D328eco By Deutsche Aircraft Deutsche Aircraft used the recently concluded 2025 edition of the Paris Air Show (PAS25) to update the industry on the the D328eco. They primarily announced some new partners on the project namely Aernnova and Garmin. For Aernnova they will be providing the D328eco's empennage while as you will expect Garmin is supplying avionics-related equipment.
If you are asking yourself, the model name D328eco sounds a bit familiar then you wont be wrong. Before this you had the aircraft existing as the Dornier 328 design. However, Deutsche Aircraft is busy trying to modernize this into a significantly more sustainable platform in the 40-seat realm. Part of that sustainable drive with this particular airframe is that the engines a customized version of the Pratt & Whitney PW127XT will in the future be able to run off 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Most aircraft that utilize SAF currently are using it as a blend with regular fuel.
With the new engines and operating on SAF the D328eco will be around 15% more efficient than its predecessor (Dornier 328). The first prototype seen above is expected to work towards its first flight. That according to current timelines is expected in 2026 with certification anticipated for the last quarter of 2027. At the PAS25 Deutsche Aircraft announced Aernnova and Garmin as additional partners to the program.
The composite empennage both the horizontal and vertical stabilizers as well as the metallic tail cone will be provided by the Spanish-based Aernnova. As for Garmin, they will be providing the avionics for the aircraft. The avionics will be based on the G5000 suite. Its application in this type of aircraft is a first for Garmin meaning transport-category Part 25. For more information: Deutsche Aircraft Junkersstrasse 2 82234 Wessling Germany www.deutscheaircraft.com ***
