, quality and innovation, but also for its far-sighted sustainability policies.  The Acro Series 9 delivers on every aspect, providing quantifiable and tangible benefits alongside elegant aesthetics and supreme comfort. It’s a perfect partnership and we’re excited about contributing to the ongoing success story at Deutsche Aircraft.”

Greater comfort with a sustainable touch

The Acro Series 9 seats are designed to provide maximum comfort for passengers on short-haul flights, with convenient amenities such as USB sockets for charging devices. These seats are lightweight and contribute to the sustainable aviation mission of Deutsche Aircraft and the D328eco by reducing the cabin weight and reducing fuel burn as a result. Deutsche Aircraft is committed to collaborating with key suppliers who prioritise the use of innovative and environmentally friendly materials and finishes.

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About Acro Aircraft Seating

Acro Aircraft Seating is one of the leading manufacturers of passenger seats for commercial airlines around the world. Founded in 2007, the business has built a reputation for creating contemporary seating that is robust, lightweight and easily maintainable whilst offering exceptional passenger comfort and living space. The company’s UK headquarters is located in Crick, Northamptonshire. Acro also has a site in Shanghai and Customer Support Operations in the USA. The company currently serves more than 50 airlines throughout the world and is a trusted supplier to the world's leading leasing companies. For more information, go to https://acro.aero/

About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to propel the aviation industry forward with innovative solutions. Supported by a highly skilled and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco. As type certificate holder and service partner for existing D328® (both prop and jet) operators worldwide, the company is uniquely positioned to complement the existing fleet with this next-generation aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft employs the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner for the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft is working with key players in the industry to achieve climate-neutral flights.

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Press Contact

‍Christian Puerschel                                      

Head of Communications & PR

Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

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Weßling, 30 May 2023 – In March 2020, Deutsche Aircraft and Simulator Training Solution GmbH (STS) established a successful collaboration to provide simulator training for the D328® turboprop and jet. STS is a key service provider for Deutsche Aircraft, offering our current D328® operators state-of-the-art simulator training services.

On the strategic partnership with STS, Nico Neumann (COO Deutsche Aircraft GmbH) remarks, “For Deutsche Aircraft, the collaboration with STS is a powerful tool to support our customers operating the D328® worldwide. STS has an innovative approach that is fully in line with our corporate strategy and customer focus, up to the goal of offering sustainable complete solutions in the regional aircraft market.”

Jan Hünerfeld (CEO of STS GmbH) states that, “With our state-of-the-art D328® simulator training centre, we are looking forward to a sustainable and successful regional aviation future. At STS, we want to play a key role in Deutsche Aircraft’s sustainable aviation mission, especially with how we carry out operations at our simulator training centre.”

Sustainable all the way

In line with Deutsche Aircraft’s strategy to provide sustainable solutions in regional aviation, STS will install solar panels on the rooftop of the training centre, allowing the simulators to be powered by up to 70% solar energy. In the next phase, they plan to completely power the D328® Simulator Training Centre with 100% renewable energy.

STS is also thinking outside the box when it comes to the travel arrangements for flight crews, as there are electric cars available for their disposal to transport trainees to and from the training establishment.

About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to propel the aviation industry forward with innovative solutions. Supported by a highly skilled and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco™. As type certificate holder and service partner for existing D328® (both prop and jet) operators worldwide, the company is uniquely positioned to complement the existing fleet with this next-generation aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft applies the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner for the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft is working with key players in the industry to achieve climate-neutral flights.

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Press Contact

‍Christian Puerschel                                      

Head of Communications & PR

Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

Leipzig, 16 May 2023 – Today, the management team of Deutsche Aircraft and stakeholders and representatives from Leipzig/Halle Airport, the German government and the Free State of Saxony met for the ground-breaking ceremony of the aircraft assembly line for the new 40-seat turboprop aircraft, the D328eco.

“At Deutsche Aircraft, we take great pride in the construction of our state-of-the-art and climate-friendly final assembly line,” says Nico Neumann (COO, Deutsche Aircraft). The assembly line will be built and operated in compliance with the best industry practices and sustainability principles.

“This is a key milestone in our D328eco programme and we are pleased to take this step following our programme objectives,” adds Dave Jackson (CEO, Deutsche Aircraft).

The German government has acknowledged the significant role of Deutsche Aircraft in the aviation industry. “For the German government, Deutsche Aircraft is a strategic partner for the sustainable development of the aviation industry. The D328eco is an important industrial policy project for the German government,” says Dr. Anna Christmann (Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace). “The planned use of 100% SAF in the D328eco as a market-ready option is a key milestone for the aviation industry worldwide. In the coalition agreement, we set ourselves the goal of making Germany a pioneer in climate-neutral aviation.”

The strategic orientation of Deutsche Aircraft and Leipzig/Halle Airport with the support of the Free State of Saxony makes Leipzig an attractive location for the assembly line. The region has an excellent infrastructure, sufficient space and a qualified workforce. In addition, Saxony has a long tradition of aircraft construction, which Deutsche Aircraft can now build on.

Michael Kretschmer (Prime Minister of the Free State of Saxony) remarks that “The establishment of Deutsche Aircraft at Leipzig Airport is a great success and underscores Saxony’s attractiveness as a business location. For the first time since reunification, a final assembly line for aircraft construction is being built in the new federal states. As an aircraft manufacturer, Deutsche Aircraft will strengthen the aerospace industry in Saxony and complement the excellent research facilities, supplier companies and maintenance and conversion experts in the Free State. Up to 350 new jobs will be created at Leipzig Airport with state-of-the-art and, more importantly, climate-friendly production conditions.”

The assembly line will be built on approximately 62,000 square meters and will have a production capacity for forty-eight D328eco aircraft per year. In addition to the production hall, a hangar will be built for aircraft delivery, along with a logistics centre and an administration building with parking spaces.

According to Götz Ahmelmann (CEO of Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG) “Deutsche Aircraft’s new assembly line at Leipzig/Halle Airport will make our airport one of the beacons of sustainable aviation. The D328eco sets the standard in terms of climate-friendly production and environmentally friendly flying."

“The assembly line is designed to be completely CO2-neutral,” explains Sebastian Böhnl (Director of Infrastructure and Digitalization, Deutsche Aircraft) as he outlines the energy concept for the whole production facility. “We will produce around 750 kW of solar power with a photovoltaic system on the roof. From the use of heat pumps, the optional expansion with energy storage, green spaces on the roof and the wood-concrete hybrid construction, to electric charging stations for cars and bicycles, this innovative investment is well-integrated into a sustainable production ecosystem.”
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Background information German Aircraft Final Assembly Line

100% climate-friendly

CO2-neutral energy concept – use of renewable energy

Solar power through photovoltaics on the roof (750 kW/p.a.)

Use of efficient heat pumps

Energy storage can be optionally integrated: smart grid batteries or hydrogen fuel cell

Green deck on all buildings

Wood-concrete hybrid construction for administration building

Electric charging stations for cars and bicycles using energy from PV

100% digital

Paperless production throughout all processes

Automated and driverless transport systems

Automated parts and tool storage

3D model-supported production with the possibility of AR (augmented reality)

100% modern + lean

Newly designed, efficient manufacturing tools (e.g. for the fuselage)

Use of energy-efficient battery tools

Optimal process flows (digitally designed and supported)

Production line tailored to D328eco

New generation integral factory planning

Glass factory with the possibility for customers to visit the production line

Expansion options planned for the site

Key specifications

62,000 sqm site (about twice the area of the Lincoln MemorialReflecting Pool)

Final Assembly Line (FAL) and Flight Readiness Hangar (FR)

Logistics Centre (LSC) and Administration Building

Production capacity for forty-eight D328eco aircraft per year

250–350 new employees

Investment: >100 million EUR

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Press Contact

‍Christian Puerschel                                    

Head of Communications & PR

Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

Leipzig, 16 May 2023 – Deutsche Aircraft and Private Wings are pleased to announce that they have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) today for the delivery of five D328eco aircraft – the brand new 40-seater sustainable turboprop regional airliner from Deutsche Aircraft. The collaboration was announced during the ground-breaking ceremony for the D328eco final assembly line at Leipzig/Halle Airport.

The D328eco will facilitate sustainable regional connections as it offers the lowest fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions on the market. This aircraft is designed to operate on 100% SAF power-to-liquid (PtL), which can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 95%.

The outstanding flight characteristics and versatility of the D328eco allow it to reach destinations with short and unpaved runways in challenging weather conditions. This will open up new routes to connect businesses and people. An integrated Garmin Companion™ flight deck, brand-new PW127XT-S engines and a comfortable and quiet cabin make the D328eco turboprop ahead of its time: an innovative and robust aircraft which offers maximum comfort for passengers and flight crew. The combination of these features sets the D328eco apart as the most efficient, modern and sustainable regional aircraft in its class.

“We see the D328eco as a great addition to our existing fleet of ten Dornier 328® aircraft. The D328eco is a natural step forward for Private Wings as we look to grow our business and fleet and seek the most operationally efficient yet sustainable solution to meet the needs of the market,” says Peter Gatz, (CEO of Private Wings).

Private Wings, an owner-operated airline based at Berlin Schoenefeld and Ingolstadt Airport, specialises in corporate shuttles as well as charter flights for events and sports teams. Private Wings currently has a fleet of nine Dornier 328 turboprops, a Dornier 328 jet and a Beech 1900D.

“On the occasion of the ground-breaking ceremony for our final assembly line, it gives us great pleasure to announce that Private Wings, an established German operator and current operator of the D328® family of aircraft, is our first customer for the new D328eco. This partnership is not only an important milestone, but also a clear sign of our long-standing operator's commitment to the D328® fleet,” remarks Anastasija Visnakova, (Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Deutsche Aircraft). “Deutsche Aircraft will continue to support the long-term business goals of sustainable growth and versatile operations at Private Wings,” she adds.
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About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft is a German aircraft manufacturer built on the heritage of aviation pioneers that continues to propel the aviation industry forward with innovative solutions. Supported by a highly skilled and passionate team of international engineers and aviation experts, Deutsche Aircraft is developing the most advanced regional aircraft on the market: the D328eco. As type certificate holder and service partner for existing D328® (both prop and jet) operators worldwide, the company is uniquely positioned to complement the existing fleet with this next-generation aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft employs the latest technologies and best practices to ensure the highest levels of reliability, efficiency and sustainability for the D328eco. As a strategic partner for the sustainable development of regional air transport, Deutsche Aircraft is working with key players in the industry to achieve climate-neutral flights.

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Press Contact

‍Christian Puerschel                                      

Head of Communications & PR

Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

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‍Munich, May 12 2023 Deutsche Aircraft is pleased to announce the appointment of Hendrik Brand as the new CFO for Deutsche Aircraft Group companies in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich. Hendrik will lead and manage the group’s Finance & IT organization, working closely with all internal and external stakeholders to support the growth and development of the company.

Prior to his appointment, Hendrik served as Group CFO for Satair in Hamburg - a leader in aviation spare parts distribution and as CFO for EFW in Dresden - an OEM supplier for composite panel and Pax-to-Freighter conversions. As Vice President of Finance, he also gained major insights into the overall Airbus OEM business in Toulouse.

“Deutsche Aircraft has the proven product to accelerate the transition on a realistic timeline to more sustainable regional flights,” says Dave Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Aircraft. “Our business case, including the respective positioning of the after-market business, where Hendrik has years of experience, will be crucial for the long-term development of the company and gaining the trust of our shareholders.”

Newly appointed Chief Financial Officer of Deutsche Aircraft Group, Hendrik Brand, remarks, “I like being part of a company that builds something new and growing our business in the aviation industry. Timing is of the essence and having the right people on board will finally make the difference for our success. I personally hope that we can continue to deliver according to our promises and keep the mindset open to reflect market dynamics and expectations.”

Hendrik is a sports enthusiast and plays hockey in his spare time. Having undertaken leadership goals for global teams in several European countries, Hendrik brings 20 years of international aviation experience to this position. He has personal experience working with start-up companies over the last 12 years and looks forward to jointly develop the culture of Deutsche Aircraft.

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Press Contact

‍Christian Puerschel                                      

Head of Communications & PR

Email: pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

As we conclude the first quarter of 2023, I would like to express my gratitude to the Deutsche Aircraft team for your continued dedication and hard work. Together, we are growing our organisation and I am excited to share some significant updates with you.

Our team continues to expand and we have reached a milestone of 450 professionals. We aim to recruit an additional 150 specialists in 2023, building a team of 600 by the end of this year. Seeing the immense interest and high-quality applications has been truly encouraging.

To accommodate our continued growth, a large portion of our team has moved into a brand-new, state-of-the-art building. We are currently in the process of refurbishing other offices to provide the additional space necessary for our growing divisions to collaborate and innovate effectively.

Our commitment to nurturing company culture remains a top priority. In collaboration with BLACKBOX OPEN, our HR department has conducted several leadership training sessions to emphasise the key traits we value in our employees. Beyond professional expertise, we want to foster and promote personal accountability, a can-do attitude, and a test-and-fail approach (without compromising safety) to drive innovation and growth.

We are also proud to announce a significant development in the multi-role capabilities of both the D328® and the D328eco™. In February, we received certification for the In-Flight Operable Door (IFOD), which adds value for our customers and expands the horizons of the D328® and D328eco as an MR platform. The IFOD modification also includes the installation of secure handles, attachment points for harnesses and stores, and non-slip flooring to ensure the safety of crew members.

Sustainability in aviation is also taking off, and we are delighted to witness an increasing focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and realistic technologies from regulatory and industry perspectives, with early impact potential to decarbonise regional aviation. Deutsche Aircraft is thrilled to be part of this critical transition, as it confirms our strategy to engineer the D328eco for 100% SAF compatibility and Power-to-Liquid (PtL). Of course, we will continue to investigate other fuels and novel propulsion concepts.

As we prepare for the groundbreaking ceremony at our Final Assembly Line in Q2, which will be a significant milestone for our programme, we continue to engage with our Industry Advisory Board to ensure our product development aligns with market needs. Encouragingly, we have received substantial interest in the D328eco™ from both lessors and airlines.

In addition to fine-tuning our organisational structure to reflect our growing team and focusing on accelerating product delivery, we are gearing up for pivotal announcements throughout the year. Stay tuned for more exciting developments!

Once again, thank you for your unwavering commitment to Deutsche Aircraft's mission. Together, we will continue to drive innovation, sustainability, and success in the aviation industry.

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Best Regards,

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Dave Jackson

CEO, Deutsche Aircraft

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Weßling, 21 February, 2023

Commissioned by NL EASP AIR and AeroRescue Pty Ltd, Deutsche Aircraft completed a major development in the multi-role capabilities of the D328®with the EASA Certification for the unique In-Flight Operable Door (IFOD). Originally conceived and operated by AeroRescue, who since 2009 use a Civil Aviation Authority of Australia STC, Deutsche Aircraft obtained the EASA Supplemental Type Certification (STC no. 10081145) for the IFOD, issued on 27 January, 2023.

Based on this, existing IFODs can be modified to meet EASA conformity, and the cargo door of any existing D328® can be replaced with an EASA approved IFOD. The IFOD modification also includes the installation of secure handles and attachment points for harnesses and stores, as well as non-slip flooring to ensure the safety of crew members.

“At Deutsche Aircraft, we are pleased to have achieved the certification,” says Nico Neumann, COO of Deutsche Aircraft, about this latest development. “This is not only good for special mission operators of our D328® but also an important potential add-on to our new multirole D328eco™.” According to Pieter Voeten, CEO of NL EASP AIR: “The EASA IFOD certification enables EASP AIR to bring this additional aerial drop capability to the D328®, which enhances what is already an excellent and reliable aircraft used in maritime patrol.” “This project is the culmination of dedication of all parties involved: Deutsche Aircraft, AeroRescue, and NL EASP AIR who will be the first to operate the IFOD using the EASA certification. This significant capability will enable the D328® to be operated in many more countries around the world in Search and Rescue or other special mission roles,” says Andy Cole of AeroRescue.

Dario Rigamonti, Chief Engineer at Deutsche Aircraft, is proud of his team for this achievement. “The EASA certification of IFOD is the result of dedication and hard work by our multidisciplinary team. This is a further step to providing practical, unique and innovative solutions to our operators, thanks to the versatility and reliability of the D328®,” he remarks.

Munich, January 27^th, 2023 - Work on the development of the D328eco^TM is going according to plan. As a result, Deutsche Aircraft continues to strengthen its Sales and Marketing team. The goal is to serve the customer in the best possible way and to provide the market with the best possible information about the new-generation turboprop aircraft "Made in Germany".

Nils Heuer recently joined Deutsche Aircraft in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich as the new Director Sales for the D328eco^TM programme. Before coming to Deutsche Aircraft, he was responsible for sales and business development in various roles at Lufthansa Technik AG. With more than ten years of experience in the aviation industry and his market orientation he is the ideal person for this position. "The D328eco^TM is unique in the market due to its combination of efficiency, performance and sustainability," says Nils Heuer. "I'm looking forward to working with our customers to unlock the diverse operational potential of the D328eco^TM." Nils has completed an integrated Master's degree programme, with degrees in industrial engineering and aviation systems engineering (Lufthansa Technik / Technical University of Braunschweig / University of Applied Sciences Bremen). 

Christian Pürschel started at the same time as Head of Communications + PR also in Oberpfaffenhofen. Christian has a successful track record in communicating and marketing innovations and industrial products at thyssenkrupp, among others. His international experience for customer projects and the sustainability agenda rounds off his profile. "With Deutsche Aircraft's mission and the production of the D328eco^TM we will make regional air transport future-proof together with our customers and partners," says Christian Pürschel, looking ahead to his role. Christian holds a Master’s degree in economics (University of Augsburg).

Nils and Christian will both report to Anastasija Visnakova, Vice President Sales & Marketing Deutsche Aircraft.

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In 2022, Deutsche Aircraft celebrated major milestones and set new benchmarks in regional aviation.

Our commitment to new ideas and connecting with like-minded partners has ensured our message of sustainability is being heard in the international aviation community.

We obtained a trio of ISO certifications that demonstrate our commitment to the highest quality and environmental standards, and signed MoUs with the North Energy Cluster and Sasol ecoFT to develop solutions towards more climate-neutral aviation technologies.

We continued close collaborations and formed strategic new partnerships with the aim of building a network of trusted and sustainable partners to support the development of our D328eco™. We reinforced our commitment to a more sustainable aviation ecosystem during the Aircraft Supplier Summit in Leipzig in November, where we announced additions to our list of trusted partners.

We announced Pratt & Whitney Canada as our engine provider that will supply our D328eco with their latest PW127XT-S engine.

We also announced the production readiness of a new landing gear, which will be compatible with the entire Dornier D328® family, including the existing in-service fleet as well as with our new D328eco aircraft.

From a programme standpoint, we carried out a wind tunnel test campaign for aerodynamics and performed the first successful engineering test on a digital twin and physical demonstrator of the wing spar box.

We also concluded our Product Design Review phase, using feedback from potential customers and discussions with key suppliers to enhance our product through our engineering, program and supply chain teams. Our new FAL building at Leipzig Airport is making good progress, with ground-breaking scheduled for 2024.

During the recent General Assembly of the European Regions Airline Association, we announced that we have signed an MOU with ACIA Aero Leasing to further support the marketing effort on a variety of configurations for both our in-service D328 and D328eco, including passenger, multi-role and firefighting variants. 

Alongside our D328eco programme, we revealed more information on the exciting LuFo Project, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of low and zero emission ground and flight operations using a modified Dornier 328 aircraft as a main platform. In collaboration with numerous partners, this experimental project will pave the way to testing tomorrow’s CO₂-free propulsion technologies.

Last but not least, we celebrated our second anniversary as an established OEM on December 7, which coincides with the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Day. Looking back at 2022, we have strengthened our team with nearly 130 passionate, full-time employees, new senior executives and board members, bringing us today close to 400 employees . . . with many more to come.

We are proud to witness the significant growth our overall global footprint this year, with over 10,000 interested followers on LinkedIn, as well as increased interest during the air shows and conferences that we attended, particularly at ILA Berlin, Farnborough International Airshow in the UK and the Aircraft Supplier Summit in Leipzig.

Thank you for your contribution to our success this year.

We will continue to work hard and aim to reach even higher in 2023!

