Deutsche Aircraft, the manufacturer of the D328eco regional turboprop, has shared a significant milestone in the project, with the start of assembly of the first test aircraft, dubbed the TAC 1.
A released image shows the aircraft’s front and center fuselage on trestles at the company’s facilities in Germany.
According to Deutsche Aircraft, the prototype was manufactured using a precision tool developed specifically for cutting the TAC 1 fuselage and demonstrated the expertise required for the task.
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“We are thrilled to announce the fuselage cut for the D328eco program,” said Nico Neumann, COO of Deutsche Aircraft. “This milestone is a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of our team, which has successfully started the TAC 1 development process. It showcases our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions and enabling early flight testing for the D328eco.”
The D328eco program already has contracts secured for more than 95% of its suppliers, but it is still unclear when the prototype will make its maiden flight.
Deutsche Aircraft recently delayed the aircraft’s expected entry into service until no earlier than Q4 2027.
The D328eco is an enhancement of the Dornier 328 turboprop that entered service in the 1990s and had a turbofan-powered version.
Deutsche Aircraft, however, has expanded its seating capacity to 40 and will use Pratt & Whitney PW127XT-S engines capable of operating on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The aircraft will also feature state-of-the-art avionics generation Garmin G5000 and may feature a Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) variant.
