As a milestone within the D328eco aircraft development programme, Deutsche Aircraft has concluded the first series of tests at the facilities of the Germany-based partner Heggemann on the new landing gear, currently in development to be fitted onto the D328eco aircraft. The landing gear development programme has now officially entered into the detail design phase.

As part of the programme, Heggemann is building three testbeds for systems engineering bench tests as well as evaluation on first prototypes for the D328eco. Heggemann will provide the complete landing gear structures and systems of both main and nose landing gear.

This landing gear will allow the D328eco to benefit from the robustness of its predecessor, the D328, and will increase operational capabilities towards the higher aircraft operational weight. They will also support unpaved runway operation on a variety of rough surfaces such as grass, gravel, ice and sand.

“We are glad to have Heggemann as a strong business partner with key capabilities, know-how and a great team spirit on board of the D328eco programme,” says Nico Neumann, VP of operations and programmes of Deutsche Aircraft. “We are confident that Heggemann is the right partner to industrialise and produce our landing gear, which is a key element of the versatility, mission flexibility and performance of the D328eco.”

Deutsche's partnership with Heggemann is not only built upon strong past collaborations, but is also further strengthened by the two companies sharing similar visions. Both are dedicated to sustainable and efficient Industry 4.0 manufacturing. While Deutsche is planning to build a final assembly line in Leipzig, Heggemann has already implemented a fully digital 360 degree end-to-end process and product lifecycle tracking system. Both companies keep the majority of production in Germany and benefit from experienced aviation talents in building Germany's next regional aircraft.

“We are delighted to join effort on this exciting new D328eco programme, which is being developed at an opportune time where the world is more and more opening to air travel, sometime without the possibility to offer proper runways to land or infrastructure to support the aircraft and crew,” adds Robert Heggemann, CEO and founder of Heggemann. “Being highly flexible, with short runway performances, the D328eco aircraft plays in a class of its own, and the current work on the landing gear will increase the reach of destinations' possibilities. Besides, working with Deutsche Aircraft is further supporting the development of collaborative opportunities within the local supply chain while supporting the growth of the German aviation's industry.”

The Deutsche Aircraft programme, currently in concept design phase, is focused on the specification of the new systems, qualification of materials and new production process to align with today standards and secure efficiency for the industrialisation. The regional aircraft programme continues to be led out of Oberpfaffenhofen airport near Munich, and planning work has commenced to establish the final assembly line at Leipzig Halle airport.