Strategic partnership for sustainable aviation .

Dubai - OHB and AFK’s joint company DAH Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH on Thursday, December 8^th, signed an agreement to secure an important minority equity investment in DeutscheAircraft Holdings (DAH), the sole owner of Deutsche Aircraft Group companies. The investment comes from a joint venture between aerospace company OHB SE and investment company AFK Enterprise AG and will propel development of new green aviation technologies including the D328eco^®, an environmentally friendly version of the acclaimed Do328 short-haul passenger aircraft manufactured by Deutsche Aircraft GmbH. Under the agreement, the investors have the potential to acquire additional ownership up to a majority at a later point in time.

The partnership fuels progress on the D328eco and Leipzig production facilities, as well as opens opportunities for development of future aircraft variants in new international markets.

Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft said: “This investment reaffirms both the strong market need for a proven regional aircraft and underpins the belief in the green aviation sector, in particular the opportunities Deutsche Aircraft’s new D328eco aircraft will offer.”

Deutsche Aircraft’s D328 series of aircraft is founded on the proud heritage of Dornier and Deutsche Aircraft is the holder of the Do328® type certificate. With new propulsion systems, latest-generation avionics and more seats, the D328eco will set new standards for environmentally friendly short-haul flying. Deutsche Aircraft is also studying a variety alternative fuel and future climate-neutral propulsion systems as part of its product roadmap. The Do328 is the last commercial aircraft to date to have been developed and built entirely in-house by a German company - and this will also be the case with the D328eco.

The equity stake in DAH is subject to approval from the German Government which is currently supporting development of the D328eco with a high-volume development cost loan and in addition, supports development of clean aviation initiatives at Deutsche Aircraft. The transaction is anticipated to close during the first quarter of 2023 following regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

“With this investment we are significantly strengthening our Aerospace business segment,” said Dr. Lutz Bertling, member of OHB SE’s management board. “Beyond the current project, OHB intends to develop with its partners strategically more joint business in Europe, the United States and Middle East, including beyond aviation, with first projects already under discussion in the defence and space sectors.”

“For us, this investment is another important step in diversifying our portfolio into mobility with environmentally friendly drives,” said Dr. Berthold Peikert, CEO AFK Enterprise AG.

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About AFK Enterprise

AFK Enterprise AG, based in Switzerland, the industrial arm of the AFK Kumar Family Office, operates as a private owned single-family office mandated with the preservation, management and growth of the AFK Kumar family’s wealth and assets. AFK makes strategic investments across a wide range of markets, focused on equity and growth capital. With the international outlook towards investment, AFK actively pursues and engages in abroad variety of investment opportunities in high-tech in Europe, US, Middle East, India, Asia as well as in emerging markets.

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About OHB SE

OHB SE is a German space and technology group and one of the leading independent forces in the European space industry. With many years of experience in the implementation of demanding projects, OHB SE is excellently positioned to face international competition and can offer its customers a broad portfolio of innovative products in its three business units: Space Systems, Aerospace and Digital. The company employs around 3,000 people and generates a total revenue of around one billion euros.

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About Deutsche Aircraft GmbH

Deutsche Aircraft is Germany’s new purpose-driven OEM. Founded on the heritage of aircraft pioneers, DeutscheAircraft’s new D328eco™ aircraft is being developed to deliver significant improvements in operational and maintenance costs as well as reductions in the overall carbon footprint. This is in line with its vision and strategic roadmap to support a more sustainable future for aviation. The D328eco will offer maximum flexibility being able to operate on existing aviation fuel, as well as compatible with 100% H2-PtL. The aircraft will be assembled in the paperless Final Production Line (FAL) at Leipzig/Germany. All parameters are in high demand in the current aviation environment, and we already see an increased interest in the D328eco from our potential customers and partners.www.deutscheaircraft.com

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As 2022 draws to a close, I want to sincerely thank our customers, business partners and the employees at Deutsche Aircraft for your loyalty and support.

Deutsche Aircraft celebrated its second anniversary on December 7th and our company continues to grow steadily, drawing on the heritage of Dornier and building on the expertise of the colleagues who have joined us since 2020. Our people are our most important resource, and we are grateful and proud of the accomplishments of our team.

As we all know, the only constant in this industry is change. Over the past year, Deutsche Aircraft has proven that we are capable of responding to challenging circumstances and industry needs. Despite the turbulence of the global pandemic, supply chain issues and regulatory changes, our team remains committed to maintaining the highest standards.

2022 was a very productive year for DeutscheAircraft. We signed numerous contracts with major suppliers for the D328eco™ programme, including:

In addition, we have teamed up with ACIA Aero Leasing in marketing efforts to promote the D328eco and Legacy aircraft in firefighting configurations. We have also provided continuous support to our valued operators and renewed our long-standing maintenance contracts for the in-service D328® fleet of Eagle Air and Private Wings. We are proud to be part of the reliable and robust operations of the D328® fleet across the world; time and again, this aircraft is proving itself as best in class, with one of the highest levels of reliability in the industry.

This year, Deutsche Aircraft participated in a number of international airshows and conferences, including ILA (Berlin), Farnborough Airshow (UK), ERA General Assembly (Portugal), Towards Sustainable Aviation (Toulouse), Fit for Future and the 12th Aviation Forum (Munich). We were also delighted that the Prime Minister of the German Federal State of Saxony sponsored the first Aircraft Supplier Summit in Leipzig. The presence of Deutsche Aircraft at these conferences allows us to promote the unique qualities of our aircraft and ensure that our message of sustainability is being heard in the global aviation community.

In 2023, we will continue to work hard and aim high. We are looking forward to several critical milestones, including moving to new offices in Oberpfaffenhofen and the ground-breaking ceremony for our Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Leipzig-Halle Airport. In June, we will take part in the Paris Air Show, where we hope to connect with some of our partners and future operators.

Thank you all for your contribution to our success this year. We wish you a happy and healthy holiday, surrounded by family and friends, and a fantastic new year.

Best wishes,

Dave Jackson

You are very likely to come across the term 'greenhouse effect' when discussing climate change. Although the greenhouse effect is a natural mechanism that contributes to our planet with many advantages, there's another side of the story. Why is this phenomenon such a concern? What are greenhouse gases and what are their effects on Earth? In this article we will aim to answer these questions.

What Are Greenhouse Gases?

If the Earth had no atmosphere there would be radiative balance. In this case, the energy balance between solar irradiation (ultraviolet radiation or UV = extremely shortwave radiation) and terrestrial radiation (infrared radiation or IR = extremely longwave radiation) is equal. In this scenario, the Earth's surface temperature would be -18°C.

Fortunately, there is an atmosphere around the Earth where atmospheric gases are withheld. These atmospheric gases absorb and emit radiation and interact with solar and terrestrial radiation, increasing the surface temperature of our planet to an average of 15°C.

The Earth primarily consists of nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), argon (1%) and trace gases. The natural greenhouse effect is mainly caused by the following gases:

Water vapour

Carbon dioxide

Ozone (near ground level)

Nitrous oxide

Methane

Other gases

These natural gases trap thermal energy in the atmosphere and make life on Earth possible. Also, clouds interact with the Earth’s radiation in the atmosphere. Clouds can heat and cool the atmosphere, depending on how much radiation they reflect back versus how much infrared radiation they keep back, just like greenhouse gases. The so-called anthropogenic or artificial greenhouse effect amplifies the natural greenhouse effect, leading to increased global temperatures by gases emitted from human activities (see the list of gases above).

The Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change

Greenhouse gases have far-ranging effects on the environment and health. They cause climate change by trapping heat and contribute to respiratory disease from smog and air pollution. Extreme weather, food supply disruptions and increased wildfires are other effects of climate change. Typical weather patterns are already changing. As a consequence, some species will disappear and others will migrate. Perhaps the biggest, most noticeable impact is glaciers, and ice caps melting faster than usual. The meltwater drains into the oceans, causing sea levels to rise.

Greenhouse gas emissions affect more than just temperature. Another impact involves changes in precipitation, such as rain and snow. Over the course of the 20th century, precipitation has increased in eastern parts of North and South America, northern Europe, and northern and central Asia. As climates change, so do the habitats for living things. Animals that are adapted to a specific environment may become threatened. Many human societies depend on predictable rain patterns in order to grow particular crops for food, clothing, and trade. If the climate of an area changes, the people who live there may no longer be able to grow the crops, they depend on for survival.

Considering the disruptive effects of greenhouse gases on our planet, it is no surprise that most climate scientists and experts are calling on individuals to reduce the number of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. Preserving the world we live in and pushing towards the next level is more possible than ever before. At Deutsche Aircraft, we are putting in our utmost effort, both as individuals and as an organisation, by investing in energy efficiency and sustainability. Join the march towards universal greenhouse gas emission reduction today!

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Deutsche Aircraft is pleased to announce the appointment of Maximilian D. Fahr as Vice President, Supply Chain, effective 01 November, 2022. Based in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich, Maximilian will lead and manage the supply chain organisation of the company, working closely with strategic partners to ensure highest levels of quality and efficiency to accelerate the transition to more sustainable flying.

Prior to his appointment, Maximilian served as Director of Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft since 2020. He previously held operational and strategic positions at Airbus’ Corporate Headquarter, in China and in South Korea, including sourcing for the Tianjin A320 Final Assembly Line and as Supplier Development Director for Airbus Group Asia Pacific and is a Form 4 holder with Germany’s Airworthiness Authority (LBA).

Nico Neumann, Chief Operating Officer of Deutsche Aircraft says: “Deutsche Aircraft has the proven product to accelerate the transition on a realistic timeline to more sustainable flying in regional aviation and thus supporting global regional development. Our partners and suppliers are an integral element for our industrial set-up which will subsequently see serial-production aircraft assembly in Leipzig.”

Maximilian Fahr says: “It is a pivotal moment in which we are building a new company, transitioning to new models and incorporating disruptive technologies. I am looking forward to continuing to work with outstanding professionals, facing the reality of a post-pandemic world in which resilience and sustainability in production and operation are key.”

Maximilian brings an unrivalled international experience to this position, having lived and worked in over ten countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. He is fluent in English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese and communicates in Mandarin.

Paying close and thoughtful attention to sustainability is increasingly becoming indispensable for all industries; moreover, it has evolved into a deliberate organisational approach set to establish long-lasting concrete corporate standards. We at Deutsche Aircraft believe that a sustainable business conduct is the cornerstone of our success, short, medium and long-term and that this gives value for the society we live in. With our new D328eco^TM aircraft we are establishing easy access to affordable, energy-efficient, cost-effective and eco-friendly aircraft, moving towards a sustainable future through reshaping the means of world travel. Our fundamental responsibility is to diminish our ecological footprint, sustainable both economically and ecologically.

Deutsche Aircraft in Sustainable Development

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interconnected goals which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. There is no doubt that the entire global aviation industry has an important role to support and carry forward these goals. Deutsche Aircraft is proud to be one of the flagships of the aviation industry in integrating sustainability at the very core of its organisational structure. We constantly strengthen and reinforce our activities to promote a greater holistic perspective of sustainability and have therefore chosen to focus on eight of the SDGs where we believe our actions will have a meaningful influence and will inspire others in our industry and beyond.

These are the eight SDGs Deutsche Aircraft is focusing on:

- Quality Education

- Gender Equality

- Affordable and Clean Energy

- Decent Work and Economic Growth

- Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

- Responsible Consumption and Production

- Climate Action

- Partnerships for the Goals

This article will highlight how Deutsche Aircraft implements three of the eight SDGs. Have a look at what our subject experts say.

Affordable and Clean Energy: Robert Schreiber, our Project Leader for Alternative Fuels, explains how Deutsche Aircraft works on how to integrate affordable and clean energy into our new aircraft, the D328eco^TM, defining Deutsche Aircraft’s aim of increasing the global use of alternative energies.

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Florian Troeltsch, our Overall Aircraft Design Engineer, carries out a deep dive into our 328H2FC project, co-funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK), focusing on the use of hydrogen to move towards our target of carbon-free cruise flight. Ingmar Geiss, our Senior Development Engineer, explains how Deutsche Aircraft uses innovative technologies move towards sustainable aviation.

Climate Action: Deutsche Aircraft carries out extensive research dedicated to understanding CO2 and non-CO2 emissions and appropriate measures to curtailing the climate impact caused by aviation. Fulya Keles, our Sustainable Aircraft Design and Operations Engineer, describes how Deutsche Aircraft works towards a climate-neutral future

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Deutsche Aircraft is a partner of this year's Aircraft Supplier Summit in Leipzig, the future production site of the D328eco™. This aviation industry symposium is an opportunity to build a network of like-minded partners from different business sectors, academia and politics to establish a sustainable ecosystem of the future. For the further development of the D328eco programme it is essential to grow our regional footprint.

Deutsche Aircraft is pleased to announce the selection of further key suppliers based on their time-to-market capabilities, supply chain resilience, sustainability across the life-cycle of the product and economic reality. These include: Bucher Leichtbau AG, Elbe Flugzeugwerke and Reiser Simulation and Training.

Deutsche Aircraft has selected Bucher Leichtbau AG for the galley and partitions for the D328eco cabin. The companies today signed a General Terms Agreement (GTA). Since the beginning of discussions, Bucher has shown a clear understanding of our requirements. Their decades-long know-how regarding cabin interior monuments and lightweight construction whilst being open-minded regarding innovation and the brilliant finishing quality on the product makes them the perfect partner for the galley and partitions for the D328eco.

Deutsche Aircraft and Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) agreed on the supply of floor panels for the D328eco fuselage which will be designed by Deutsche Aircraft. EFW is headquartered in Dresden and therefore at proximity to Deutsche Aircraft’s future Final Assembly Line (FAL), supporting local industrial capabilities to deliver on the D328eco programme. The competence of EFW as an experienced global industry player enables Deutsche Aircraft to combine the engineering excellence of the D328® with modern manufacturing processes to achieve an attractive and competitive product.

Deutsche Aircraft is pleased to announce the cooperation with Reiser Simulation and Training GmbH [Reiser] to accelerate and proactively participate in the flight test campaign and certification for the D328eco. In direct support to this, Reiser will develop and provide the D328eco Engineering Cockpit Simulator, a fully instrumented flight deck connected to a high-fidelity aircraft simulation. The Engineering Simulator is therefore a key asset in the aircraft development programme and will provide the ability to test key system functions and aircraft characteristics in a safe and virtual environment. Reiser, based near Munich, is a leading provider of high-performance flight simulators and maintenance trainers. Deutsche Aircraft is proud of this newest development of the D328eco Engineering Simulator.

Leipzig/München, 15.11.2022: Deutsche Aircraft freut sich, der Partner des diesjährigen Aircraft Supplier Summits zu sein, der vom 15.-16. November 2022 im Globana Trade Center in Leipzig stattfindet. Diese Konferenz an unserem zukünftigen Produktionsstandort bietet eine regionale Supply Chain-Perspektive, fokussiert auf lokal für lokal, mit einem reduziertem CO2-Fußabdruck, belastbare Lieferketten, aufbauend auf den in Deutschland bestehenden Fähigkeiten.

Mit dem Aircraft Supplier Summit ermutigen wir die deutschen Lieferanten dazu am Wiederaufbau der regionalen Flugzeugmontage in Deutschland aktiv teilzunehmen. Der Aircraft Supplier Summit ist eine kleine und persönliche Veranstaltung, die Menschen zusammenbringt und den Geist der Zusammenarbeit fördert, wie Deutsche Aircraft das in ihren Unternehmenswerten definiert.

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Diese Fachtagung der Luftfahrtindustrie bietet die Gelegenheit zum Aufbau eines Netzwerks gleichgesinnter nachhaltiger Partner aus verschiedenen Geschäftsbereichen, der Wissenschaft und der Politik für den Aufbau eines nachhaltigen Ökosystems der Zukunft. Die Diskussionen mit möglichen Lieferanten und dem Luftfahrsystem waren sehr erfreulich und wir freuen uns auf die gute und fruchtbare zukünftige Zusammenarbeit mit unseren Zulieferern.

Deutsche Aircraft baut die 328eco, ein neues Turboprop-Regionalflugzeug mit 40 Sitzen auf der Basis des Typzertifikats der Do328®. Das Flugzeug wird mit neuen Triebwerken des Typs Pratt & Whitney PW127XT-S fliegen, welche auch für synthetischen Kraftstoffzugelassen werden sollen. Zudem erhält die D328eco neben zahlreicher Systemupdates, einer neuen Cabin auch ein neues Cockpit, das Companion™ flight deck, entwickelt in Zusammenarbeit mit Garmin. Gefertigt wird das Flugzeug in einer neuen hochmodernen Endmontagelinie, die ab 2023 am Flughafen Leipzig/Halle gebaut werden soll.

Thomas Horn, Geschäftsführer der Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH (WFS) sagt: „Wir freuen uns, dass Deutsche Aircraft sich für Sachsen und Leipzig als Produktionsstandort entschieden hat und wir diese Entscheidung mitbegleiten konnten. Die jetzige Veranstaltung ist hervorragend geeignet, die vorhandenen Kompetenzen und die langjährige Erfahrung der sächsischen Luft- und Raumfahrtakteure im Flugzeugbau vorzustellen, Kooperationen auszuloten und ein entsprechendes Netzwerk aufzubauen.“

Götz Ahmelmann, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Mitteldeutschen Flughafen AG sagt: „Dass die neue Produktionslinie von Deutsche Aircraft am Flughafen Leipzig/Halle entsteht, lässt den Standort zu einer von nur zwei Fertigungsstätten für Verkehrsflugzeuge in Deutschland werden. Für die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung der Region ist das ein Meilenstein. Einmal mehr zeigt sich, wie attraktiv unser Airport für luftverkehrs- und technologieaffine Investoren ist. Ich bin überzeugt davon, dass ganz Mitteldeutschland von der Schaffung hochqualifizierter Arbeitsplätze in einer Zukunftsbranche profitieren wird.“

Prof. Dr.-Ing Hartmut Fricke, Sachsens Koordinator für die Luft- und Raumfahrt sagt: „Es ist ausgezeichnet, dass Sachsen mit diesem Engagement der Deutschen Aircraft zu eigenem Luftfahrzeugbau zurückfindet. Das Produkt-Portfolio mit der DO328eco im Fokus entspricht unserem Verständnis von nachhaltiger Mobilität und Produktion. Der heutige Event ist auch Ergebnis hochqualitativer Produkte sächsischer Unternehmen und luftfahrttechnischer Forschungen sächsischer Universitäten. Die Tatsache eines OEM-Unternehmens der Luftfahrt am Standort Leipzig wird diese positive Entwicklung beiderseits über Jahren stärken.“

Nico Neumann, COO Deutsche Aircraft sagt: „Die D328eco™ wird die Art und Weise, wie wir fliegen, verändern und dazu beitragen, den CO2-Fußabdruck zu reduzieren. Die Errichtung einer hochmodernen Endmontagelinie für die D328eco in Deutschland ist einer der Schlüssel für die Entwicklung unseres Programms und die Umsetzung unserer Ziele. Wir sind davon überzeugt, dass wir die Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt bei jedem Schritt im Flugzeugentwicklungsprozess reduzieren müssen. Das bedeutet auch, dass wir unsere Produktionsprozesse überdenken und dafür die richtige Anlage bauen müssen. Die Zusammenarbeit mit und die Unterstützung durch den Flughafen Leipzig/Halle, der Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen, den Experten von Dress und Sommer und des Freistaat Sachsen ermöglicht es uns hier, zahlreiche Erfahrungen zu nutzen und in die Planung und Umsetzung einfließen zu lassen. Darüber hinaus sind wir stolz darauf mit unserer Ansiedelung einen Beitrag zur Förderung der Wirtschaft in der Region zu leisten.“

The emphasis of the Summit is procurement excellence, resilience and sustainable supply chains.

The Aircraft Supplier Summit aims at driving a technological transformation to achieve sustainability, particularly regarding supply chain and procurement in aviation. The entire aviation ecosystem across Leipzig can benefit from this initiative.

Since day one, Deutsche Aircraft has dedicated itself to being the flagship of innovation within the industry, accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future. Our commitment to new ideas, collaboration and connecting with like-minded partners helps to realise our vision. We are pleased to be a strategic partner of this year's edition of the Aircraft Supplier Summit in Leipzig, where our future state-of-the-art, industry 4.0 and paperless Final Assembly Line (FAL) of the D328ecoTM will be located.

