AvCraft will build the wing of the Dornier 328Jet at its facility in Oberphaffenhofen, Germany, with the long-term aim of increasing production of the aircraft.

Wolfgang Walter, md of the German facility, said: “Former Dornier aircraft engineers will commence work on wing production using new tooling to be provided by EDAG Engineering and Design, based in Fulda, Germany.”

EDAG is an engineering

company specialising in complete project development for the automotive industry.

The 32-seat 328Jet has been designed as a regional and executive jet and also as a special missions aircraft for government operation.

AvCraft ceo Ben Bartel comm-ented on the company’s decision to source its tooling from EDAG. “After studying a number of options, we determined that there was insufficient life left in the former tooling in San Antonio, Texas,” he said. “The new tooling will save us time and costs in the long run.”

The company is hoping that the decision to build the wing in-house will increase production of the aircraft in the long term.

“We would like to gradually increase the production rate to satisfy the growing demand we see from both airlines and corporate users,” Bartel added.

Completion of the first new

build 328Jet is expected by the

fourth quarter of this year, while

work is advancing on five partially finished aircraft.

Avcraft received the final transfer of the type and production certificates for the 328Jet last

year, having purchased the assets

of the Fairchild Dornier 328 turboprop from Fairchild’s receivers in December 2002.