Still Soaring After 32 Years: Looking Back on the Dornier 328's Pioneering Flight

Still Soaring After 32 Years: Looking Back on the Dornier 328's Pioneering Flight - From Drawing Board to Runway - The 328's Development

The Dornier 328 first took to the skies in December 1991, but its journey from drawing board to runway was years in the making. Development of the 328 can be traced back to the early 1980s, when German aerospace company Dornier began exploring the concept of a new 30-seat commuter aircraft.

At the time, the 19-seat Dornier 228 was Dornier's primary regional airliner. However, airlines were seeking a slightly larger aircraft that could economically serve short-haul routes. Dornier saw an opportunity to leverage its expertise in building robust and reliable turboprops to create the perfect next-generation commuter plane.

After establishing performance targets and commissioning several feasibility studies, formal development of the Dornier 328 commenced in January 1985. With airframe construction led by Dornier and engines provided by Pratt & Whitney Canada, the 328 was designed for optimal efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort on trips up to 400 nautical miles.

To streamline the design process, Dornier utilized 3D CAD software and leveraged computer simulations for aerodynamic testing. This represented a significant advancement over earlier techniques and helped accelerate the 328's journey to production.

By 1988, major structural and systems testing was underway. The 328's first flight took place on December 6, 1991, piloted by Dornier test pilots Paul Weiser and Thomas Aicher. During 102 minutes aloft over Bavaria, the prototype 328 proved the soundness of its design by cruising at 300 knots and reaching an altitude of 31,000 ft.

Still Soaring After 32 Years: Looking Back on the Dornier 328's Pioneering Flight - A Regional Revolution - Filling a Niche for Short Haul Flights

Still Soaring After 32 Years: Looking Back on the Dornier 328's Pioneering Flight - Versatile Variants - The Many Models of the 328

Still Soaring After 32 Years: Looking Back on the Dornier 328's Pioneering Flight - Operators Around the Globe - Airlines That Flew the 328

Still Soaring After 32 Years: Looking Back on the Dornier 328's Pioneering Flight - A Smooth and Speedy Ride - The 328's Performance

Still Soaring After 32 Years: Looking Back on the Dornier 328's Pioneering Flight - Phasing Out the Prop - The 328's Transition to Jets

Still Soaring After 32 Years: Looking Back on the Dornier 328's Pioneering Flight - Still Flying Today - Where You Can Find the 328 Now

Though no longer in production, the Dornier 328 remains a common sight at airports around the world over 30 years after its first flight. A testament to the 328's versatility and operational economics, more than 270 of these turboprops were built and delivered to over 30 operators globally. Even in the age of regional jets, the 328 continues to soldier on as a reliable workhorse on short hops.

One of the largest current 328 operators is Japan Air Commuter, a regional airline that flies scheduled passenger services and charters within Japan. The carrier operates a fleet of over 30 328s configured with 30 or 33 seats. These aircraft primarily connect smaller Japanese cities to Tokyo and Osaka. On a visit to Japan, spotting a JAC 328 shuttling between Hakodate and the capital is not uncommon.

In North America, you can still experience the 328 with Sun Air out of Denver and San Juan Airlines in Puerto Rico. These niche carriers utilize the 328 to economically serve their island networks. The airplane provides needed capacity while maintaining the ability to operate from short runways.

Across Europe, a handful of smaller carriers continue relying on the 328 as the ideal aircraft for thin routes. Air Urga flies a fleet of five 328s within Ukraine providing a quick option for domestic travel that road journeys cannot match. Over in Denmark, Danish Air Transport utilizes its quartet of 328s to link underserved markets across northern Europe that offer little demand for larger planes.

One unique operator is Turkey's Freebird Airlines whose four 328s have been converted into VIP corporate shuttles. With just 19 premium seats, the aircraft appeals to executives needing to crisscross Turkey efficiently. The 328's rugged dependability makes it a favorite of cargo airlines as well. In Alaska, Northern Air Cargo's fleet helps bypass the state's limited road network. And in Tunisia, Karthago Airlines' 328s transport everything from oil rig supplies to textiles manufactured for European distribution.

Then there are the many 328s still earning their keep offering ad hoc charter service. These aircraft slot in wherever needed, whether shuttling tourists to beach resorts or supporting corporate functions. Lufthansa's Lufthansa CityLine employs its 328s in such a role across Germany and neighboring countries.

Of course, the workhorse 328 also continues to support military applications. The United States Air Force operates four variants for navigation training. And in Southeast Asia, the Myanmar Air Force depends on Chinese-delivered 328s to supplement its transport fleet.

Still Soaring After 32 Years: Looking Back on the Dornier 328's Pioneering Flight - An Engineering Legacy - The 328's Impact on Aviation

At its core, the 328 exemplified how computing power could transform aircraft development. The extensive use of computer-aided design (CAD) enabled Dornier to refine the 328's aerodynamics and structure in a virtual environment first. This facilitated rapid design iteration and fine-tuning prior to physical prototyping. Such simulation techniques have now become standard across the industry.

The 328 also pioneered the use of 3D CAD to directly coordinate manufacturing. Components were machined precisely based on digital models prior to assembly, reducing costly rework. This aided the 328's on-time entry into service with exceptional reliability from day one. Only computer-integrated manufacturing could achieve such production efficiency.

In operation, the 328 underscored the importance of advanced turboprop engines for efficiency. Its Pratt & Whitney powerplants struck an optimal balance between propulsive power and fuel economy. That concept has driven recent fresh looks at modern propulsion, especially given ballooning fuel costs.

The airplane's extensive use of composite materials was also forward-looking. Components like the 328's wings, tail and fuselage panels incorporated advanced composites for lightness and strength. Such mixes of composites and metals have since become ubiquitous as manufacturing techniques have progressed.

Cockpit automation represented another success story. The 328 introduced one of the first digital automatic flight control systems in a regional airliner. This improved ease of flying, lowered pilot workload and enhanced safety. These gains previewed the coming revolution in digital avionics and fly-by-wire.

In many ways, the innovative 328 served as a bridge to the regional jets that followed while preserving the inherent benefits of turboprop propulsion. It found the right blend of new technologies and practical configuration. As an early adopter, the airplane kickstarted multiple ongoing evolutions that continue paying dividends.