This summit will set down the groundwork for coming together with a mindset of sustainable and innovative concepts of supply chains, debating on how these can be implemented in partnership with suppliers, and how this then can benefit the entire ecosystem surrounding the aviation industry today.

We welcome the opportunity of having such an event, bringing together all involved parties of the aviation industry to build up a network of concurring sustainable partners from various business areas, academia and politics and laying out the foundations of a sustainable ecosystem today.

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Munich, Germany, October 25th, 2022 

Deutsche Aircraft has signed a follow-on maintenance contract with German-based business aviation operator Private Wings Flugcharter (PWF). PWF is one of the largest D328® operators in Europe, with a fleet of nine D328-100® turboprops and one D328® jet, having its base at the general aviation terminal of Manching Airport near Ingolstadt, Germany.

Peter Gatz, CEO of Private Wings Flugcharter says: “To operate around the clock on a varied schedule of flight missions all over Germany and Europe means that we must have the security of a dependable and accessible maintenance provider. We have enjoyed a good working relationship with Deutsche Aircraft management and its skilled engineers and technicians at Oberpfaffenhofen these past five years and are delighted to renew our maintenance contract with them.”

“Nico Neumann, COO of Deutsche Aircraft says: “Private Wings is a reliable business partner of ours, maintaining high standards within the aviation industry. This new contract continues the strong and long relationship between both companies and we are happy to be the exclusive service provider for the coming years and provide our valuable customer with continued support and reliability of the fleet of D328® aircraft. Furthermore, Private Wings and Deutsche Aircraft share the same vision of more climate-friendly regional aviation.” 

About Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft’s new D328eco™ aircraft is being developed to deliver significant improvements in operational and maintenance costs as well as reductions in the overall carbon footprint. This is in line with its vision and strategic road-map to support a more sustainable future for aviation. The D328eco will offer maximum flexibility being able to operate on existing aviation fuel, to being blended with up to up to 100% H2-PtL. The aircraft will be assembled in the paperless production line at Leipzig/Germany. All parameters are in high demand in the current aviation environment and we already see an increased interest in the D328eco from our potential customers and partners. www.deutscheaircraft.com

About Private Wings: 

Private Wings was founded in 1991 and initially operated in the air ambulance sector. Today the Berlin-based operator helps their clients to realise ideal flight solutions. No matter if guests travel to unforgettable events, athletes need to be on time for their matches or corporations sending their employees to different sides. Private Wing’s own Part-145 maintenance facility and CAMO [Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation] in Ingolstadt-Manching as well as a network of relatable suppliers support the operation in the best possible way.

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Companies Agree to Joint Efforts to Market Aircraft’s Firefighting Applications

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MUNICH, Germany - October 12 th , 2022 - German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft (“DA”) and ACIA Aero Leasing (“ACIA”), a leading provider of regional aircraft leasing and lease management services announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) to collaborate on marketing the manufacturer’s aircraft. The efforts will focus on the D328 ® and D328eco TM variants that provide passenger, multi-role, and firefighting aircraft configurations.

Wildfires are an increasingly prevalent source of devastation in many areas across the world every year, generating adverse impacts that are only compounded by the effects of climate change. In 2022, the world has already witnessed the highest frequency of wildfires in a decade. To support efforts in addressing this issue, DA and ACIA are joining forces to develop firefighting aircraft that will aid government agencies in deploying aircraft configured for this specific application.

The firefighting-configured D328eco is an ideal multi-role aircraft that can be used as a water-bomber and full-passenger aircraft. Therefore, it is well suited for this collaboration between DA and ACIA to cover Leasing, Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (“ACMI”) operations, and related support, delivering multiple advantages to operators with different requirements. ACIA will become a preferred lessor of DA aircraft for the marketing of D328® and D328eco aircraft in firefighting configurations, supporting cost reductions and efficiencies for various government agencies.

”ACIA believes in supporting the firefighting sector as we see increasing devastation from wildfires in many parts of the world. We support the initiative from Deutsche Aircraft to engage in this sector, where we can offer leasing solutions and support the marketing of their multi-role aircraft,” commented Sameer Adam, Senior Vice President, Commercial of ACIA Aero Leasing. “Multi-role aircraft can be challenging projects and we see an opportunity to offer a different approach to governments around the world. As they are managing multiple economic priorities, leasing can be a viable solution to support cost management and budget controls, while also bringing operational efficiencies through our partner organisations.”

Anastasija Visnakova, Vice President, Sales and Marketing of Deutsche Aircraft, added: “Our brand new D328eco will provide unmatched flexibility to special mission firefighting operators and prides a logical, reduced risk path towards sustainable aircraft operations,” with Dave Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Aircraft, concluding that “we are delighted to partner with ACIA as the preferred lessor for firefighting aircraft configurations to address the increasing issues of climate change and related devastating fires.”

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Deutsche Aircraft is continually growing, and I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Nico Neumann as Chief Operating Officer as well as Joint Managing Director of Deutsche Aircraft to support the further growth and strategic setup of the company. Nico began his career at 328SSG in 2007 and has held a range of operational positions within the company, most recently as the VP Operations and Programme. Nico continues to be the point of contact of Deutsche Aircraft for the German government, a position he held since being part of the team identifying and selecting the site for the final assembly line at Leipzig, as well as being responsible for Operations, Programme and Supply Chain.

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About Deutsche Aircraft

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Deutsche Aircraft’s new D328eco™ aircraft is being developed to deliver significant improvements in operational and maintenance costs as well as reductions in the overall carbon footprint. This is in line with its vision and strategic road-map to support a more sustainable future for aviation. The D328eco™ will offer maximum flexibility being able to operate on existing aviation fuel, to being blended with up to up to 100% H2-PtL. The aircraft will be assembled in the paperless production line at Leipzig/Germany. All parameters are in high demand in the current aviation environment and we already see an increased interest in the D328eco™ from our potential customers and partners.

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Welcome to the latest edition of the Deutsche Aircraft Quarterly Newsletter!
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It is a hugely exciting time for us here at Deutsche Aircraft: since I wrote to you last, we successfully showcased our D328eco^TM at air shows both in Germany and in the UK: in June at ILA Berlin Air Show in June, and in July at Farnborough International Air Show.
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At ILA, the Management team and I met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to provide him an update on our LuFo projects the German Federal Government is supporting and on Deutsche Aircraft and our D328eco Programme generally. We were pleased that the Prime Minister of Saxony Michael Kretschmar, as well as Anna Christmann, the Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Policy, also visited us at ILA, showing great interest in our ongoing projects.

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Deutsche Aircraft is continually growing, and I am very pleased announce the appointment of Nico Neumann as Chief Operating Officer as well as Joint Managing Director of Deutsche Aircraft. Nico began his career at 328SSG in 2007 and has held a range of operational positions within the company, most recently as the VP Operations and Programme to support the further growth and strategic setup of the company.

In August Anastasija Visnakova, formerly at De Havilland, joined the Management Team as the new VP Sales &; Marketing: she will be responsible for all aircraft sales, including the D328eco, the legacy D328^® aircraft, as well as overseeing marketing activities, overall communications and customer experience.

In addition to these appointments we are pleased to welcome over seventy employees who joined the company in the last four months.

In the last quarter Deutsche Aircraft has selected key suppliers for the engine, wing spar box, landing gear, aerostructures and the design of the materials supply chain.

We are very happy to have Pratt&Whitney on board who developed the PW127XT-S engine to power the D328eco regional turboprop. This engine, as part of the XT series, sets a new benchmark in regional aviation and will deliver a significant improvement in operating costs and sustainability.

With our supplier HEGGEMANN AG we have jointly created a digital twin as well as a physical prototype of the wing spar box, proving that the future production of the spar box is possible in an efficient way that saves material.

HEGGEMANN is also our supplier for the landing gear, now ready to go into production, which will be compatible with the entire Dornier 328 (D328^®) aircraft family, retrofittable to both turboprop and jet of the existing in-service fleet, as well as the new D328eco aircraft.

Aciturri, with whom we signed the contract at Farnborough, will manufacture the fairings, landing gear doors and flight control movables, using composite and metallic technologies. Deutsche Aircraft and Aciturri are working closely together towards the industrialisation of the programme, aiming to deliver the first parts for the prototype of the aircraft (T1) in the last quarter of 2024.

thyssenkrupp Aerospace is our strategic partner to design the materials supply chain for the D328eco: thyssenkrupp Aerospace’s supply chain experts will consult Deutsche Aircraft to develop the basis for a control tower solution that will ensure an optimal coordination of supply flows.

You will find all announcements in full under our news section: enjoy the read!

Dave Jackson

Munich, August 09 th , 2022 – Deutsche Aircraft and HEGGEMANN AG announce today the production readiness stage of the new landing gear, which will be compatible with the whole Dornier 328 (D328®) aircraft family. The landing gear is retrofittable to both turboprop and jet of the existing in-service fleet, as well as the new D328eco aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft has already secured 17 fixed orders plus 9 options for this new landing gear since opening the order book in February 2022, with first deliveries expected in the second half of 2024. HEGGEMANN will work on the industrialization of the supply chain set-up, to provide planning and delivery targets as well as visibility throughout the sub-tiers of this important work package. This partnership with HEGGEMANN perfectly supports current operators and new customers to address such an integral part of the aircraft.

Christian Howe, CEO of HEGGEMANN says: “We are delighted to be part of this hugely exciting programme, developed at an opportune time: not only the demand for regional travel is growing, but at the same time there is a need to supply older regional aircraft with new spare parts in order to guarantee a continuity in operation. We look forward to continue working with Deutsche Aircraft to further develop collaborative opportunities within the local supply chain and support the growing demand for the regional aviation industry.”

Nico Neumann, COO of Deutsche Aircraft comments: “The certification of the new D328eco landing gear, available via Service Bulletin, retrofittable to the entire current in-service fleet of D328® turboprop and jet fleet once more underpins Deutsche Aircraft’s ongoing effort to support the global fleet. We are glad to have such a strong and committed partner like HEGGEMANN by our side to be able to achieve our ambitious targets.”

Farnborough, July 18th, 2022 

Deutsche Aircraft and Aciturri announce today the appointment of Aciturri Aerostructures as reference supplier for selected composite technologies for the D328eco aircraft. The contract, signed at Farnborough Air Show (UK), stipulates that Aciturri will manufacture the fairings, landing gear doors and flight control movables, using composite and metallic technologies. Aciturri will also ensure the assembly of the components for integration on the final assembly line.

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Deutsche Aircraft and Aciturri are already working closely together towards the industrialisation of the programme, aiming to deliver the first prototype of the aircraft (T1) in the last quarter of 2024, as well as some parts of subsequent prototypes planned for 2025. Aciturri’s expertise and experience as a TIER1 aerostructures manufacturer is an important part in the development of the D328eco regional and special mission turboprop aircraft. 

Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft says: “Aciturri’s existing engineering and sustainability capabilities fully allow Deutsche Aircraft to meet time-to-market objectives of the D328eco, in alignment with Aciturri’s footprint based on an increased energy-efficient manufacturing lifecycle. We take pride in sharing the same vision on sustainability in our industry and are leading the way today to further develop innovative concepts.” 

Álvaro Fernández Baragaño, CEO of Aciturri says: “We are very grateful to Deutsche Aircraft for their confidence. Participating in the D328eco project is an excellent opportunity to bring our technological and industrial experience and capabilities to the development of a modern and sustainable aircraft. Regarding the possible scope for further collaboration both companies are focused on developing new technologies to support the urgently needed transition to an aircraft industry that is sustainable, by reducing our carbon footprint through cleaner production processes. I am confident that this is just the first step on a long road of common collaboration of Deutsche Aircraft and Aciturri. 

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Note to Editors

About Deutsche Aircraft

Founded on the proud heritage of Dornier and Germany’s reputation for engineering design, quality and innovation, Deutsche Aircraft is the new purpose-driven German Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Built on the expertise of 328 Support Services GmbH, Deutsche Aircraft will enable the future development of the D328 platform. We will exploit future technologies and capabilities to produce a more efficient, economic and environmentally-friendly aircraft to drive the future of aviation toward a zero-emission flight objective. Together with the participation of the German Government, Deutsche Aircraft is leading the way in a new era of clean aviation and is addressing the need to protect our planet and inspire future generations, for cleaner, safer and more efficient air travel.

About Aciturri

A family company founded in 1977, Aciturri is one of the main references worldwide in the development and manufacture of aeronautical components. With a turnover in 2020 of 350 million euros, the company has two lines of business; design, manufacture and assembly of aerostructures (wing assemblies, fuselage, empennage, etc); and the manufacture of engine components: primary structures, casings, rings and high precision machining.

Its customers include the main manufacturers in the sector: Airbus, Airbus Defence and Space, Boeing, Embraer, Deutsche Aircraft, Lilium, Safran Landing Systems, Safran Aircraft Engines, ITP Aero, and Rolls Royce.

The company currently has over 2,300 employees and work centres in Spain (Andalusia, Castile and Leon, Madrid, the Basque Country and Asturias), Portugal and Brazil.

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Farnborough, July 18^th, 2022

Deutsche Aircraft and thyssenkrupp Aerospace announce today that they are entering a strategic partnership to develop a material supply chain solution for the D328eco^TM aircraft. thyssenkrupp Aerospace, a company of thyssenkrupp Materials Services, will be responsible for the design of the material planning and procurement processes between multiple material and sub-tier suppliers.

thyssenkrupp Aerospace’s supply chain experts will consult Deutsche Aircraft to develop the basis for a control tower solution that will ensure an optimal coordination of supply flows. A transparent and centralised data assessment stands at the core of the solution, to align demand and supply within the manufacturing network, cutting out obsolete inventories and material shortfalls.

Patrick Marous, CEO of thyssenkrupp Aerospace says: “We are delighted to engage in this strategic partnership with Deutsche Aircraft. We believe that the best way to design an efficient and resilient supply chain is to integrate a strategic partner into the aircraft manufacturer’s value chain early on. Our control tower solutions are tailored to the specific needs of each customer and are designed in a collaborative co-creation process.

DaveJackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft says: “Together with thyssenkrupp Aerospace our mission is to drive the aviation industry towards a more climate-friendly supply chain to set new benchmarks when it comes to new aircraft manufacturing processes. Although strongly integrated in Germany, this initiative is part of a global effort to change the way our supply chain partners can provide more environmentally-focused strategies to eventually reduce the environmental impact of such large-scale manufacturing projects.”

Maximilian Fahr, Director of Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft adds: “The strategic capabilities of thyssenkrupp Aerospace will bring significant benefit across the supply chain and enable taking procurement decisions, in particular in times when global supply chain resilience is being challenged. The digitalisation of supply chain flows will enable proactive risk management and anticipate in an advanced risk management culture across the entire supply chain.”

This partnership with Deutsche Aircraft is yet another step in thyssenkrupp Aerospace’s strategy to offer Materials as a Service to their customers. As one of the world’s leading supply management and Third-Party Logistics (3PL) service providers in the market for raw materials, thyssenkrupp Aerospace offers end-to-end solutions to build resilient and digital supply chains. The company’s service portfolio is modular and scalable, encompassing all development stages from designing to managing and operating the supply chain for its customers.

With the D328eco^TM, Deutsche Aircraft is driving the transition of aviation to a more climate-friendly future by developing an aircraft that will be more environmentally-friendly and efficient to operate but also to produce. Deutsche Aircraft rigorously selects its suppliers and partners to develop more sustainability-driven processes that ensure higher efficiency and cost savings.   

Note to Editors

About Deutsche Aircraft

Founded on the proud heritage of Dornier and Germany’s reputation for engineering design, quality and innovation, Deutsche Aircraft is the new purpose-driven German Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Built on the expertise of 328 Support Services GmbH, Deutsche Aircraft will enable the future development of the D328 platform. We will exploit future technologies and capabilities to produce a more efficient, economic and environmentally-friendly aircraft to drive the future of aviation toward a zero-emission flight objective. Together with the participation of the German Government, Deutsche Aircraft is leading the way in a new era of clean aviation and is addressing the need to protect our planet and inspire future generations, for cleaner, safer and more efficient air travel.

About thyssenkrupp Aerospace

thyssenkrupp Aerospace is a leading global company that delivers supply chain solutions for the aerospace industry. The company’s network spans more than 40 sites in over 20 countries and its over 3,500 customers include the world’s biggest aerospace manufacturers and their suppliers. thyssenkrupp Aerospace offers supply chain management as well as a wide range of supply chain and manufacturing services.These include procurement of raw materials, warehousing, precision processing, third-party logistics, and just-in-time delivery.

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Munich, July 15th, 2022 - Deutsche Aircraft announces today the appointment of Anastasija Visnakova as its new VP Sales & Marketing, effective August 1st, 2022. Anastasija brings to Deutsche Aircraft over 15 years of aviation experience, gained both in the airline and aircraft OEM [Original Equipment Manufacturer] industries. Anastasija has held various executive positions in Air Baltic, Primera Air and DeHavilland Aircraft of Canada, focusing on sales, marketing, market development, and business development.

Leveraging her significant aviation and regional aviation experience, Anastasija will be responsible for all aircraft sales, including the D328eco™ aircraft, the legacy D328® aircraft, as well as overseeing marketing activities, overall communications and customer experience.

Anastasija Visnakova holds bachelor degrees in both social sciences and law. She is currently completing a LL.M. degree at the University of Edinburgh, focusing on Innovation and Technology. She also attended Harvard Business School and the Stockholm School of Economics, focusing on business administration, leadership and aviation management.

"I am excited to join Deutsche Aircraft as Vice President Sales and Marketing to further work on developing the product, the commercial team, the customer portfolio for D328eco™, as well as the legacy D328® business. Providing technology to the most modern standards, in combination with a reduced environmental footprint in operation and production, I believe that the D328eco™ is a fantastic product that will provide operators with the best choice in the market of turboprops up to 50 seats. At the same time this aircraft will be a great replacement for older regional jets up to 70 seats. Deutsche Aircraft have an amazing team of great professionals I am truly honoured to join: I am looking forward to working together with the team towards our goals.”

Deutsche Aircraft says: ”We are very pleased to have Anastasija joining the senior management team whilst we progress with the current programme and research activities”. “Her knowledge of the regional market gained in her previous positions will be an asset for us.”

Deutsche Aircraft’s new D328eco™ is being developed to deliver significant improvements in operational and maintenance costs as well as reductions in the overall carbon footprint. This is in line with their vision and strategic road-map to support a more sustainable future for aviation. The D328eco™ will offer maximum flexibility from normal aviation fuel, to a blend, and up to 100% H2-PtL. H2PtL has a similar CO2 footprint compared with H2 direct burn.

The aircraft will be assembled in the paperless production line at Leipzig/Germany. All parameters are in high demand in the current aviation environment and we already see an increased interest in the D328eco™ from our potential customers and partners.

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Munich 29. June 2022 – The aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft has reached two milestones in its D328eco project. Together with engineering service provider umlaut, part of Accenture, the wing spar box was digitized and modelled in 3D. The wing spar box connects the wing to the fuselage and supports the leading and trailing edges of the wings, the rudder, the engines and the landing gear. On this basis, the industrialization partner HEGGEMANN AG has optimized the manufacturing processes for Industry 4.0 standards and produced a first prototype of the wing spar box. This proves that the automated production of the D328eco is possible to the extent desired by Deutsche Aircraft.

The D328eco is based on the Dornier 328, an aircraft from the 1990s. The aircraft was still designed in 2D on paper or with limited 3D-based software (CADAM). To be able to further use the design data and adapt it to the goals of the D328eco, it had to be digitized. Deutsche Aircraft chose umlaut for its engineering and aerospace expertise to jointly create a digital twin, which provides an exact copy of the original aircraft design and can also incorporate all the innovations in structural development of the last 30 years. This digital twin serves both as a basis for automated manufacturing and for validating designs, tools, and production processes. According to Simona Naver, Program Manager at Deutsche Aircraft, the data converted from 2D to 3D will also be used for the certification of the new aircraft.

"The DMU makes it much easier for us to optimize designs for industrial production. Thirty years ago, when the original Dornier 328 was built, many things were still done manually. With the D328eco's 3D conversion, we can save material and map production processes more easily and with consistent quality" says Gregory Seymour, development engineer aircraft construction at Deutsche Aircraft.

