Deutsche Aircraft Highlights Sustainable Aviation Progress and D328eco® Momentum at ILA Berlin 2026

Berlin, Germany, 12 June 2026 – At ILA Berlin 2026, Deutsche Aircraft showcases its continued progress in sustainable regional aviation, highlighting the research driven achievements supporting the development and industrialisation of the next generation D328eco® turboprop.

The company’s presence underscores its long term contribution to Germany’s climate compatible aviation research landscape, including activities supported under the LuFo Klima programme.

Research Based Progress Towards Climate Compatible Regional Aviation

Over recent years, Deutsche Aircraft has focused its research and validation activities on propulsion, fuels, structures and noise, establishing a consistent, evidence based approach to advancing climate compatible aviation solutions.

At ILA Berlin 2026, the company demonstrates how applied research is delivering measurable and verifiable impact in support of the D328eco’s industrial objectives:

• Clean Combustion & SAF Readiness: Demonstrated operation with 100% synthetic, zero aromatic fuel, combined with ongoing cooperation with Pratt & Whitney Canada to advance Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) compatibility – supporting a sustainable entry into service and reinforcing Germany’s leadership in clean fuel research.

• Advanced Testing: Extensive structural and vibration testing campaigns provide high fidelity data to improve structural modelling accuracy and enable seamless systems integration.

• Acoustic Optimisation: Precision modelling and flight test data are used to develop a noise certification strategy targeting performance beyond current regulatory requirements for regional turboprop aircraft.

This integration of national research programmes with industrial aircraft development reflects Deutsche Aircraft’s long standing commitment to reliable and certifiable innovation.

Making Research Capability Visible

As part of its static display at ILA Berlin 2026, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) presents the D328 UpLift research aircraft in its current configuration, illustrating the instrumentation and systems infrastructure used for ongoing validation trials.

The aircraft features a preliminary research cabin and visible external measurement equipment, including a nose mounted air data boom. These elements demonstrate how aerodynamic, environmental and systems data are gathered during flight test and research campaigns, offering visitors direct insight into the technical foundation supporting the development of future regional aircraft.

Partnerships Strengthen the Aviation Value Chain

Deutsche Aircraft works closely with DLR and key industry partners to reinforce Germany’s role across the global sustainable aviation value chain – from research and validation to industrial execution.

A highlight of this collaboration is the UpLift-D328-Simulator, presented by DLR at the show. The simulator serves as a ground based virtual testing environment supporting flight test preparation, mission planning and systems integration activities. It enables the evaluation of research missions and pilot training concepts in a virtual setting, contributing to risk reduction and efficient development within Germany’s aviation research ecosystem.

“ILA Berlin 2026 gives us the opportunity to demonstrate how research excellence, strong partnerships and a clear industrial roadmap come together to advance sustainable regional aviation,” said Fredric Fischer, Director Roadmap & Innovation at Deutsche Aircraft.

“Our focus is on turning validated research into reliable, certifiable aircraft solutions,” added Lars Brandt, R&T Programme Manager at Deutsche Aircraft. “At ILA 2026, we show how flight test data, structural validation and fuel compatibility research are systematically integrated into the D328eco programme to support on time, industrial ready development.”

By showcasing the technical foundation of the D328eco, Deutsche Aircraft strengthens Germany’s aviation research ecosystem and continues to mature the technologies required to bring a climate compatible regional aircraft to the global market.

For media enquiries, please contact pressoffice@deutscheaircraft.com

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Building the future of flight

Deutsche Aircraft Highlights Sustainable Aviation Progress and D328eco® Momentum at ILA Berlin 2026

June 12, 2026
Deutsche Aircraft Highlights Sustainable Aviation Progress and D328eco® Momentum at ILA Berlin 2026

Berlin, Germany, 12 June 2026 – At ILA Berlin 2026, Deutsche Aircraft showcases its continued progress in sustainable regional aviation, highlighting the research driven achievements supporting the development and industrialisation of the next generation D328eco® turboprop.

The company’s presence underscores its long term contribution to Germany’s climate compatible aviation research landscape, including activities supported under the LuFo Klima programme.

Research Based Progress Towards Climate Compatible Regional Aviation

Over recent years, Deutsche Aircraft has focused its research and validation activities on propulsion, fuels, structures and noise, establishing a consistent, evidence based approach to advancing climate compatible aviation solutions.

At ILA Berlin 2026, the company demonstrates how applied research is delivering measurable and verifiable impact in support of the D328eco’s industrial objectives:

• Clean Combustion & SAF Readiness: Demonstrated operation with 100% synthetic, zero aromatic fuel, combined with ongoing cooperation with Pratt & Whitney Canada to advance Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) compatibility – supporting a sustainable entry into service and reinforcing Germany’s leadership in clean fuel research.

• Advanced Testing: Extensive structural and vibration testing campaigns provide high fidelity data to improve structural modelling accuracy and enable seamless systems integration.

