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.