As part of a "triad", HEGGEMANN AG is also involved in the project. The company is responsible for the industrialization of the wing spar box and uses, among other things, the corresponding 3D design data. To demonstrate that the company can produce aircraft parts automatically and in high quality, the first prototype of the wing spar box was manufactured and tested after a feasibility analysis. "The wing spar box is the most complex part of the airframe. Its fabrication as the first system- level prototype shows that the other parts of the project are on the right track" explains Simona Naver.

After this first system-level prototype, it is clear, on the one hand, that the 3D conversion of the 2D design data and its adaptation to new standards is working as planned. On the other hand, the tools and processes developed by HEGGEMANN AG for the D328eco program have proven their worth. "We have seen that we can have parts for the D328eco manufactured automatically and efficiently. In addition, there is less material surplus with the new manufacturing processes. This also moves us in a sustainable direction and meets the D328eco strategy" says Rosario De Luca, Senior Design Engineer at Deutsche Aircraft.

Now more parts are to be digitized and prepared as CAD/CAM models forproduction, design validation and type certification. The goal is to be able to digitally represent the D328eco in its entirety. umlaut will continue to support the transfer from 2D to 3D and HEGGEMANN AG will strengthen Deutsche Aircraft's D328eco program with wings and landing gear.

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Deutsche Aircraft is setting a course for a more sustainable era in aviation by developing a dedicated flight test laboratory to investigate future propulsion technology and emerging energy sources. In conjunction with research and government institutions such as the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI), the objective is to achieve low-emission flight.

By leveraging the strength of the D328® airframe, this initiative will enable flight test maturation of key technologies and contribute directly to future commercial applications.

Government-backed Initiatives for Sustainable Aviation

Germany’s Federal Government is an active supporter of ventures that aim to minimise carbon emissions and the environmental impact of air travel. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) funds numerous research and technology development projects through its LuFo Klima Civil Aviation Research Programme.

The objective of LuFo Klima is to strengthen innovation and expertise in research, development and production, propelling the aviation industry towards carbon neutrality and climate compatibility with the long-term goal of creating a sustainable, economical and efficient air transport system.

This research programme aims to develop technologies for the climate-neutral aviation system of the future with a focus on integrated research and technological competitiveness.

Many of Deutsche Aircraft’s projects focusing on future flight technologies are co-funded by the BMWK and include significant contributions from project partners.

Objectives of the LuFo Klima Civil Aviation Research Programme

- Support Germany’s State and Federal strategic goals towards achieving climate-neutral aviation.

- Work hand-in-hand with industrial partners, universities and research institutions within the industry to develop systems and technologies that enable a sustainable aviation future.

- Gather experimental data on low and zero emission ground and flight operation.

- Obtain first-hand knowledge of airframe integration challenges to guide current and future aircraft design.

- Develop in-house expertise on emerging technologies to mitigate risks associated with technology selection and integration.

D328ALPHA: Pioneering Next-Generation Propulsion Systems

The objective of the D328ALPHA programme is to explore and develop technologies aimed at reducing emissions. This one-off modification of the D328® airframe will be used to evaluate, refine and flight-test promising innovations in sustainable aviation.

By developing a modular flight test aircraft with an initial focus on 1.5MW class electric propulsion systems, powered by an onboard liquid hydrogen fuel cell system, this will mature relevant technologies to Technical Readiness Level 6.  

In September 2023, the D328ALPHA technology demonstrator was presented at the E2FLIGHT Emission Free and Electric Flight Conference organised by the DLR and the University of Stuttgart, highlighting its significance in the pursuit of sustainable solutions.

An extensive wind tunnel test campaign was completed in October 2023, providing valuable insights into the aerodynamic integration of the next-generation propulsion system. Tests conducted over a 9-week period evaluated parameters such as propulsive power, stability, control and performance across different flight scenarios. The results will allow Deutsche Aircraft to refine their engineering flight simulator.

D328® UpLift: Trailblazing Disruptive Technology for Climate-Friendly Aviation

The UpLift project demonstrates industry-wide cooperation toward carbon-neutral aviation, with the D328® serving as a catalyst for research into alternative propulsion systems.

In collaboration with the DLR and the BDLI, Deutsche Aircraft will leverage its expertise as an aircraft manufacturer to convert the D328® into a testbed for the research of cutting-edge propulsion, fuel and system technologies under real flight conditions. Funded by a grant from the BMWK, the UpLift project is poised to accelerate innovation and drive forward advancements in sustainable aviation.

As part of experimental campaigns to measure CO2 emissions, the UpLift test laboratory will be equipped with state-of-the-art avionics systems and temporarily modified engines that are capable of running on sustainable fuels, bridging the gap between research and practical application. This is a unique opportunity to test disruptive approaches in the development of new propulsion systems including hybrid-electric concepts and novel fuels, and these far-reaching, universally usable basic modifications will accelerate research and development towards near carbon neutral  flight.

The versatility and efficiency of the D328® is a perfect match for the UpLift initiative. Certified under EASA’s CS-25 (Large Aeroplanes) specifications, the turboprop entered into service in 1991 and is an ideal platform for evaluating innovative propulsion technologies due to its superior performance, robustness and design characteristics. This aircraft is still an integral part of many regional fleets around the world, which will also provide valuable reference values for the evaluation of new technologies.

"The UpLift flying test laboratory is a key industrial policy project for climate-friendly flying and Germany's sustainable development,” says Dr. Anna Christmann, Coordinator for Aerospace Policy of the German Federal Government. “It is crucial that the laboratory is made available to all our industrial partners. This is an important strategic step towards testing measures for climate-neutral flying under real conditions."

The contract was signed at the 2023 Paris Air Show and the new livery was unveiled at the National Aviation Conference in Hamburg in September 2023. In June 2024, the UpLift project will make its debut at ILA Berlin, the leading aerospace trade fair in Germany and Europe.

“The path towards climate-neutral flights is a joint effort between the whole aviation ecosystem,” remarks Dr. Jasmin Eberharter, Head of Research and Technology programs at Deutsche Aircraft. “With UpLift, experts have a significant opportunity to join forces across science and industry, further contributing and accelerating sustainable aviation.”

CAvIA LuFo Project

On 1 January 2024, the "CAvIA" federal aviation research programme was launched, supported by federal funding of around 1.42 million Euros. As the joint leader of this project, Deutsche Aircraft is investigating flight operations with just one pilot, as well as energy-optimised trajectories. The aim of the project is to make aviation more environmentally friendly through the use of intelligent avionics.

While the recent launch of the CAvIA project marks another pivotal step forward, the rigorous testing for the D328ALPHA continues and the conversion of the UpLift flight lab is well on its way. These remarkable advancements represent significant milestones in our pursuit of climate-neutral flights and the maturation of aviation technology for tomorrow.

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We at Deutsche Aircraft are always looking to bring our message of sustainable and innovative aviation to our greater audience. The ILA Berlin Air Show is where major aerospace industry officials and an estimated 150,000 visitors come together to spark a dialogue around the latest aviation technology.

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Today, we had the immense honour of welcoming Olaf Scholz to our pavilion. We discussed how Deutsche Aircraft is working towards climate-neutral aviation solutions through the development of our D328ecoTM.  VP of Operations and Programmes Nico Neumann, CCO Nico Buchholz, VP Human Resources Christoph Rümmele alongside our Managing Director Dave Jackson met with Olaf Scholz. ILA Berlin 2022 is truly a global event, and Deutsche Aircraft is excited to be working alongside international leaders and key industry players to bring sustainable aviation to the runway—now.  The journey to accessible, economical, and sustainable aviation starts here!

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- Deutsche Aircraft and Sasol ecoFT sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Power-to-Liquid as a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (PtL-SAF / H2-SAF(PTL))

- Both partners recognize the urgency of climate mitigation

- Existing Fischer-Tropsch fuels will be used to expedite technology development and production ramp-up, with the ultimate goal to enable a carbon-neutral fuel for the D328eco

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Munich/Johannesburg, 22 June 2022 - German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft and South African chemicals and energy company Sasol have signed a MoU on advancing technology for green hydrogen-based PtL-SAF in aviation. Sasol ecoFT and Deutsche Aircraft have both recognized the urgency in transitioning towards climate neutral aviation. The two companies thus plan to foster the certification of sustainable drop-in and non-drop-in jet fuels, more particularly the ramp-up of PtL SAF for aviation.

With its D328eco program, Deutsche Aircraft is working on an aircraft in the under 40-seat market, that will achieve near carbon neutrality. The aircraft that is scheduled to be certified in 2026 will be able to use 100% H2-SAF (PtL) on top of any other certified sustainable aviation fuel and regular kerosene.

Sasol ecoFT is an ideal partner for that task as the South African company is the world leader in FT (Fischer-Tropsch) technology. Sasol ecoFT leverages Sasol’s extensive FT experience, proprietary technology, and catalysts to produce sustainable fuels and chemicals via Power-to-X processes. ‍

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From a fossil heritage to a sustainable future

"Sasol ecoFT and Deutsche Aircraft stand at the beginning of a decarbonization journey. We both have products originally designed in the age of fossil fuels. Together we can develop rapid solutions to combat climate change by improving our products while building on our heritage and expertise." comments Regina Pouzolz, Head of Sustainability of Deutsche Aircraft.

PtL-SAF is a scalable, and thus long-term solution to minimize the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) footprint of aviation. The process uses for example CO 2 recycled from regular air, and hydrogen, produced with green energy, to form a synthetic fuel. Fuels manufactured like this still have the similar characteristics as regular kerosene: high energy density at low volume, proven safety, and distribution by established infrastructure. Furthermore, these fuels contain less aromatics and sulphur, thus improve local air quality and reduce the high-altitude impact of aviation.

Deutsche Aircraft and Sasol will not only work on technology and production aspects of H2-SAF (PtL), but also aim at a certification for this type of fuel to be used as drop-in or non-drop-in jet fuel.

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From Coal-to-Liquid to PtL-SAF‍

PtL-SAF is chemically similar to Coal-to-Liquid (CtL), in which Sasol has deep global experience at deploying at industrial scale. As a first step of their partnership Sasol ecoFT and Deutsche Aircraft will explore the compatibility of materials and system components with blended synthetic fuels produced through Sasol’s FT technology currently applied in its existing CtL process. The priority of this aspect of the project is to expedite the certification of more sustainable PtL-SAF options.

"We are extremely excited about the partnership with Deutsche Aircraft as we take a holistic approach to climate-neutral aviation by looking at the whole value chain from fuel production up to aircraft system level. Joining forces between aircraft manufacturers and fuel producers is vital, if we want to ensure that aviation becomes sustainable, while ensuring the highest possible safety standards." concluded Helge Sachs, Senior Vice President, of Sasol ecoFT.

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MUNICH/LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC, 17. June 2022 - Deutsche Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of Pratt & Whitney, announced today that the PW127XT-S engine has been selected to power the D328eco regional turboprop. The engine will be another model in the XT series which sets a new benchmark in regional aviation, delivering a significant improvement in operating costs and sustainability. The PW127XT-S will be developed according to the D328eco timeline.

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“We have worked closely with the D328eco team over a number of years to develop the best engine option for the aircraft,” says Maria Della Posta, president of Pratt & Whitney Canada. “The PW127XT-S provides airlines 40 percent more time on wing, a 20 percent reduction in maintenance costs with only two scheduled events over 10 years, and a 3 percent 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.”

“In addition to the engine selection announced today, Deutsche Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney Canada will collaborate on novel propulsion technologies for next generation, climate friendly, highly efficient regional aircraft,” says Dave Jackson, managing director, Deutsche Aircraft. “Turboprop technology remains the most efficient and eco-friendly form of regional air transport available in the world. Our two companies recently agreed to cooperate on enabling the PW127XT-S engine powering the D328eco to run on a 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) including hydrogen-based Power-to-Liquid (PtL) fuel.”

In fact, modern regional turboprops consume 40 percent less fuel and emit 40 percent less CO2 emissions than most in-service regional jets on flights up to 400 nautical miles. Both companies are convinced of the need to further invest in this segment to continue to improve efficiency and reduce the impact on the environment. Pratt & Whitney Canada and Deutsche Aircraft agreed to continue working together to jointly develop a technology roadmap for implementation, test, and verification of Pratt & Whitney Canada’s innovative propulsion technology, within the D328eco program.

Specifically, the roadmap will focus on the capability to operate the two most promising net zero / zero CO2 fuels: PtL and hydrogen, respectively. The parties will assess the impact of these fuels and related technologies and operations to derive the requirements and solutions for the application.

Added Jackson: “We seek not only to achieve the maximum CO2 emissions reduction possible, but also look for real operative propulsion efficiency improvements compared to today’s technology. This would mean a reduction in the order of 15 to 25 percent block energy on a typical regional mission.”

Concluded Della Posta: “It is key that the major airframe and engine OEMs set out ambitious yet realistic timelines and capabilities to use novel propulsion technologies in combination with de-carbonized fuel capabilities. Pratt & Whitney Canada is committed to continuous improvements in the efficiency and sustainability of its products and services, for customers in all market segments.”

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Steady Progress!

It is with great pleasure that I write to you again today.

In our last newsletter, we discussed the progression of new offices and building space in Oberpfaffenhofen as well as several other relevant topics. Today, the focus would be to update you on our product and program development, as well as latest organization build up.

First of all, we held our first Customer Advisory Boards (CAB) at the end of last year. More than 10 participating companies attended from all continents providing valuable feedback which we are integrating into the aircraft design, to further enhance the attractive proposition of the D328ecoTM. The feedback covered design and operational topics. Lively discussions and presentations of all topics important to a customer closed some of the interviews we had.

With these further elements in hand together with the work of the engineering, program and supply chain teams we were also able to conclude our PDR – Product Design Review - last month, with a significantly enhanced product which we will further report in this newsletter.

The concept phase and the customer feedback from our recent CAB took us a step further in regard to the D328eco development as we managed to enhance our product not only through the feedback of potential customers but also via advanced discussion with some of our key suppliers.

Further aerodynamic studies and wind tunnel testing work on the D328eco program have successfully been carried out. This marks the first achievement of a long series of in-situ tests where results and progress will be regularly highlighted over the coming months by the team.

Another milestone recently achieved as regards the production process, was the creation of a digital twin and physical demonstrator of the wing spar box together with umlaut, and manufacturing partner HEGGEMANN. As an outcome, a production of the wing spar box has been proven to be possible in an efficient highly automated and sustainable way.

As a result of all the hard work, our teams have successfully achieved the current program milestones, and further adjustments, as a result of the design review and inputs received from customers and suppliers, we are now targeting the D328eco certification towards in the second half of 2026.

In line with this progress and the continued ramp up of our teams, we have recently opened the hiring process for the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Leipzig, where ground breaking is planned for the end of 2022/beginning of 2023.

Last but not least, I am also pleased to announce important enhancement in our senior leadership team, with the recent addition of Nico Buchholz as acting Chief Commercial Officer.

Combining all of the above you can understand why we can be proud and thrilled about the progress we have made, and are looking forward to an exciting future. Currently we are preparing ourselves for the upcoming conferences and airshows in ILA Berlin (22 – 26 June) and Farnborough Air Show (18 – 22 July) where Deutsche Aircraft will be present.

Enjoy the read,

Dave Jackson.

Organization Strengthening

In order to enhance our global commercial footprint we are pleased to announce Nico Buchholz as part of the leadership team as acting Chief Commercial Officer. Nico has already been providing consulting support to Deutsche Aircraft and is also familiar with many of the topics and challenges we are currently working on. His key responsibilities at Deutsche Aircraft will be the management of the aircraft sales process – including contracts and marketing support, as well as external communications.

Nico’s extensive industry experience includes work with Airbus, Bombardier, Delta, GOAL, Lufthansa and others where he held senior positions in Marketing and Sales, Customer business, procurement, strategy and fleet management as well as board positions. Nico also runs his own business and is a coach for several start-ups in the aviation field.

Following the recent completion of the Preliminary Design Review phase. We are now moving towards CDR and our industrialization activities. This is aimed at embracing new technology opportunities and blending these into the D328eco. As a consequence of these developments, Martin Nüßeler is leaving the company to explore new opportunities. We appreciate his contribution towards the program and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

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Finally, due to personal reasons, Jose Costas, Vice President Sales & Marketing, has decided to relocate back to Lisbon where he will continue to provide ongoing sales support in a consulting capacity. We would like to thank him for the contribution during his time at Deutsche Aircraft, in Oberpfaffenhofen.

Engineering / program updates

The D328eco program just completed the Concept Phase and is now entering the Detailed Design Phase. Focus on the derivate development in the first key phase of the program was on justification of the aircraft configuration with the stretched fuselage by analysis and wind tunnel campaigns. Major progress was made towards the full digitalisation of the airframe. A crucial step to ensure a successful industrial set up of the aircraft, which includes but is not limited to 2D/3D activities, definition dossier and new systems architectures development.

On the supply chain side, we have seen a raising interest from the industry and received positive and constructive feedback from key partners supporting the program on the airframe, propulsion and system level. Being able to rely upon key partners which have shown high level of commitment to the Program, despite the current global geopolitical situation crisis the world is facing.

Further aerodynamic studies and wind tunnel testing work on the D328eco program have successfully been carried out.

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Last but not least, the new FAL concept for the building located in Leipzig Airport was completed and phase 2 of the building specification successfully achieved.

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Girls‘ Future Day with Deutsche Aircraft GmbH – it was lovely having you here!

Yesterday 7 young women visited Deutsche Aircraft to get an insight into aviation and into the profession of “aircraft mechanic”.

After a tour of Deutsche Aircrafts’ hangar the girls crafted an airplane in the training workshop of Aero-Bildung.

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We hope you enjoyed the day – we absolutely did!

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Meet Mathias Roeser, our Aerodynamics and Handling Qualities Engineer here at Deutsche Aircraft. If, like Mathias, you are also driven by a passion for aviation and wish to join our team, make sure to visit our career page and follow us on Linkedin to find our open positions.

At Deutsche Aircraft, we believe that SAF and hydrogen are the way forward, with SAF being the drop-in immediate effective solution. With that in mind, we want to share our latest whitepaper, in which we reflect our position on the current state of green aviation and its true impact.

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Meet Murat Imay, a Senior Expert Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer here at Deutsche Aircraft. If you also want to join our team, make sure to visit our career page and follow us on Linkedin to find our open positions.

I am pleased to once again present you with some exciting updates about Deutsche Aircraft’s work and progress for the past few months.

Last December, we celebrated Deutsche Aircraft’s 1st year anniversary and the 30 years of D328 first flight online, and also attended and presented at the Hamburg Aviation Forum.

We are also happy to announce that we completed our first Customer Advisory Board, with a number of key airlines from around the world, and successfully gathered valuable feedback for the D328eco development.

Sustainability is always at the heart of the entire Deutsche Aircraft operation. We not only focus on developing an environmentally friendly aircraft, but we also dedicate the entire organization towards comprehensive sustainability goals. We are pleased to announce that Deutsche Aircraft obtained 3 EN ISO certificates, and also established a Sustainability Board, to facilitate implementation across all departments.

We continue to work with important partners in development, most recently we  highlighted our collaboration with the North Energy Cluster in Norway, aiming to develop solutions that will accelerate the availability of climate-neutral aviation technologies.

Last but not least, we are still growing! We welcome Patricia, Tim, Thomas and many other great talent to join Deutsche Aircraft. To accommodate this growth, we will be expanding into additional offices and facilities at Oberpfaffenhofen.

Enjoy the read!

Dave Jackson, Managing Director of Deutsche Aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft Achievements and Progresses

On 7th December 2021, we celebrate the one-year anniversary of Deutsche Aircraft. Coincidently it was also the 30th anniversary of the first flight of our legacy – D328-100 Turboprop aircraft. On the same day, we were invited to be panellist in the Hamburg Aviation Forum where our CTO Martin Nussler was part of the panel.

We are also proud to announce that we obtained three certifications according to international standards: EN 9100:2018 (former AS 9100D), including the requirements of EN ISO 9001:2015, and EN ISO 14001:2015. They demonstrate Deutsche Aircraft’s commitments to continuously improving its quality performance while reducing the environmental footprint of its operations and services, as well as taking concrete action to combat climate change.