• Acoustic Optimisation: Precision modelling and flight test data are used to develop a noise certification strategy targeting performance beyond current regulatory requirements for regional turboprop aircraft.

This integration of national research programmes with industrial aircraft development reflects Deutsche Aircraft’s long standing commitment to reliable and certifiable innovation.

Making Research Capability Visible

As part of its static display at ILA Berlin 2026, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) presents the D328 UpLift research aircraft in its current configuration, illustrating the instrumentation and systems infrastructure used for ongoing validation trials.

The aircraft features a preliminary research cabin and visible external measurement equipment, including a nose mounted air data boom. These elements demonstrate how aerodynamic, environmental and systems data are gathered during flight test and research campaigns, offering visitors direct insight into the technical foundation supporting the development of future regional aircraft.

Partnerships Strengthen the Aviation Value Chain

Deutsche Aircraft works closely with DLR and key industry partners to reinforce Germany’s role across the global sustainable aviation value chain – from research and validation to industrial execution.

A highlight of this collaboration is the UpLift-D328-Simulator, presented by DLR at the show. The simulator serves as a ground based virtual testing environment supporting flight test preparation, mission planning and systems integration activities. It enables the evaluation of research missions and pilot training concepts in a virtual setting, contributing to risk reduction and efficient development within Germany’s aviation research ecosystem.

“ILA Berlin 2026 gives us the opportunity to demonstrate how research excellence, strong partnerships and a clear industrial roadmap come together to advance sustainable regional aviation,” said Fredric Fischer, Director Roadmap & Innovation at Deutsche Aircraft.

“Our focus is on turning validated research into reliable, certifiable aircraft solutions,” added Lars Brandt, R&T Programme Manager at Deutsche Aircraft. “At ILA 2026, we show how flight test data, structural validation and fuel compatibility research are systematically integrated into the D328eco programme to support on time, industrial ready development.”

By showcasing the technical foundation of the D328eco, Deutsche Aircraft strengthens Germany’s aviation research ecosystem and continues to mature the technologies required to bring a climate compatible regional aircraft to the global market.

About the data:
- Source: Cirium
- Schedules data: full year 2019 vs. 2020 – excludes non-scheduled flying
- In-service data:
- For 2019 the data is dated April while for 2020 it’s dated October. We wanted to compare “shoulder month” to shoulder month, however April 2020 wouldn’t have captured the immediate impact of Coronavirus as our dataset classes aircraft as in storage after 3 months of inactivity.

DA Aviation Ecosystem Review

We are proud to present, “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.

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Welcome: New Leadership Onboard

Nico Neumann Deutsche Aircraft

Nico’s responsibilities as Vice President of Operations & Programs include development of aircraft production programs, maintenance, overall quality management and ensuring infrastructure and knowledge are in place to meet future needs.

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As Director of Supply Chain, Maximilian’s role is to lead development and growth of all supply chain activities under a consolidated strategy.

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DA Latest News in a Nutshell

New talent appointed to strengthen the Deutsche aircraft programme

As part of its continued support of Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco aircraft programme, 328 Support Services GmbH recently appointed a panel of “talent experts” to further strengthen the overall team and ensure strong management structure and processes are in place across the D328eco development programme. Today we focus on the Engineering & Programme departments.

On the programme side, Mr. Peter Spyrka has been appointed Director of Programmes. Peter brings over 20 years’ experience in the global aerospace industry with engineering & development works on both civil and military aircraft programmes. Prior to joining Deutsche Aircraft, Peter worked at Airbus, leading the Hybrid Electric Propulsion System development programme for demonstrator projects. He also worked for Fairchild Dornier back in the late 1990’s.

In Engineering, Mr. Jean-Damien Mazeau has been appointed as our new Head of Propulsion Systems. Jean-Damien also brings more than 20 years’ aeronautical experience to Deutsche Aircraft, having built most of his career at Airbus. He was most recently involved with the A320neo’s entry into service, in charge of propulsion system’s global technical Support.

Last but not least, Dr. Stefan Brunner brings more than two decades of expertise and experience to his position as Head of Airframe. Throughout his career, Stefan spent more than 17 years working directly for the Airbus group where he was heavily involved with a wide variety of major engineering programmes on both commercial aviation and defence & space programmes. In his new role, Stefan will be responsible for design, analysis and modification of the D328eco airframe’s primary structure (Fuselage, Fairings, Wing, Empennage), as well as establishing new processes and procedures to complete aircraft development. Finally, he is responsible for ensuring compliance with the European Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations.

In addition to Peter, Jean Damien and Stefan, we are also proud to announce that we have been busy hiring new talent from not only within Germany, but from all over the world. Coming from a variety of companies within the aerospace industry, we look forward to utilising our new team members’ skills and expertise to achieve the entry into service scheduled for 2025.

All are great assets to the current Engineering & Programme team and will, without a doubt, help support Deutsche Aircraft’s development programme over the coming years.

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