Deutsche Aircraft NEWS

‍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.

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

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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- 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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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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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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