D328® In Service Fleet Updates

Our hangar was busy for the past quarter. Among our work, we are pleased to highlight some of the achievements of our team:

• We had Botswana Defense Force aircraft Do328-100 in for heavy maintenance (Phase 5), ADS-B upgrade and Installation of a modification for operation on unpaved Runways. Aircraft was released early December.
• We performed heavy maintenance on Do328-100 from AeroRescue, which included a complete Repainting & EASA Registration and delivered it to an special mission operator in mid January.
• We delivered to Private Wings’ repainted Do328-100 aircraft D-CAWA in cooperation with GA-ATS Oberpfaffenhofen.

D328ecoTM

The development of our D328eco platform keeps on progressing. We have announced several key suppliers, important strategic partnerships and we also completed the first Customer Advisory Board.

The key suppliers we have announced in the past few months are SupplyOn for Deutsche Aircraft’s digital supply chain management, Factory Design for the interior design, and DMD Solutions for support in certification.

We also teamed up with the North Energy Cluster (NEC/Energi I Nord) to achieve substantial short-term reductions of Northern Norway’s aviation climate footprint through low-carbon e-fuels. And in the mid-term, we aim to develop solutions to achieve zero climate impact.

Our Customer Advisory Board (CAB) was the first-ever online CAB. Due to current travel limitations and safety measures, we set up a virtual, interactive platform for our CAB members to engage meaningfully, including a pre-conference interactions, live sessions discussions with our senior management and Engineering teams, interactive 3D D328eco models. We collected valuable inputs from aircraft operators and leasing companies covering all 5 continents, to which will be taken into consideration as the program advances towards conclusion of PDR – Preliminary Design Review - phase.

Meet our Team

We are delighted to introduce you to more new talent in our team. This quarter, please meet Thomas Ahn, Chief Engineer, Patricia Ferrari, Head of Procurement and Tim Otte, Head of Flight Test.

Thomas Ahn

Thomas joined Deutsche Aircraft in January as the Chief Engineer for the D328eco program. He has had an extensive career in the aerospace industry with renowned companies such as Bombardier, Airbus deHavilland, Dornier and Grob Aircraft, where he held lead engineering positions in aircraft product development. The last 20 years have been mostly in Canada as the Chief Aircraft Integrator for Bombardier Aviation. In this role he was responsible for the aircraft configuration development of regional aircraft, commercial jets and business jets. Interesting to note though, his career started out 34 years ago in the Future Projects team of Dornier, defining the original concept of the Dornier 328!

Thomas holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Augsburg University of Applied Sciences and had worked for several years as an aircraft mechanic prior to pursuing his engineering interests.

Tim Otte

Tim brings more than 30 years of experience in various aerospace companies and in different leading positions, ranging from civil programs like the Dornier 328 and 728 to a number of military programs such as Eurofighter, Tornado and A400M. In all positions the technical domains covered were flight physics, simulation, ground & flight test and/or aircraft systems. Tim studied Aerospace Engineering and started his career at Dornier.

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Patricia Ferrari

Patricia joined Deutsche Aircraft as the Head of Procurement. She was the vice president of supply chain of the Embraer Company. Appointed to the position in March 2018, she led the complete supply chain management organization to support Embraer business units. She coordinated operational activities resulting in cost-cutting measures, improved supplier performance and guaranteeing compliance.

Patricia holds a bachelor’s degree in Production Engineer Materials from the University of São Carlos as well as a master’s in Production Engineer.

With our rapid ramp up of employees to support our growth we are already using 9 buildings in Oberpfaffenhofen. To streamline our internal efficiency we along with our growth have secured an additional 3200m2 of office space in a brand new building that will be completed in Q4 this year. With the expansion of our facilities footprint, we aim to provide our growing team great working environments.

We are still hiring! Visit our career page and follow us on Linkedin to find our open positions.

Deutsche Aircraft Aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals

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As part of its strategic focus on Sustainability, Deutsche Aircraft makes the globally recognized Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations its guiding principle for all business operations. To that end, a cross-departmental Sustainability Board was founded in December 2021. The board co-creates the company‘s Sustainability Strategy and steers its implementation across the company. Representatives from all departments meet bi-monthly and exchange on current developments in politics and society, collect and prioritize proposals of employees and coordinate corporate actions and communication. With the help of the Sustainability Board, Deutsche Aircraft does not only focus on developing and producing a sustainable aircraft, but also has a comprehensive approach to meet the selected UN Sustainable Development Goals with contributions from the entire organization.

Deutsche Aircraft in the News

This quarter, Deutsche Aircraft continued to increase its media coverage in key business and aviation media outlets. Here are some highlights of coverages of our past announcements. Enjoy the read!

Deutsche Aircraft collaborates with FactoryDesign to design the next-generation sustainable cabin interior with exceptional comfort for their D328ecoTM regional aircraft (Feb, 2022)

•   Deutsche Aircraft signs deal for D328eco aircraft interiors, Aerospace Manufacturing

•    Deutsche and Factorydesign collaborate on sustainable interiors, Aircraft Interiors International

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‍Pioneering German-Norwegian cooperation will make regional Norwegian aviation a world leader in the transition to climate-neutrality (March 2022)

•   Deutsche Aircraft’s 328eco Gets Boost from Norway, AIN

•   Deutsche Aircraft kooperiert mit norwegischer NEC, Flug Revue

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Deutsche Aircraft receives three certifications to confirm quality and environmental standards (March 2022)

•   Deutsche Aircraft Receives Three Certifications to Confirm Quality and Environmental Standards

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• An important step towards climate-neutral passenger aircraft.

• Promising hydrogen fuel cell system in the megawatt range is being developed and will be demonstrated in flight by 2025.

• Ten partners from science and industry are thus jointly promoting flying with hydrogen.

• A Dornier 328 is to become a demonstration aircraft for climate-neutral flights in the EASA large aircraft class ("CS25").

• Participating DLR spin-off H2FLY strengthens DLR's strategic position in the field of technology transfer.

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The climate-neutral aviation of tomorrow needs CO2-free propulsion technologies. For regional aircraft, hydrogen-electric propulsion systems with hydrogen fuel cell technology offer a promising option. This technology is now receiving a strong boost from the "328H2-FC" project. Led by the German Aerospace Center ((Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) in cooperation with H2FLY, Deutsche Aircraft, Diehl Aviation and six other partners, the project is the first to develop a fuel cell system with with a power output of one and a half megawatts for use in flight. The project opens up a technological perspective for future regional aircrafts in the 40-seater class. At the beginning of 2022, The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz; BMWK) handed over the funding notification. The BMWK is funding the realisation of the first megawatt hydrogen fuel cell system for air transport with approximately 30 million Euros.

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Within the framework of the partnership, a Dornier 328 aircraft will be converted to be used for hydrogen-electric passenger flights for the first time. This involves the electrification of the powertrain and the integration of a fuel cell system, including a cooling system and a liquid hydrogen tank.. The "328H2-FC" project paves the way for proving the potential of hydrogen for climate-neutral air travel. The unique hybrid-electric powered demonstration aircraft for EASA's large aircraft class ("CS25") is scheduled to take off for the first time in 2025. Before that, tests of the fuel cell system are planned using a new ground-based test facility at DLR.

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Prof. Dr. Josef Kallo, co-founder and CEO of H2FLY: "With this funding, H2FLY will extend its lead as a global technology leader in the field of hydrogen-electric propulsion. Flying with hydrogen without CO2 emissions will become a reality."

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Dr Anna Christmann Member of the Bundestag (Federal Parliament) and Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Policy: "H2FLY is an important building block for the future strategy of emission-free aviation. With the project funded by the BMWK, we have the unique opportunity to further expand the technological lead in flying with hydrogen here in Germany. With our funding, we are enabling research to overcome the technical challenges of using hydrogen in aviation."

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Prof. André Thess, Director of the DLR Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics:: "With a fuel cell that generates more than one megawatt of power, we are pushing open the door to climate-neutral passenger aviation without CO2 emissions. At DLR's Stuttgart site, we will test the new technology extensively before moving on to aircraft integration and initial flight tests. By the end of the decade, such passenger aircrafts could already be in commercial operation."

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Martin Nüßeler, CTO of Deutsche Aircraft: "Our Dornier 328 is the optimal platform for demonstrating the new fuel cell technology. We can thus bring technology into real environmental conditions and accelerate our path towards climate-neutral aviation."

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Benno Petersen, Head of Innovation and R&T at Diehl Aerospace: "Our company is participating in the 328H2-FC project with extensive research packages. In this way, we are impressively documenting our interest in this forward-looking propulsion technology and underlining the important role that the equipment industry plays in the development of such innovative systems."

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In cruise flight, the use of the hydrogen fuel cell energy system enables the aircraft to operate without emitting carbon dioxide, which means that a large part of the flight distance can be covered in a completely climate-neutral manner. For the energy-intensive take-off, a gas turbine will initially provide additional thrust as part of the testing in the hybrid-electric concept.

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The project as a whole thrives on the cooperation in a strong partner network of DLR, H2FLY, Deutsche Aircraft and Diehl Aviation (incl. Diehl Aerospace). Other project‘s partners are AKG Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Bauhaus Luftfahrt e.V., GE Aviation, HS Elektronik GmbH, Industrieanlagen-Betriebsgesellschaft mbH and Premium Aerotec GmbH.

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BMWK funding for the 328H2-FC project is provided within the framework of the aeronautics research programme (LuFo VI-2). The joint project leader is DLR. The project builds on the predecessor projects 328eHY-LAB and 328eHY-TECH (LuFo VI-1) led by Deutsche Aircraft.

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MUNICH, March 31st 2022 – Deutsche Aircraft GmbH today announces its partnership with Liebherr-Aerospace, to develop and supply the flap and spoiler actuation system for the D328eco^TM aircraft, a game-changing platform that paves the way towards a zero-emission flight objective.

Liebherr, renowned for the highest quality, will contribute to the development of the D328eco with highly-engineered "made in Germany" parts that follow sustainable manufacturing practices, aligned with both companies' future environmental goals. The parts   will be manufactured by Liebherr-Aerospace, based in Lindenberg, Germany, where they already benefit from decades of experience as a German manufacturing centre of excellence, supplying state-of-the-art technology to the aviation industry.

The D328eco new flap control unit meets the highest industry standards and constitutes an evolution of today’s control electronics and fly-by-wire flight controls developed by Liebherr-Aerospace, that are already certified and operating successfully.

The modularity of the components ensures the shortest time to market with the highest maturity. Latest design methods and component generations are used to achieve maturity as well as long-term product reliability. In line with Deutsche Aircraft’s sustainability objectives, REACh compliant manufacturing processes have been adopted as part of the current project and Liebherr-Aerospace will be supporting Deutsche Aircraft with the production of REACh compliant flight control actuation for the D328eco.

Liebherr will develop and deliver the flap control unit including application and control software. The unit is composed of a command / monitor architecture and is designed according to the DAL A with a DAL C Command Lane and the DAL A Monitor Lane.

Deutsche Aircraft’s Director of Supply Chain, Maximilian Fahr, commented on this partnership: “The strategic partnership with Liebherr is another step towards building a resilient and sustainable supply chain based on the fundamentals of quality, time to market and regional proximity. We have been seeing stronger levels of resilience in the supply chain with players that have higher quality products and more sustainable and automated manufacturing processes. Liebherr-Aerospace is at the forefront of what the industry can do best and we will build on these assets.”

 “We are very happy to count Deutsche Aircraft among our customers. Based on our experience and know-how gained during the last six decades – including our program participation in the Do328 – we are looking forward to provide state-of-the-art technology made in Germany for the D328eco”, explains Thomas Hummel, Director Sales & Marketing at Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH.

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München 29. March 2022 – The Icelandic airline Eagle Air and the German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft have announced a renewal of their support contract for maintenance repair and operations. Deutsche Aircraft will continue to provide maintenance for the Do 328-110 of Eagle Air. The companies have already had a similar agreement running since February 2020. The contract renewal will span another two years.

The Scandinavian multi role airline has been using a Do 328 turboprop since the summer of 2018. It is mainly used for passenger transport within the island. The manufacturer will conduct the maintenance procedures at the Deutsche Aircraft facilities at Oberpfaffenhofen airport near Munich.

“As we operate our Do 328 on a variety of missions within Iceland, we need a reliable maintenance service provider to guarantee operational readiness of the flagship of our fleet. Over the last two years Deutsche Aircraft has proven to be that partner. We are happy to extend the maintenance contract for a further two years,” says Björn S Eggertsson, Technical Manger Eagle Air.

Dave Jackson, Managing Director of Deutsche Aircraft adds: “We have supported Eagle Air with the maintenance since their 50-year-anniversary as an airline in 2020. We are proud to keep working with a reliable and professional business partner. “

MUNICH, 16th March 2022 – Deutsche Aircraft GmbH announces that it has obtained three certifications according to international standards. These confirm the commitment of Deutsche Aircraft of adhering to the highest international quality and environmental standards to ensure constant and sustainable growth.

Recent audit results in accordance with EN 9100:2018 (former AS 9100D), including the requirements of EN ISO 9001:2015, enhances Deutsche Aircraft highest’s quality management standards and brings valuable benefits to the company.

Receiving the EN ISO 14001:2015 environmental standards certification for the first time confirms Deutsche Aircraft’s establishment and application to an Environmental Management System which covers design, production, maintenance and completion of the Dornier 328 Series Aircraft, including worldwide customer support and supply chain as well as management for operators. 

The EN ISO certificates are world’s highest and most recognized standard of quality and environmental management. They demonstrate Deutsche Aircraft’s commitments to continuously improving its quality performance while reducing the environmental footprint of its operations and services, as well as taking concrete action to combat climate change. 

Confirming company-wide state of the art management systems 

Along with its compliance to the current regulations for health protection and occupational safety, Deutsche Aircraft is committing towards stronger environmental goals and objectives. Deutsche Aircraft also takes one step ahead by placing a more rigorous attention upon its suppliers and partners’ selection and is aiming to develop more sustainability-driven processes with higher efficiency and cost savings. 

Dave Jackson, Managing Director of Deutsche Aircraft, said: “We are very proud to have been awarded with these three certifications. It is a reward for the team, confirming the outstanding work we have put into our internal processes to meet global standards and better support the ongoing development of the D328eco™. Our mission is to use the D328eco to drive aviation's transition to more sustainable flights. This goes hand in hand with consequent health protection and occupational safety.”

Deutsche Aircraft fully commits to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

As a purpose-driven OEM, Deutsche Aircraft is committed to operating as a responsible business by aligning its strategy with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Those are part of a global effort to change the corporate strategy and to support customers' efforts into more environmentally focused strategies to help companies reduce their environmental impact. This includes all aspects of quality management and customer satisfaction, as well as detailed and rigorously enforced health, safety and environmental protocols throughout the organisation.

To meet these requirements and improve performance, Deutsche Aircraft regularly provides comprehensive internal training opportunities for all employees to ensure that all departments comply with the latest health, safety and environmental standards. More than a year ago, Deutsche Aircraft also established a dedicated "Sustainability Team" to support the efforts of aligning with these processes both internally and externally.

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On this International Women's Day, we take time to recognize and celebrate the contribution of women around the world with a special thank you to those in our industry.

Statistically speaking, Aviation still is a male-dominated industry, despite that, Deutsche Aircraft is privileged to have extremely successful female leaders. So we've invited Regina Pouzolz, Head of Sustainability, Claudia Juricic, Head of Material & Processes and Patrícia Ferrari, Head of Procurement to answer some questions and share their experiences and suggestions to young female leaders.

We’ve prepared a few highlights of our conversation, and if you want to hear it in full, make sure to listen to our Podcast.

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As a female engineer, have you encountered any challenges during your work and studies?

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Regina:

I think that engineers, technicians, physicians, they're all so passionate about technology, but at least that's how I feel it that it's not so much a matter of if people are a man or a woman, or I don't know, whatever its passion for technology that drives the people. And that's in the focus. And so you always have a discussion that is really around technical topics. But I think there are few role models, that is a problem for me. So that's why I also like participating in this because I never had any women in front of me that I had in mind. In my family, there was no engineer. And even my mother would ask me why I would do such a harsh topic. So I think it's a good idea to have role models.

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And what about Patricia, do you do you have role models? Or when you choose to choose to join engineering or join this field?

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Patricia:

No, I hadn't as well. I had when I decided to join the STEM. Though, at that time, no role models. I believe that during my career, I started to look to some other colleagues and see them as role models when I was still in new in the carrer and I always look for good examples male or female, and I believe that ours helped it because being a woman, I'd have not faced anything during university I believe it's equal for for everybody. When I started working, also, I think was the same but once I started to grow in my career and going for a more leadership position. I can tell you that sometimes I felt that a little bit because our industry is still male dominant. And sometimes being the only woman in leadership meetings. It's sometimes it's more about us, you know, you feel sometimes that everybody's judging you. I think we ask too much from ourselves from us then from the outside. So I think that we face a little bit that we are too demanding to ourselves, to change ourselves, we wanted to be very competent, and we need to we want to show that we don't want anybody to think anything else about us. So I think we are I felt that a little bit until I will have my, my space. No, really, my grounds done.

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Claudia:

I totally agree, Patricia, totally agree. I mean, to be honest, I really don't remember that I have faced problems or challenges because I'm a woman, I mean, never. But on the other hand, I had a lot of situations where I also was alone in these meetings only guys, or even older, let's say maybe older men from the, let's say, old grown up, period. And then you need a little bit to adjust your behaviour. And, but this at the end it was also fine. So I also in the school or university, there was never, let's say, challenge for me only because I'm a woman.

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So, Claudia, you mentioned that you might have to change the behaviour a bit to adopt? Can you give an example like what kind of change?

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Claudia:

I’ll give you an example. So when I come into the meeting room, then I take my laptop and, but use a lot of space and so on to show how important I am. And this is this? Yeah. Because usually, we women, we are, very sometimes talk very silently and sit in here. And this is what you have to show to the guy say, yeah, there was one this that was really funny, there was one moment, there was also another lady walks in a meeting. And we both were sitting already prepared for the meeting. And then the guys were still standing around and chatting here and chatting that and then there was one guy, he wanted to let the other guys know that he is, you know, had a good relationship with the big boss and so on. And then, after a while, we got we took a look on the time and also and then this lady, she smashed her hand on the table and said, Are we ready now to start the meeting? Yeah. And so this, of course, I think you also you have a lot of stories in there. This is what I mean was you have to adapt your behaviour. Also that you also understand the guys that this is needed for them. Yeah, they must, you know, it's this levelling, and how about positions and influence and, and strains and so on, they have to, I think they need to exchange this much more than we, I would say.

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Now that you are the role models, do you have some tips for young female leaders?

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Regina

I would like to encourage young women not only to learn how to survive in the male world but also to stick with female values, which are a complement to the male surrounding but of course, we have to be realistic. And if you want to survive, you need to kind of navigate through the existing rules.

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Patricia:

Yeah, I think we I also would encourage the young ladies to really be themselves. I think we can find our ways and keeping the value of being female in a male universe and really get our voice out there. I believe in that. I think that we really can have our space there. And also my advice is that I feel I have been a leader of groups, big groups of different candidates. And I always feel that the men are much more demanding in terms of asking for what they want in terms of career, you know, they ask that want to grow, they ask about the salaries, they complain. And my experience as a leader of girls, they never do that. And I have never done myself doing my career, you know? And that's the reason I believe that when you look for all these statistics, women in leadership, want less than men because we claim less for what we believe it's fair for us. So this is one advice that I will also give to the young lady, don't be shy to ask why do you believe your worth for.

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Lin:

So if I could come to a quick sum up to your suggestion to young woman leaders is that don't be afraid to ask, don't be afraid to claim that you deserve to be more courageous to negotiate for your career. And try to take advantage of the part that will not take advantage sounds like a loaded phrase, but actually tried to establish a woman's way of working and to get the others to acknowledge that woman's way of working is a very complimentary way of working, it's not the dominant, dominating way, but it's another way and it's a great way. And also tried to be assertive in terms of voice and in terms of physical space, when entering a meeting, that's, that's my suggestion from Claudia

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Patricia:

We don't need to dress like a man, we don't need to start wearing makeup. You don't need to become like a man to really to have our space. You still can be very female. And in sometimes it's I have had circumstances where I was very well dressed because we're so important event and you feel that somebody was looking, you need to deal with that as well. But you will. Once you have consistence and you have always a good thing to deliver, you will be respected.

