ACIA Aero Leasing and Deutsche Aircraft collaborate on marketing initiatives for D328 aircraft

Photo Deutsche Aircraft

ACIA Aero Leasing, a leading provider of regional aircraft leasing and lease management services, and German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on marketing the manufacturer’s aircraft. The efforts will focus on the D328 and D328ecoTM 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, ACIA and DA 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 water-bomber and full-passenger aircraft. Therefore, it is well suited for this collaboration between ACIA and DA 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.

Photo Deutsche Aircraft

“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 organizations.”

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.”

Deutsche Aircraft and Sasol ecoFT sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Power-to-Liquid as a Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Deutsche Aircraft and Sasol ecoFT sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance Power-to-Liquid as a Sustainable Aviation Fuel 

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

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 recognised 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 50-seat market, that will achieve near carbon neutrality. The aircraft, which 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.

From a fossil heritage to a sustainable future

"Sasol ecoFT and Deutsche Aircraft stand at the beginning of a decarbonisation 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 Dave Jackson, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft mark key milestone with its D328eco

Deutsche Aircraft confirmed today, it has successfully 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 D328ecoTM aircraft. The landing gear development programme has now officially entered into the detail design phase.

As part of the development programme, Heggemann is building three testbeds for systems engineering bench tests as well as evaluation on the first prototypes for the D328ecoTM. Heggemann will provide the complete landing gear structures and systems of both main- and nose landing gear.

This new landing gear will allow the D328ecoTM to inherit the robustness of its predecessor D328 and will increase operational capabilities towards the higher aircraft operational weight. Furthermore, the new landing gears will support unpaved runway operation, on a variety of rough surfaces such as grass, gravel, ice and sand.  

“We're glad to get Heggemann as a strong business partner with key capabilities, know-how and a great team spirit on board of the D328ecoTM programme. 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 D328ecoTM”, said Nico Neumann, Vice President Operations and Programmes of Deutsche Aircraft.

Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck selected by Deutsche Aircraft for D328eco regional turboprop

Garmin International announced an agreement with Deutsche Aircraft to provide the state-of-the-art Garmin G5000® integrated flight deck for the innovative D328eco Companion flight deck. Deutsche Aircraft is working to develop the new D328eco, which is expected to provide the regional air transportation market a more sustainable and environmentally friendly aircraft option by 2025.

“Deutsche Aircraft is developing the D328eco to be a disruptive new entrant in the regional air transportation segment, and we are proud to work in close coordination with their team to help them bring new technologies to this market,” said Creighton Scarpone, Garmin director of airline and business aviation sales. “Garmin has an established history of supplying innovative, forward-looking avionics technologies to operators across the industry and we are honoured to have been selected to bring our G5000 integrated flight deck into the regional airline market on Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco aircraft.”

“We are thrilled having Garmin join our D328eco programme and offer the first newly designed flight deck for a sub 70 seater regional aircraft in this century,” said Dave Jackson, Deutsche Aircraft managing director. “The new D328eco Companion flight deck, based on Garmin’s G5000 proven capabilities, will set the standards for the future of this segment.”

A new Dornier D328eco coming soon.......

Deutsche Aircraft, the new purpose-driven German aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), today unveiled plans to develop the D328eco, a game-changing platform that will align the future of aviation towards a zero-emission flight objective. 

Deutsche Aircraft is built on the heritage and expertise of 328 Support Services GmbH, the Type certificate holder of the Dornier 328 aircraft (D328®). Together with the participation of the German Government, Deutsche Aircraft will lead the way in a new era of clean aviation through the development of the D328eco platform, a more efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly aircraft.

Deutsche Aircraft to shape the future of aviation as D328eco™ aircraft accelerates transition to zero emissions aircraft

Deutsche Aircraft, the new purpose-driven German aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), today unveiled plans to develop the D328eco, a game-changing platform that will align the future of aviation towards a zero-emission flight objective. 

Deutsche Aircraft is built on the heritage and expertise of 328 Support Services GmbH, the Type certificate holder of the Dornier 328 aircraft (D328®). Together with participation of the German Government, Deutsche Aircraft will lead the way in a new era of clean aviation through the development of the D328eco platform, a more efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly aircraft.