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Is there a trait of your leadership style that you are proud of and would like to share, regardless of gender?

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Regina:

I really try to be integrated in my team. And I firmly believe in the best outcome, is if everybody has had the possibility to contribute and to say something. So if the team decides it will always be the best result. And sometimes that takes more time. And sometimes you don't have the time. So as a leader, you have to stop it and then make a decision that that happens. But in general, I really tried to make everybody participate.

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Claudia:

I mean, I feel so as a leader, as a head of, the most important thing is I think I really managed to do this so, that I'm an enabler for the team you know, not only the boss you know and you know the most important person and so now I'm an enabler I have to I support I have to support the team and that way that they have the freedom to do the job the tasks and the deliveries we really have to perform. And also what I try to let my team know is that is of course I'm I have the lead but that doesn't mean that I know everything the best so I said when they when I always liked this discussion and when they think that they know better than they just let me know and then we have a discussion I can learn we can we know this a mutual learning that's also the reason why I like to have young people in the team now. So coming as a fresh idea in Yeah, this is it's for me extremely important that everybody can say or bring in ideas. And this is something really, I think in the aerospace industry very very important that we have this that we want to help each other and not to hide your knowledge or something so that you have fun and joy to really to share your knowledge and experience. And in the end it's about trust I don't control my team at that sense. Now I don't take a local, when did he came this morning and when did he leave or something like that or whatever

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Patricia:

Claudia said the word that I would say that is “trust”. So I will believe that this is really important from both sides or I need to trust the team. And they need to trust me and know that I will be there to support them on every occasion. And another important characteristic of my leadership style is simplicity. I always try to make the lives of my team easier. So let's simplify let's you know not to ask for hundreds of over-complicated controls or PowerPoint presentations. So I really like the team to feel that I'm trying to make their day by day work easier and lighter, that if they need to share an issue with me that my door is open and they don't need to bring a lot of material to discuss it to come and talk you know, and we will exchange and suggest solutions and try to figure out the best way forward. So I believe it is being very important. Normally in procurement or world we are always overloaded with a lot of things to do. And so I always try to simplify and to be quick on the actions that sometimes prevent them to proceed, for example, there's sometimes a lot of approvals that need to take place. So try always to be fast, because I know that this sometimes it's very important on and on the daily activities so summarising, I would say to us in simplest.

That's all for this amazing interview. If you would like to see and learn more about Deutsche Aircraft and our team, make sure to follow us on LinkedIn and stay alert for news coming soon on www.deutscheaircraft.com.

We are excited to announce that the RAMS engineering team have engaged with Deutsche Aircraft to participate in the certification effort for the Dornier D328eco™ aircraft, a game-changing platform that will align the future of aviation towards a zero-emission flight objective.

The primary focus of the D328eco program is enhancing the Dornier 328 platform and delivering a future proved regional aircraft. The technical mission for the aircraft is based on a clear commitment for more sustainable aviation with significant positive impacts on short-range regional transportation versus today’s standard technologies. The new D328eco aircraft is a derivative of the proven Dornier 328 series aircraft, which is a solid starting point for the certification basis. The technological challenge is in the new powerplant combination and the latest generation avionic suite designed to enhance the in-service Dornier 328 into a more sustainable regional and multi-mission aircraft equipped to meet the future challenges of the market.

DMD Solutions and Deutsche Aircraft have agreed on a 4-year collaboration plan aligned with a soundly designed certification strategy. The DMD Solutions RAMS team will support the Type Certificate approval of the D328eco by providing engineering expertise in safety, reliability, and maintainability to the Deutsche Aircraft engineering team in the framework of CS-25 regulatory requirements. The RAMS team works in an agile methodology framework to maximise customer satisfaction and to meet today's challenges of remote efficient working. The collaboration is led by Silvia Bianchi, Deutsche Aircraft's Director Aircraft Architecture and the team engages on a daily basis with the design and CVE engineering teams. For the production of RAMS analyses, both teams turn to the Robin RAMS software suite which allows a secure workflow environment and a fluid project collaboration platform.

It is with great pleasure that DMD Solutions starts this collaboration on the ambitious D328eco project and the whole team is looking forward to keeping up with the good work!

Munich/Bodø, 14th of March 2022. The German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft (DA) and the North Energy Cluster (NEC), based in Northern Norway have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) stating their common goal to develop solutions that will accelerate the availability of climate-neutral aviation technologies. The cooperation of the two partners will achieve substantial short-term reductions of Northern Norway’s aviation climate footprint throughlow-carbon e-fuels. Furthermore, the partners agree to develop solutions to achieve zero climate impact in the mid-term.

Key Facts

• Norwegian energy cluster disposes of abundant, low-cost renewable energy and the necessary infrastructure to ramp up production of low-carbon e-fuels
• Deutsche Aircraft as a German turboprop aircraft manufacturer is on the forefront of developing a 100% e-fuel compatible aircraft
• The cooperation lays the ground for eliminating aviation’s climate impact, aviation being an essential infrastructure for Northern Norway

MartinNüßeler, Chief Technology Officer of DA:

“This partnership brings us a big stepcloser to climate-neutral flight.”

AndersTørud, Cluster Manager of NEC:

“We have the best possible ecosystem in NorthernNorway to make low carbon e-fuels a reality”

VolkerThum, Chief Executive Officer of the German Aerospace Industries Association(BDLI):

"Green flying is the future and it has already begun.”

Munich-based DA is developing a low-emission regional aircraft based on the Dornier DO328 platform well known to regional air travelers all over the world. The D328eco will achieve near carbon-neutral flight in the below 50 seats market with its state-of-the-art technologies and full compatibility with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Beyond the D328eco, DA is also studying alternative propulsion technologies based on hydrogen for future programs.

The North Energy Cluster/Energi i Nord is comprised of industrial players such as major wind and hydropower producers, technology suppliers, electrochemical companies as well as the aviation sector and local communities that are determined to take the lead in the energy transition in several sectors including aviation.

Northern Norway is a vast and secluded territory. Its network of 26 regional airports is critical infrastructure, more so than anywhere else in Europe. Coupled with Northern Norway’s excess of low-cost renewable energy vital for e-fuel production, it makes for the ideal testing ground for new concepts within climate-neutral aviation. The initiative intends to produce e-fuels using industrial CO2 point sources as a first step which will later be substituted by direct air capture powered by the abundant renewable energy to minimize lifecycle emissions.

By conducting test flights and studying ground infrastructure requirements for the production of e-fuels, the partnership will pave the way towards Northern Norway becoming a leader nationally and internally in the enormous transformation aviation is facing. The cluster will also collaborate with the Lofoten project “The green islands”, an ambitious roadmap to bring sustainable tourism to one of the most scenic and untouched regions of Norway. In his context, short-haul routes on the Lofoten archipelago will be among the first to be operated with alternative fuels.

Comments:

Anders Tørud, Cluster Manager of NEC:

“E-fuels and hydrogen produced from renewable energies remain the most promising scalable solutions to significantly reduce emissions in one of the most hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation. What is key to make it happen, is to bring down production costs through scale and we have the right ecosystem in Northern Norway to do so.”

Martin Nuesseler, Chief Technology Officer of DA:

“A significant factor for the environmental performance of the next generation of aircraft is how fuels are produced. Our ambition at Deutsche Aircraft is therefore to think aircraft operation in conjunction with fuel production to achieve an optimal result for the environment. The challenge for e-fuels is the energy-intensive production process which means that you need to go where you can find abundant renewable energy. Regional aviation contributes on a daily basis to the economic functioning of Northern Norway and provides enormous societal benefits. We want to show that you can achieve this without inflicting harm on our environment.

Combining the modern turboprop D328eco efficiency with a 100% SAF capability represents the best way to update the market with a green aircraft in the shortest time possible. “

Volker Thum, Chief Executive Officer of the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI):

"Green flying is the future and it has already begun. This is also demonstrated by the cooperation between our member Deutsche Aircraft and Energi i Nord. The introduction of Sustainable Aviation Fuels and in the long-term hydrogen can contribute significantly to the realization of climate-neutral flight. The transformation of civil aviation towards climate neutrality, in which sustainable aviation fuels are indispensable, will be the focus of ILA Berlin. This leading trade show of our industry on sustainability, new technologies and innovation will take place from the 22nd until the 26th of June 2022."

• Set for entry into service in 2025/2026, the new D328eco turboprop regional aircraft will feature numerous modernized features
• Newly designed state of the art flight deck
• Entirely new cabin linings and monuments
• Bespoke seat design to maximize passenger comfort and space
• Setting new hygiene standards

Munich – 23rd February 2022 – The German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft has announced a partnership with the London-based design agency Factorydesign. Deutsche Aircraft is currently working on remodeling the Dornier 328 short haul aircraft into a more environmentally-friendly concept, called D328eco.

The focus on sustainability also applies to the cabin interior. Factorydesign are tasked with creating an all-new cabin interior including walls, ceilings, overhead compartments, bulkheads and partition, a new and engaging welcome on boarding, as well as a new galley, lavatory and bespoke seating.

The goal is to redefine the cabin through design features, with careful attention to sustainable materials and processes, plus thoughtful consideration given to the passenger experience, crew requirements and operation.

“It is clear that the future success of aviation at all levels will be determined by the airframers thoughtful attention to sustainability, passenger experience and providing airlines with options to improve their flexibility.  As such, we are naturally delighted to be working for Deutsche Aircraft on the new cabin interiors for their D328eco aircraft.” says Peter Tennent, Commercial Director, Factorydesign.

Ecological, comfortable and safe

Redesigning seats, stowage compartments, structural components and lighting can save weight and thus make the aircraft more fuel efficient. Selecting certified materials for components that are either recycled or are recyclable, help to reduce waste. By looking into alternative manufacturing techniques, resources may be used more efficiently.

Sustainability does not end with weight-saving and alternative materials. Passenger comfort is also key in providing a sustainable tool for airlines. “We are looking at ways to enhance the customer experience. Passengers should expect that they are being looked after, feel safe and have an experience that they want to happily come back to and not just tolerate,” explains Adrian Berry, Creative Director at Factorydesign.

What applies to the passengers also applies to the crew. Key aspects of providing them with a suitable workspace are technological enhancements, ergonomics of space and simplicity of the design.

Safety has always been an important consideration in air travel. The covid-pandemic has put an even bigger emphasis on hygiene in the cabin. Cleaning and cleanability will also be emphasized. Other state of the art cleaning solutions, anti-microbial surfaces and finishes, as well as easy and quickly changeable refreshment items could be incorporated.

Creating a convincing “business card”

Houda El Mektoumi, Head of Cabin & Cargo at Deutsche Aircraft shares: “The cabin design is the business card of an aircraft and any airline. Together with Factorydesign, our team of Cabin Interior Engineers will ensure that the high comfort and design level of long-haul jets will continue in regional aircraft. Passengers will enjoy a seamless flight experience in the D328eco and be delighted by the unique, sustainable cabin design. We are certain that together with Factorydesign we can open a new chapter in short haul air travel.”

About Factorydesign

Factorydesign is a multi-award winning, creative design agency with studios and workshops in West London, delivering strategic design solutions for cabin interiors and products for the aviation sector.  Creating unique passenger experiences through the design of cabin layouts, interiors and products including seats for all classes, cabin destinations and features, monuments, lavatories and galleys, as well interpreting and integrating brands through materials, colour, trim and finish for regional and commercial aircraft.

MUNICH, February 9th 2022 – Deutsche Aircraft GmbH today announced its partnership with SupplyOn, a leading company for supply chain management, to develop a state of the art digital management system for its supply chain, aligned with its 100% paperless, full digitalisation objective.

In order to successfully implement the strategic goal of a resilient digital supply chain in the shortest possible time, Deutsche Aircraft chose the established SupplyOn platform to support the major ramp up expected to produce the D328eco™ aircraft, a game-changing platform that prepares the future of aviation today and paves the way towards a zero-emission flight objective.  

This ambitious mission can only be achieved if highly efficient production processes are established quickly. The digitalisation of the supply chain is crucial in this context. It will comprise a global network of around 100 suppliers. SupplyOn will help Deutsche Aircraft centralize this process digitally and create a structured communication with its suppliers using the established SupplyOn platform. SupplyOn not only offers mature, industry-specific solutions and processes, but also access to a global network of over 100,000 companies, a large proportion of which are dedicated suppliers to the aerospace industry. These are the best prerequisites for Deutsche Aircraft to electronically map its supply chain end-to-end.

This effort is led by Deutsche Aircraft´s Director of Supply Chain, Maximilian Fahr, who said: “This collaboration is part of Deutsche Aircraft’s broader strategy towards a full digitalization of our supply chain. We have chosen to work with SupplyOn, because we know that this partnership will guarantee us to meet effectively our ambitious objectives”.

Initially, the focus is on digitising the tender phase in order to select competitive, sustainable and innovative bidders. The comprehensive digitization starts with the integration of around 30 strategically most important suppliers, who are also involved in the development of the prototype. These deliver the top 20 main components (MCA). At later stage, the Leipzig/Halle FAL will be included up until the series phase, which is planned for 2025, and the group of suppliers will be expanded to around 90. The aim of the rollout is fully digitized final assembly - 100 percent "paperless".

“We are pleased to be working with Deutsche Aircraft on this exciting project”, commented Markus Quicken, CEO, SupplyOn AG. “This is an essential step towards Deutsche Aircraft’s vision of securing the highest quality suppliers in the long term in order to achieve excellence, not only in product development, but also in the overall’s company processes. Building on SupplyOn´s extensive expertise, we are convinced that our team will be of a great support in this matter.”

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Get access to Martin Nüsseler's (CTO Deutsche Aircraft) presentation during the ERA Board meeting on Jan 27th 2022 on Providing an Early Solution towards Sustainable Aviation by clicking the link below:

As part of its continuing global support for the Dornier 328 fleet, Deutsche Aircraft GmbH is pleased to announce that an EASA certified Dornier 328 Jet Full Flight Simulator (FFS) Level D is now operational in Germany and will be available for training from the 1st of December 2021 onwards. The simulator received its certification from the German Federal Aviation Office (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt – LBA) on November 25th 2021. 

The simulator will be operated by Simulator Training Solution GmbH (STS). Deutsche Aircraft GmbH is cooperating with STS GmbH, the operator of the Do328 Prop simulator and now offers Do 328Jet training, on a fixed rate per hour basis. These slots can be directly booked through a dedicated page on the Deutsche Aircraft website.

“Given the excellent expertise of Deutsche Aircraft in supporting the Dornier 328 fleet over many years, we are proud to partner with them on this project, supporting the training of the next generation of pilots on the Dornier 328.” Jan Hünerfeld, CEO of STS.

Dave Jackson, Managing Director of Deutsche Aircraft stated: “It is essential to keep our operators up to date with the latest safety requirements and training, and ensure their flight training even during the current COVID-19 situation regardless of their flying activity. Establishing the simulator in Germany, is a major step towards simplifying our activities and extending our service offering to our Dornier 328 operators.”

The simulator facility is conventionally located in Velbert/Essen, close to Düsseldorf as well as Cologne-Bonn airports.

On December 6th 1991, the Dornier 328 took off for the very first time. Today marks the 30th anniversary of this milestone that we wanted to celebrate here at Deutsche Aircraft with our colleagues, partners as well as past & current customers of this amazing aircraft !

We really hope you will enjoy the footages of this maiden flight..

MUNICH, 27 October 2021 – Deutsche Aircraft GmbH today announced achievement of a new milestone toward construction of its final assembly line for the D328eco at Leipzig/Halle Airport.

Deutsche Aircraft and Leipzig/Halle Airport reached a newmilestone in the project agreement for the establishment of a newstate-of-the-art FAL for the D328eco located on the premises of the airport.The construction application for the FAL has been delivered to Saxony building authorities and approval is expected in December and the ground-breaking event is planned for the second half of 2022.

With construction of the FAL in Leipzig, Deutsche Aircraft will be an active participant in the revitalization of the region’s economy by creating around 300 new jobs and helping develop Saxony’s aerospace industry capabilities. Vital to achieving this objective is support from the development programme, “Improvement of the Regional Economic Structure”, also called GRW,of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs. The GRW has been the central instrument of regional economic policy in Germany since 1969.

In parallel, to meet the objective of building a carbon-neutral production line for the D328eco, Deutsche Aircraft is collaborating with planning agency Drees & Sommer, an international consulting company working in the German building and real estate sector. Together,the two companies are working to create future building proofs that integrate economic efficiency and minimize the FAL’s environmental impact.

Deutsche Aircraft Vice President Operations and Programmes, Nico Neumann said, “Establishing a state-of-the-art final assembly line for theD328eco in Germany is key to the development of our programme. We believe in reducing our environmental impact at every step in the aircraft design process, and this includes rethinking our production processes and building the right facility. The collaboration with Leipzig/Halle Airport will allow us to build on an ideal location in the centre of Germany and utilize the airport’s extensive aerospace experience to create a state-of-the-art facility. Furthermore, we are proud to contribute to boosting the region’s economy”.

Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Dulig declared: "Since Germany´s reunification, the State of Saxony has invested around 1.5 billion euros in the expansion of Leipzig/Halle Airport, thus creating ideal conditions for further settlements. Companies can draw on a high level of aerospace expertise in Saxony. Around 160 companies and research institutions with more than 7,000 employees are active in Saxony's aerospace sector. The establishment of the aircraft production line in Leipzig/Halle will radiate beyond Saxony and give a boost to the German aviation industry, which was particularly affected by the Corona pandemic."

Thomas Horn, Managing Director of Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH, said: "The establishment of the aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft in Leipzig and the associated investment in the constructionof a final assembly line for the production of the D328eco aircraft demonstrate the confidence in Saxony as a business location. For the first time since the end of aircraft manufacturing in the GDR, such a production facility is again being built in the east of Germany. With the existing competencies and the many years of experience of the Saxon aerospace players in aircraft construction, we see numerous points of contact. We are pleased that the project is moving forward."

Götz Ahmelmann, CEO Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG, said:"Central German Airports will be the birthplace of a state-of-the-art aircraft. This is something special for us emotionally. We could hardly get a more suitable industry on the site to further develop our location in terms of quality. The D328eco is a passenger aircraft that is likely to be the future in its class as a fast and environmentally friendly regional aircraft. Thus, the site once again sends an important signal: work and the environment go hand in hand."

I am pleased to once again present you with exciting updates about Deutsche Aircraft's work and progresses for this quarter.

The transition from 328 Support Services GmbH to Deutsche Aircraft GmbH is officially complete. We are now all working under the same brand towards a common goal: more climate friendly regional aviation.

Customer satisfaction is at the heart of our company philosophy when it comes to our work on the D328® aircraft fleet. For the past quarter, we are pleased to have had a busy hangar. Our maintenance team demonstrated high quality work with a customer-oriented mindset. Every maintenance event was completed on time and to full customers´ full satisfaction.

I am pleased to once again present you with exciting updates about Deutsche Aircraft's work and progresses for this quarter.

The transition from 328 Support Services GmbH to Deutsche Aircraft GmbH is officially complete. We are now all working under the same brand towards a common goal: more climate friendly regional aviation.

Customer satisfaction is at the heart of our company philosophy when it comes to our work on the D328® aircraft fleet. For the past quarter, we are pleased to have had a busy hangar. Our maintenance team demonstrated high quality work with a customer-oriented mindset. Every maintenance event was completed on time and to full customers´ full satisfaction.

Enjoy the read!

Dave Jackson, Managing Director of Deutsche Aircraft

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Deutsche Aircraft Achievements and Progresses

On 8th October 2021, the transition from 328SSG to Deutsche Aircraft was official with the change of name recognised by the German Register of Commerce.

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D328®

Our hangar was busy for the past quarter. Among our work, we are pleased to highlight some of the achievements of our team: the completion of maintenance work on four aircraft for three different customers: Luxaviation, Private Wings and Eagle Air.

The Luxaviation aircraft came in for line maintenance. The team completed an A1 and A2 check and associated defect rectification.

From May to July, the team carried out two phase 6 inspections on two Private Wings aircraft. A Phase 6 inspection is one of the largest inspections of the D328 aircraft. One aircraft was also repainted in the new livery of Private Wings.

One Eagle Air aircraft also came in for line maintenance. The team performed engine inspections, scheduled maintenance tasks, and released to service.

After delivery of the aircraft, we received a formal recognition from Eagle Air for the work performed. “We were very happy with this maintenance visit and with all the Deutsche Aircraft people we worked with” wrote Björn S. Eggertson, Technical Manager at Eagle Air.

Moreover, the team completed Wiring-Loom production for one of our customer’s aircraft along with a ship set for HIRF testing.

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D328eco™

The development of our D328eco platform is progressing as scheduled, with the announcement of the HEGGEMANN AG as key supplier for the wing industrialisation and production, HEGGEMANN AG.

HEGGEMANN has over 55 years' experience, mastering high-volume, industrialized production. The aerodynamically optimized wing design of the D328ecoTM will be built via state-of-the-art automatized manufacturing process flow. Hereby, progressive quality assurance and digitized end-to-end processes in terms of “Industry 4.0” will be implemented. The manufactured wing and its sub-components will be fully sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) compatible, with new sealants, surface protection measures and materials that fits with all mainstream SAFs.

HEGGEMANN AG is a strong partner in the development of the D328eco and will also supply the landing gear for the aircraft.

The on-boarding of other key suppliers and partners is ongoing and more news will be announced soon.

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Meet our Team

We are delighted to introduce you to more talents on our team. This quarter, meet Dr. Stefan Brunner, our Head of Airframe and Jean Damien Mazeau, our Head of Propulsion.

Dr. Stefan Brunner joined Deutsche Aircraft as Head of Airframe. He is responsible for the design of the airframe´s primary structure. He also handles structural analysis along with materials and processes for the complete aircraft.

Stefan built a long career in aerospace, working for various key players such as MT Aerospace AG, Premium Aerotec GmbH and Airbus Group.

During his 17 years within Airbus, he was heavily involved in a wide variety of major engineering programmes for both commercial aviation and defence and space programmes.

Jean Damien Mazeau joined Deutsche Aircraft in November 2020 as Head of Propulsion.

He is in charge of the development work for the propulsion systems for the D328eco’s propulsion systems.

Jean Damien worked for over 18 years within Airbus, starting in Airbus Helicopter as Thermal Engineer before integrating the Chief Engineering Team in France and Germany. He then moved to Airbus Commercial to work as Power Plant Chief Engineer in charge of A320. Afterwards, he came onboard Airbus Commercial customer support organization in the engineering department to manage the entry into service of the A320neo. Finally, he moved to Singapore for Airbus customer support programme of the A320 to be the main technical focal point for the Asian Pacific market where he stayed for two and a half year.

He holds an Engineering degree in Thermal and Energetics from the University of Poitiers in France.

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Deutsche Aircraft - Your Place to Lift Off

As part of its long-term growth strategy, Deutsche Aircraft launched a vocational training programme in partnership with AERO-Bildung, the aviation training centre of Bavaria, to train aircraft mechanics.

The first cohort will enrol four students and is expected to start in September 2022. During a 42-month timeframe, trainees will learn the ins and outs of the business of aircraft mechanics at the AERO-Bildung facilities and will test their newly acquired knowledge on state-of-the-art aircraft at Deutsche Aircraft near Munich.

Deutsche Aircraft is looking forward to welcome them and to enrich its team with a youthful spirit!

Tune in to our career website here to learn more about this opportunity.

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Deutsche Aircraft at Key Aerospace Events

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2021 RAA Leaders Conference

On 27 and 28 September 2021, Deutsche Aircraft “virtually” attended the 2021 RAA Leaders Conference, a conference of the Regional Airline Association, a business association representing 18 North American regional airlines and 280 associate, non-airline members, including manufacturers of products and services supporting the regional airline industry.

In a mix of presentation and panel discussions, the first day of debates evolved around COVID-19 and its impact on the aviation industry. The conclusion was that while we are on the way to recovery, we are still very far from getting there. Experts expect the U.S. to be one of the fastest – if not the fastest – regions to recover post-COVID due to the large domestic market. They also consider that business travel will be slower to recover, even if in-person meeting with customers is still seen a key factor to seal the deal.

Population decentralisation post pandemic is expected to be a major driver of demand for regional aviation, potentially resulting in a shift to smaller planes. Thus, discussions in the second day gauged trends to revert back towards the 50ish-seater spectrum, with a closer look on upcoming smaller aircraft and finished with an outlook on green initiatives in aviation.

The Air Current, a data-driven aviation trade media, reporting on the business, technology and strategy of flying, presented a comprehensive review of small sustainable regional aircraft currently in development. Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco was featured in this review as the upcoming contender to watch.

Panel discussion around environmentally friendly aircraft brought up a lot of skepticism due to the commercial (and sustainable) viability of electric powered aircraft. Such aircraft are deemed too heavy and concerns were raised around battery disposal.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is seen as the short-medium term alternative towards greener aviation.

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15th Day of the German Aerospace

On 29th September 2021, the 15th Day of German Aerospace Regions took place in Aachen, Germany.

The event brought together the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the Regional Forum of the German Aerospace Industries Association and the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) alongside with the AeroSpace NRW network and major aerospace companies.

Our partner HEGGEMANN AG had a stand where Deutsche Aircraft displayed a model of the D328eco. We had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. Thomas Jarzombek, Commissioner for the Digital Industry and Start-ups and Federal Government Coordinator of German Aerospace Policy, and Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, Minister for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, onto the stand and to explain the unique capabilities of the D328eco.

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Deutsche Aircraft in the News

This quarter, media interest in Deutsche Aircraft continued to grow, with news coverage across key business and aviation media outlets. Press releases helped pique interest, with announcements regarding the launch of our vocational training programme for aircraft mechanics, D328eco programme development and the official name change from 328SSG GmbH to Deutsche Aircraft GmbH.

Deutsche Aircraft was also featured in respected business publications presenting the D328eco as the future of flight.

Finally, thanks to a digital campaign and a revamped website, Deutsche Aircraft strengthened its online presence.

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Deutsche Aircraft and AERO-Bildung sign partnership to start vocational training for Aircraft Mechanics (August 23, 2021)

• ‍Deutsche Aircraft and AERO-Bildung Partner to Offer Vocational Training for Aircraft Mechanics, Aviation Pros
• ‍D328eco maker steps up vocational training, Business Air News

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Deutsche Aircraft Selects HEGGEMANN AG for D328ecoTM Wing Industrialization and Production (September 2, 2021)

• Deutsche Aircraft reinforces Heggemann ties with D328eco wing pact, Flight Global
• Deutsche Aircraft Selects Heggemann AG for D328ecoTM Wing Production, AviationPros

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328 Support Services GmbH officially becomes Deutsche Aircraft GmbH (October 8, 2021)

• 328 Support Services GmbH officially becomes Deutsche Aircraft GmbH, World Airline News
• 328 Support Services GmbH officially becomes Deutsche Aircraft GmbH, Aviationpros

MÜNCHEN, den 27. September 2021 – Heute wird die 328 Support Services GmbH (328SSG), Inhaber der Musterzulassung für die D328®, offiziell zu Deutsche Aircraft GmbH (Deutsche Aircraft). Die Umfirmierung folgt auf die Neuausrichtung des Unternehmens als Flugzeughersteller (OEM).

Gestützt auf die jahrzehntelange Erfahrung der 328SSG als Halter der Musterzulassung für die D328®-Familie, arbeitet die Deutsche Aircraft an der Entwicklung der D328ecoTM - einem modernen, 40-sitzigen Turboprop-Flugzeug, das in der Lage ist sehr große Höhe und Fluggeschwindigkeit zu erreichen. Die D328ecoTM ist SAF-kompatibel und verfügt über ein neues integriertes CompanionTM-Flugdeck (basierend auf der Garmin 5000-Avionik Suite). Die Inbetriebnahme ist für Ende 2025 geplant.

Die Deutsche Aircraft mit Sitz in Oberpfaffenhofen bei München wird wie bisher die Wartung und den technischen Support für die weltweit im Einsatz befindliche D328®-Flotte übernehmen. Gleichzeitig werden die Teams in den Bereichen Engineering, Operations, Programme und Supply Chain weiter ausgebaut, um die Entwicklung des D328ecoTM-Programms voranzutreiben. Die ersten Prototypen der D328ecoTM werden in Oberpfaffenhofen gebaut und die ersten Flugtests sind für das Jahr 2024 geplant.

In Leipzig errichtet die Deutsche Aircraft eine neue, hochmoderne Endmontagelinie (FAL), die Ende 2024 in Betrieb gehen wird. Die Wiederaufnahme der Produktion in Deutschland auf Basis einer bewährten und international anerkannten Plattform, wird es Deutsche Aircraft erleichtern, schnell auf die wachsende Nachfrage nach einem Flugzeug dieser Größe zu reagieren.

"Es ist eine sehr spannende Zeit in der Luftfahrt und bei Deutsche Aircraft. Wir haben einen neuen Flugzeughersteller, neue Anlagen und ein wachsendes Team", sagte Dave Jackson, Managing Director von Deutsche Aircraft. "Um auf dieser Reise erfolgreich zu sein, war eine starke Marke notwendig, die unsere Ambitionen verkörpert und uns noch enger zusammenwachsen lässt. Die Marke Deutsche Aircraft steht für das hohe Ansehen der deutschen Luftfahrttechnik, unser Umwelt- und Nachhaltigkeitsbewusstsein und unsere Leidenschaft für Flugzeuge. Unser Symbol, der Kolibri, steht für unsere Werte und Visionen: den Schutz der Umwelt, Anpassungsfähigkeit und perfekt umgesetzte Flugeigenschaften."

Unser Unternehmen wächst ständig. Sind Sie an einer Mitarbeit interessiert? Auf unserer Website finden Sie eine Reihe an offenen Positionen: https://www.deutscheaircraft.com/careers.

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Für Medienanfragen wenden Sie sich bitte an: pressoffice@DeutscheAircraft.com 

Anmerkung für die Redaktion

Über Deutsche Aircraft 

Gegründet auf dem Vermächtnis von Dornier und dem hohen Ansehen Deutschlands in den Bereichen des Ingenieurwesens, Qualität und Innovation, ist die Deutsche Aircraft der neue deutsche Flugzeugoriginalhersteller (OEM). Als Inhaber der Dornier 328-Musterzulassung (D328®), wird die Deutsche Aircraft die Weiterentwickung der D328® Plattform vorantreiben, um mit zukunftsweisenden Technologien und Verfahren ein leistungsfähigeres, wirtschaftlicheres und umweltfreundlicheres Flugzeug zu produzieren. Deutsche Aircraft wird somit die Zukunft der Luftfahrt in Richtung klimaneutrales Fliegen entscheidend prägen. In Zusammenarbeit mit der deutschen Regierung ist die Deutsche Aircraft wegweisend in einer neuen Ära der sauberen, sicheren und effizienten Luftfahrt.

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MUNICH, 27th September 2021 – Today, 328 Support Services GmbH (328SSG) – Type Certificate holder for the D328®aircraft – officially becomes Deutsche Aircraft GmbH (Deutsche Aircraft). The new company name follows the reestablishment of the company as an Aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

Following a decades-long track record of success as 328SSG, Deutsche Aircraft is poised to support the future of aviation with development of the D328eco™ aircraft, a fast, modern, high-flying, 40-seat turboprop that is SAF compatible and features a new integrated Companion™ flight deck (based on Garmin 5000 avionics suite). The D328eco is expected to enter into service by end of 2025.

Headquartered in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich, Deutsche Aircraft will continue to provide maintenance and technical support to the global D328 fleet in service. Deutsche Aircraft also has plans to grow its engineering, operations, programs and supply chain teams to support the D328eco program development. The first prototypes of the D328eco will be built in Oberpfaffenhofen with the flight-testing campaign scheduled to start in 2024.

The new and state-of-the-art Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Leipzig is on target to be operational by the end of 2024. Restarting production in Germany allows the company to capitalize on the growing and immediate demand for aircraft of this size with a proven and internationally recognized platform.

“It is a very exciting time in aviation and at Deutsche Aircraft. We have a new aircraft OEM, new facilities and a growing team,” said Dave Jackson, Managing Director of Deutsche Aircraft. “To embark on this journey, we needed a strong brand that embodies our ambitions and brings us closer together. Deutsche Aircraft’s brand refers to our German aviation-engineering heritage, our environmental and sustainability consciousness, and our passion for aircraft. Our symbol, the Hummingbird, represents our values and vision. It is sustainable, adaptable and perfectly engineered.”

Our organization is constantly growing. Interested in joining us? We have a number of open vacancies on our website at https://www.deutscheaircraft.com/careers. 

This partnership is a key milestone in the development of the D328eco programme

Deutsche Aircraft, the new purpose-driven German aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), announced today the selection of HEGGEMANN AG for the D328eco^TM wing industrialization and production. This agreement covers the manufacturing of the D328eco^TM wing box and engine support.

The aerodynamically optimized wing design of the D328eco^TM will be manufactured in a state-of-the-art automatized manufacturing process flow. Hereby, progressive quality assurance and digitalized end-to-end processes in terms of “Industry 4.0” will be implemented.

The manufactured wing and its sub-components will be fully sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) compatible, with new sealants, surface protection measures and materials that fits with all mainstream sustainable aviation fuels.

HEGGEMANN has over 55 years industrial experience, mastering high-volume, industrialized production, which will support the growth of the aviation sector. The company has fully implemented the APQP principle, a digital end-to-end process and product lifecycle tracking system. These attributes are mandatory for Deutsche Aircraft’s deployment of Industry 4.0 manufacturing principles. Aside of digitalization, HEGGEMANN also offers REACH roadmap that aligns with Deutsche Aircraft’s efforts to minimize environmental impact.

“Combining the advantage of Dornier wing structure, forward-looking SAF compatibility and HEGGEMANN’s production expertise, this partnership will create great synergy for the D328eco^TM programme”, said Nico Neumann, Vice President of Operation and Programme at Deutsche Aircraft GmbH. “We found HEGGEMANN to be the perfect partner for the D328eco^TM wing serial production. Our vision and mission align when it comes to sustainable production roadmap. Furthermore, we are both proud of our German heritage of unmet engineering excellence and quality”.

“We are very pleased to be an essential part of the development of the D328eco^TM programme. Realizing the wing in addition to the landing gear gives us the unique chance to further strengthen our partnership with Deutsche Aircraft. We will use our engineering competence and innovation strength to implement state-of-the-art digital manufacturing strategies and be an efficient manufacturing partner for Deutsche Aircraft," said Dr. Christian Howe, CEO of HEGGEMANN AG.

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Deutsche Aircraft, the new purpose-driven German aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and AERO-Bildung, the aviation training centre of Bavaria, have signed a cooperation agreement to jointly train future aviation mechanics. Both companies are distinguished by their long experience within the aviation industry. 

This is the first time that Deutsche Aircraft is offering vocational training. It is part of an integrated recruitment strategy that supports the growth and ambition of the company. The first cohort will enrol four students and is expected to start in September 2022.

Duringa 42-month timeframe, trainees will learn the basics of the work as aircraft mechanics at the AERO-Bildung facilities and will test their newly acquired knowledge on state-of-the-art aircraft at Deutsche Aircraft nearby Munich.

Upon graduation, outstanding trainees will have the opportunity to start their career within Deutsche Aircraft, either at Oberpfaffenhofen or at the Final Assembly Line in Leipzig.

“The start of this vocational training programme is part of a long-term growth strategy for Deutsche Aircraft. It also supports our regional strategy as it will help strengthen the connection between our two German sites in berpfaffenhofen and Leipzig. During this programme, students will learn the ins and outs of the business of aircraft mechanics and will test their newly acquired knowledge on state-of-the-art aircraft. We are looking forward to welcome them and to enrich our team with a youthful spirit” said Dave Jackson, Managing Director of Deutsche Aircraft.

“We are excited to contribute to training the next generation of aircraft mechanics with the right skills to make our vision, climate neutral flying, a reality. Vocational training opens the door to an exciting career that starts straight after school. Within this programme, trainees learn everything there is to know about aircraft mechanics, from assembly to maintenance of an aircraft. Moreover, we will offer the opportunity to the top graduates to develop and progress within our company”, says Nico Neumann, VP Operations and Programme.

"Investing in young generations is investing in the future. We are looking forward to this cooperation and offer a wide area of trainings and qualification beyond apprenticeships within the aviation industry”, says Robert Voit, founder of AERO-Bildung.

Applications will open in October 2021. More information on the application process will be published on our website in October 2021.

The first half of 2021 has been filled with thrilling developments for Deutsche Aircraft.

We have made important progress and are moving ahead along the PDR (Product Design Review) of the D328eco,  having key suppliers and partnerships on board.

Besides, to further minimize our environmental impact, we have concluded several agreements to work on technology proof-of-concepts for hydrogen to be fitted on our former D328® aircraft.

To give us the means to match our ambitions, we launched an employer branding campaign to recruit talents to help us write an important page of the aviation history together.

Since our last industry update in December 2020, where we formally announced Deutsche Aircraft’s name for the very first time, we have been working on the brand transitioning from 328SSG to Deutsche Aircraft. Step by step, we are moving closer to complete the process in September 2021.

To make this transition a success and shape a strong global brand, we have created a new visual identity that represents our commitment to ambitious environmental objectives. I am delighted to share with you the story behind the brand.

Finally, we announced officially our technological partnerships and progresses in five press releases that have received broad media coverage.

Enjoy the read!

Dave Jackson, Managing Director of Deutsche Aircraft

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Deutsche Aircraft Progresses

D328eco Platform

We are proud to announce that we have selected Garmin G5000 avionics to be fitted in our newly designed CompanionTM flight deck. The implementation of the Garmin avionics is one key enabling system towards future Single Pilot Operation capability for our D328eco platform. In parallel, we are developing in our hangar in Oberpaffenhofen a mock-up of the cockpit fitted with our CompanionTM flight deck design to do preliminary testing.

Next to our avionics system, we have also selected a supplier for the D328eco empennage.  We will be working with GKN Aerospace on the development of the empennage and the industrialisation of this airframe main assembly, which includes the rear fuselage and the vertical- and horizontal tail plane fin. The empennage will feature advanced lightweight solutions involving state-of-the-art composite technology.

Furthermore, we have successfully concluded the first series of tests on the new landing gear being developed to be fitted into the D328eco with our partner Heggemann AG. The landing gear development programme has now officially entered into the detail design phase.

The onboarding of other key suppliers is ongoing and more news will be announced soon.

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Future Technology Development

Deutsche Aircraft’s objective is to fly zero CO2 emissions regional aircraft. We believe in the potential of hydrogen technology to help us reach this goal.

To help move this technology further in the aerospace industry, Deutsche Aircraft has signed two Memorandum of Understanding with two companies developing hydrogen technologies, H2Fly, who works on hydrogen fuel cells, and Universal Hydrogen, who works on hydrogen tanks.

Deutsche Aircraft will work together with H2Fly on the research and development of Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology for commercial regional aircraft. We will equip a D328® platform with a 1.5MW hydrogen system and we are planning to have the first flight of our demonstrator by the end of 2025.

In parallel, we will work with Universal Hydrogen on a design study to incorporate Universal Hydrogen’s modular capsule technology into the D328® platform.

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Deutsche Aircraft: Your Place to Lift Off!

As we previously emphasized since the launch of the program, our ability to build up the team to face the challenges and opportunities ahead is and will remain vital.

To attract the best talents, our HR team did not leave any stones unturned. They have been conducting an employer branding campaign whose objective was to promote Deutsche Aircraft’s reputation and brand to be recognised as an employer of choice within the aerospace industry.

Deutsche Aircraft is a great family of passionate and experienced aviation people. We are looking for colleagues who also share our passion for aviation and for the environment.

Tune in to our video and meet our colleagues and learn more about our work.

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Welcome: New Leadership Onboard

2021 has been a dynamic year when it comes to hiring and onboarding. We are increasingly seeing more “new faces” around the office. We are delighted to welcome onboard these passionate colleagues whose values align with ours and who believe in what Deutsche Aircraft represents. Together, we will make sustainable aviation a reality.

Among our new talents, we recently welcomed two new Heads of Department to strengthen our engineering team with their experience and expertise. Meet Silvia Bianchi, our Director of Aircraft Architecture, and Regina Pouzolz, our Director of Sustainability.

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Silvia Bianchi joined Deutsche Aircraft as Director of Aircraft Architecture. She is responsible for aircraft architecture for all future, current (D328eco) and legacy programmes, managing flight physics, powerplant, product safety, technical configuration and design integration.

A skilled aeronautical engineering leader and technology product development director with over 20 years’ experience in high-tech and engineering integration, Silvia joins us from the Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation where she was IPT Director and Engineering Director for Aircraft Integration, Safety and V&V. Her previous global industry experience also includes Bombardier Aerospace, Diamond Aircraft, and Ferrari.

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Regina Pouzolz joined Deutsche Aircraft as Director of Sustainability.

Regina started her aerospace career almost 20 years ago in Airbus’ Future Projects Office in Toulouse, where she developed an aircraft design methodology for minimum impact on climate. She then moved to McKinsey and Co. as a Senior Consultant in strategy, organization and product development, before heading back into the aerospace industry at MTU Aero Engines. There, Regina worked in Advanced Design and Business Development, where she introduced climate impact as part of the overall evaluation of future engine concepts.

Regina holds a PhD from TU Munich and a diploma of Ecole Centrale Paris.

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Deutsche Aircraft Brand Identity Story

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At Deutsche Aircraft, we do not only bring expertise in aviation engineering: we drive innovation with passion. Reducing our environmental impact and stimulating sustainable economic and social growth along the way are part of our DNA.

Thus, when creating our new brand and logo, we did not solely focus on aviation. We brought “nature” into our visual identity. Our logo stems from the shape of a Humming bird. This bird represents well our values.

A Humming bird is energy efficient and versatile – it can fly up to 2000 miles tirelessly and in any direction. Its long beak allows it to reach the sweetest parts of flowers that other birds can’t get to, which makes it highly adaptable. While being the smallest bird in the world, the Humming bird is very agile and robust.

Deutsche Aircraft is developing an energy efficient and versatile aircraft that can land on unpaved runways, allowing it to reach remote locations. Building on a robust engineering background and decades of experience, Deutsche Aircraft has unrivalled ambitions to shape the future of our industry. Just like the Humming bird, we, Deutsche Aircraft, are small and robust while being simultaneously sustainable, adaptable and perfectly engineered.

Deutsche Aircraft, the new purpose-driven German aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and UniversalHydrogen Co., the company fueling carbon-free flight, today announced a technical collaboration  to advance the decarbonization of aviation, a global imperative in the fight against climate change. Together, the two companies will complete a design study to incorporate Universal Hydrogen’s modular capsule technology into the Dornier 328 program.

“We see hydrogen as the only realistic approach foraviation to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement,” said Paul Eremenko, co-founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen. “We are tackling the biggest obstacle to near-term hydrogen adoption: its delivery and distribution to airports and aircraft globally without costly infrastructure. This partnership with Deutsche Aircraft will accelerate our shared goal to put aviation on a trajectory toward true zero carbon emissions.”

The joint effort will analyze the size and integration of the modular capsule technology for hydrogen storage into the aircraft structure and systems (including loading and unloading considerations); aircraft weight and balance; hydrogen cost (infrastructure and fuel); mission performance; and the hydrogen logistics network design. In addition, both Universal Hydrogen and Deutsche Aircraft will work closely with regional and federal German government and European Union entities regarding the development, production, and implementation of the study and project.

“Deutsche Aircraft is committed to enter the new era of climate-neutral aviation. Partnering with companies that share our passion for climate-friendly design like Universal Hydrogen allow us to accelerate our vision for decarbonization,” said Martin Nüsseler, chief technology officer for Deutsche Aircraft. “We are excited to leverage Universal Hydrogen’s technical expertise to assess the safe and affordable use of hydrogen onboard our aircraft as part of our journey to zero emissions.”  

As a key milestone within the D328ecoTM aircraft development programme, Deutsche Aircraft is proud to announce that it has successfully concluded the first series of tests at the facilities ofthe Germany-based partner Heggemann on the new landing gear, currently in development to be fitted onto the D328ecoTM aircraft. The landing gear developmen tprogramme has now officially entered into the detail design phase.

As part of the development programme, Heggemann is building three testbeds for systems engineering bench tests as well as evaluation on first prototypes for the D328ecoTM. Heggemann will provide the complete landing gear structures and systems of both main- and nose landing gear.

This new landing gear will allow the D328ecoTM to inherit the robustness of its predecessor D328, and will increase operational capabilities towards the higher aircraft operational weight. Furthermore, the new landing gears will support unpaved runway operation, on a variety of rough surfaces such as grass, gravel, ice and sand.  

“We're glad to get Heggemann as a strong business partner with key capabilities, know-how and a great team spirit on board of the D328ecoTM programme. We are confident that Heggemann is the right partner to industrialise and produce our Landing Gear, which is a key element of the versatility, mission flexibility and performance of the D328ecoTM”, said Nico Neumann, Vice President Operations and Programmes of Deutsche Aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft’s partnership with Heggemann is not only built upon strong past collaborations, but is also further strengthened by the two companies sharing similar visions. Both are dedicated to sustainable and efficient Industry 4.0 manufacturing. While Deutsche Aircraft is planning to build a state-of-the-art final assembly line in Leipzig, Heggemann already implemented a fully digital 360° end-to-end process and product lifecycle tracking system. Both companies keep the majority of production in Germany and benefit from experienced aviation talents in building Germany’s next regional aircraft.

“We are delighted to join effort on this exciting new D328eco programme which is being developed at an opportune time where the world is more and more opening to air travel, sometime without the possibility to offer proper runways to land or infrastructure to support the aircraft and crew. Being highly flexible, with short runway performances, the D328eco aircraft plays in a class of its own and the current work on the landing gear will increase the reach of destinations’ possibilities. Besides, working with Deutsche Aircraft is further supporting the development of collaborative opportunities within the local supply chain while supporting the growth of the German aviation’s industry”, said Robert Heggemann, CEO and founder of Heggemann.

The Deutsche Aircraft program, currently in concept design phase, is focused on the specification of the new systems, qualification of materials and new production process to align with today standards and secure efficiency for the industrialisation. The regional aircraft program continues to be led out of Oberpfaffenhofen airport near Munich and planning work has commenced to establish the final assembly line at Leipzig Halle Airport.

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• Parties plan to fly a Dornier 328 demonstrator, zero carbon emissions, hydrogen fuel cell aircraft in 2025
• Project designed to demonstrate potential for climate-neutral regional flights
• H2FLY already flew the world’s first hydrogen-electric passenger flight and demonstrated longest ever hydrogen fuel cell-powered flight in 2020
• Partnership demonstrates German leadership in hydrogen technology
  

H2FLY, a German start-up developing hydrogen fuel cell systems for aircraft, and Deutsche Aircraft, a new German aircraft manufacturer putting climate change at the centerstage of their design philosophy, today announced they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) to work together on the research and development of Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology for commercial regional aircraft.

The partnership will see the two companies convert the Dornier 328 aircraft for hydrogen flight, with the demonstrator aircraft expected to take to the skies in 2025. The program is expected to validate the potential for hydrogen to deliver climate neutral regional air travel with up to 40 seats, while demonstrating German leadership in this important field.

Having grown out of a partnership between the German Aerospace Center and the University of Ulm, H2FLY has demonstrated innovative Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology in aviation. The four-seater hydrogen-electric-powered HY4 proved successfully in multiply flight campaigns and over 70 take-offs the applicability of this technology in aviation. With its range of up to 750 km regional markets can be developed.

Today’s announcement marks the next step on the journey towards making climate neutral regional flight a reality, with the teams planning to equip the demonstrator aircraft with a 1.5MW hydrogen system, making it the most powerful hydrogen-electric-powered aircraft to date.

The project will see the companies work together on integrating the power system into the aircraft as well as defining the specific technical and certification requirements for fuel cell systems in EASA’s large aircraft class (“CS25”). The project is designed to complement the German Federal Government’s Aviation Strategy.

Commenting on the announcement, Prof. Dr. Josef Kallo, co-founder and CEO, H2FLY, said: “Flying provides an incredibly important opportunity for humankind, but today that opportunity comes at a significant cost to our planet.

“Hydrogen fuel cell technology provides an opportunity for us to completely eliminate carbon and NOx emissions from regional flights and the technology to make that happen is closer than most people think.

 “Over the last 16 years we have worked hard to demonstrate our technology on smaller aircraft, completing record breaking flights based six powertrain generations. Today we’re pleased to be taking that to the next level with Deutsche Aircraft as we scale our efforts up to regional aircraft.”

Martin Nüßeler, CTO at Deutsche Aircraft, added: “Deutsche Aircraft is convinced that the higher propulsive efficiency of propeller powered aircraft will drive the change in propulsion technology and will result in reducing fuel consumption and emissions even further in the future. Combining modern propeller aircraft design with zero carbon energy sources is central to achieving climate-neutral air transportation. “

“We are looking forward to partner with companies that do not only share our passion for the environment, but also have the technical expertise to ensure that climate-optimised aviation stays safe and reliable, we are convinced the partnership with H2FLY will move us forward on the path to applying hydrogen fuel cells in larger aircraft.”   

Walter Schoefer, Spokesman of the Management Board of Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH (FSG), says: “The process of transforming aviation into a climate-friendly form of air transport is now gaining momentum in a tangible way. This partnership combines pioneering spirit and world-class science with decades of experience in aircraft engineering. We are convinced that this is a milestone on the road to zero-emission aircraft. As an airport, we are called to act as an enabler on this path. As fairport, we want to continue to be a pioneer in the area of sustainability.”

Thomas Jarzombek, Member of the German Bundestag, Coordinator of the Federal Government for German Aerospace, made the following remarks: “From 2035 onward hybrid-electric flying has to be the new standard in Germany. I am happy about the agreed technological cooperation for a sustainable aviation made in Germany. The German Government will continue to support this path to innovation with its R&D funding program aiming to let the vision of a Zero-Emission Aircraft become reality”

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Deutsche Aircraft selected GKN Aerospace for D328eco’s Empennage production. The global Tier 1 aerospace supplier is one of the world’s market leaders in aerostructures and is aligned with Deutsche Aircraft in advanced technologies. 

D328eco is a new 40-seat turbo prop aircraft being developed by Deutsche Aircraft. Based on the proven D328 platform, the D328eco not only inherits the aerodynamic advanced D328 performance, but also will focus on sustainability for both product and production. In the development of D328eco, Deutsche Aircraft looks for reliable and environmentally conscious partners. 

GKN Aerospace is a Tier 1 aerospace supplier serving over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine OEMs, and is market leading in empennages for business and regional aircraft. Deutsche Aircraft will be working with GKN Aerospace on the development of the empennage and the industrialisation of this airframe main assembly which includes the rear fuselage and the vertical- and horizontal tail plane fin. The empennage will feature advanced lightweight solutions involving state-of-the-art composite technology. Working in partnership, both businesses are committed to continuously improve the environmental performance of the platform. 

Deutsche Aircraft commits to deliver significant improvements in operations and maintenance. We are glad to have GKN Aerospace as a partner who aligns on the mission of supporting the success of the aircraft program.

Nico Neumann, Vice President of Operations and Programmes for Deutsche Aircraft said: “The selection of GKN Aerospace with their deep knowledge and long history in advanced composite materials and processes is a perfect fit to the D328eco programme and aligns with the objectives from Deutsche Aircraft.”

John Pritchard, President Civil Airframe GKN Aerospace said: “In the quest for more sustainable and environmentally friendly aviation, we are excited to become part of the D328eco programme. GKN Aerospace is proud to bring its wealth of experience in design and certification, in conjunction with key technological innovations on lightweight composites.” 

Dietmar Czaia, General Manager at GKN Aerospace’s Munich facility, said “We are proud to be a part of the D328eco programme and a part of the German Aerospace ecosystem relaunching this great aircraft. This programme will secure jobs and create future growth for the Munich facility.”

The program, currently in concept design phase, is focused on the maturity of new systems and materials required to support the aircraft industrialisation. The regional aircraft programme continues to be led out of Oberpfaffenhofen airport near Munich and planning work has commenced on establishment of the FAL at Leipzig Halle Airport.

As a key milestone within the D328eco aircraft development program, Deutsche Aircraft is proud to announce it has selected the Garmin® G5000® avionic suite, to equip the brand-new benchmark, Companion™ flight deck: a built-in and fully integrated avionics suite that will be fitted on the new D328eco™ aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft is driving innovation in the overall flight deck design for commercial aircraft. This announcement marks the very first time a new flight deck is fitted into a below 50-seat regional aircraft category since the beginning of the 21st century.

Through the D328eco program, Garmin is opening a new chapter by introducing for the first time an avionics flight deck into a Part 25 air transport, scheduled commercial operation aircraft. 

We are honored to work with the Deutsche Aircraft team to help achieve their mission of providing the D328eco aircraft as a disruptive new entrant into the regional air transportation market,” said Creighton Scarpone, Garmin director of airline and business aviation sales. “The G5000 integrated flight deck, optimized specifically for the D328eco, brings an established solution into the segment, and offers a scalable platform to meet both current and forward-looking needs of operators around the world.”

As main design goals, the new Companion™ flight deck is being developed to offer a cognitive & intuitive operation, with reduced workload, enhanced ergonomics, safety and improved maintainability. To achieve these main design goals, some features and characteristics are being implemented like touchscreen control for avionics and aircraft systems, flight path-based guidance, enhanced synthetic vision, active electronic checklists, increased system automation & integration, single lever engine control and paperless operations capability. 

The implementation of the Garmin avionics into the Companion™ flight deck is one key enabling system towards future Single Pilot Operation capability. 

To enhance safety, an important focus and attention has been given to human factors, increased situational awareness and features like envelope protection, automatic emergency descent mode and runway awareness and alerting. Offering a flexible and configurable maintenance computer, highly integrated built-in testing and diagnostic functions with quick and easy upload and download of data, the Companion™ flight deck will offer unprecedented maintainability. 

“The new Companion™ flight deck has been designed whilst keeping in mind all requirements and expectations of the market allowing a total control of how we have designed it. Its functionalities really make Deutsche Aircraft’s innovative vision a reality.” said Dave Jackson, Managing Director of Deutsche Aircraft. “The new D328eco Companion™ flight deck features a significant leap in enabling pilots to successfully complete their mission, whether it is flying commercial passengers or special operations.” 

The Deutsche Aircraft program, currently in preliminary design review phase, is focused on the maturity of new systems and materials required to support the aircraft design targets and industrialisation. The regional aircraft program continues to be led out of Oberpfaffenhofen airport near Munich and planning work has commenced to establish the final assembly line at Leipzig Halle Airport.

As aviation is fuelled by what we call “derived demand”, aviation is one of the most exposed industries – if not the most exposed – to macroeconomic shocks. Whilst over the last two decades or so our industry has faced multiple external shocks, from terrorist attacks to variable fuel prices and the worldwide financial crisis, <strong>unquestionably Coronavirus has been the ultimate test</strong> that we as an industry have faced over the last 100 years.

The Test Takers

Whilst every aviation sector has faced external pressures due to the very nature of the underlying demand, these external shocks have affected parts of our industry differently. Here at Deutsche Aircraft, we have taken a look at the amount of flying by aircraft types and their numbers in active service and in storage. We’ve grouped aircraft in the following broad groupings:

• Turbo-props
• Regional jets
• Narrow bodies
• Wide bodies

Who did Better in the Test

From the graphs below we can see the widely expected results, namely wide bodies taking most of the brunt as long-haul international travel was effectively stopped, followed by narrow bodies.

As expected, regional aircraft were more sheltered from the chaos – if such a thing exists during the current pandemic.

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How so?

The regional flights enjoy the advantage of more flexible operational deployment. And the fact that many routes require small regional aircraft to fly to provide the essential life line for remote communities. Also, many of these airlines have started to “downgauge” some routes previously flown by narrow-bodies for which the fall in demand doesn’t warrant a larger aircraft anymore.

Crucially, in 2020 it was the turbo-prop sector which saw the smallest fall in in-service fleets and scheduled flights, primarily driven by this category being proportionally the largest contributor of essential air services.

Deutsche Aircraft is proud to be targeting the most resilient segment of the market with our new D328eco aircraft, which will deliver reduced maintenance costs, better performance, modern avionics and many other features to ensure our operators not only stay afloat, but riding the tides of changes to come.

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Get in touch with out team to learn more about Deutsche Aircraft.

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We are proud to present our Aviation Ecosystem Review 2020. Based on market research surrounding our vision of building a sustainable future for aviation, this report provides insight into how we see Deutsche Aircraft fitting into the everchanging aviation environment.

In a significant advancement of its current project, 328 Support Services GmbH (328SSG) and sister company Deutsche Aircraft have appointed Maximilian Fahr as Director Supply Chain. Maximilian is leading the strategic development and growth of all supply chain activities as part of the D328eco™ aircraft development program towards the entry into service.

Maximilian brings with him nearly 20 years of experience from a variety of industries, including aviation. He previously held leadership positions in procurement, quality and project management at Airbus, where he contributed to the development, manufacture and delivery of components for more than 3,000 Airbus aircraft in Europe and Asia. He has also operated his own finance and strategic consultancy firm in Brazil. While working for Airbus, Maximilian spent seven years in Asia. During that time, he was responsible for local procurement and supporting Airbus’s development in the region including working at the A320 Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Tianjin, China.

Moving forward, the team’s primary focus is to ensure the D328eco ™ aircraft’s development progresses per program master plans, budgets and schedules. To that end, Maximilian’s team is responsible for finding suitable partners for the program who can implement future technologies and
capabilities into the D328eco to produce more efficient, economic and environmentally friendly aircraft through establishment of a more sustainable supply chain.

The D328eco is being developed to deliver significant improvements in operational and maintenance costs as well as substantial reductions in overall carbon footprint, in line with Deutsche Aircraft’s vision and strategic roadmap to support a more sustainable future for aviation.

“Aviation is entering a new era and we are very proud to welcome new talent to the team who are going to rewrite the rules,” said Dave Jackson. “We have a lot of challenges ahead, but the team’s dedication and passion for change is an undeniable advantage that will help us push boundaries and propose altogether new solutions to the market.”

The program, currently in Preliminary Design Review phase, is focused on the maturity of new systems and materials required to support the aircraft specification. The regional aircraft program continues to be led out of Oberpfaffenhofen airport near Munich and planning work has commenced on establishment of the FAL at Leipzig Halle Airport.

For media enquiries please contact pressoffice@DeutscheAircraft.com

Deutsche Aircraft, the new purpose-driven German aircraft original equipment manufacturer (OEM), has appointed Nico Neumann to the position of Vice President for Operations and Programmes, where he is now responsible for team enhancement, production, maintenance and overall quality management of the D328eco™ as part of the Regional Aircraft Program. He is also tasked with oversight of the Final Assembly Line (FAL) construction at Leipzig Halle Airport.

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Neumann began his career at 328 Support Services GmbH (328SSG) in 2007 and has held a range of operational positions within the company. Most recently, he was the Director of Maintenance and Production, during which time he coordinated the site selection in Leipzig with the German government. “Nico is an excellent addition to the Deutsche Aircraft senior management team as he possesses a wide array of experience with the Dornier 328 aircraft and deep knowledge of the RAP,” said Managing Director Dave Jackson.

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Nico’s operations team focuses primarily on programme execution, and plays a critical role in operationalising the new FAL including re-establishing all relevant approvals and processes necessary to manufacture the D328eco™ aircraft in Germany.

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Deutsche Aircraft’s new D328eco™ is being developed to deliver significant improvements in operational and maintenance costs as well as reductions in overall carbon footprint in line with the OEM’s vision and strategic road-map to support a more sustainable future for aviation.

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The programme, currently in preliminary design review phase (PDR), is focused on the maturity of new systems and materials required to support the aircraft specification.

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The RAP continues to be led out of Oberpfaffenhofen airport near Munich and planning work has commenced on the establishment of the new FAL at Leipzig Halle Airport.

On Monday, December 7th Deutsche Aircraft hosted an Industry Update webinar to provide information on the D328eco and our ambitions for a Zero Emissions future. You can watch the reply of the webinar below.

You can also find our Press Release here.