MRO & Manufacturing
General Atomics Do228 NXT Completes Maiden Flight in Germany
GA-ATS completed the maiden flight of the modernized Do228 NXT turboprop in Germany; aircraft to debut at ILA Berlin and Farnborough 2026.

This article is based on an official press release from General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS).
General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) has successfully completed the maiden flight of the Do228 NXT demonstrator, marking a significant milestone in the revival of the iconic turboprop aircraft. According to an official press release from the company, the modernized aircraft took to the skies on May 2, 2026, at the historic Oberpfaffenhofen site in Germany, nearly 45 years after the original Dornier 228 first flew.
Following its successful first flight, the next-generation aircraft is now preparing for its global introduction. GA-ATS announced that the Do228 NXT will make its first public trade show appearance at the ILA Berlin Air Show from June 10 to 14, 2026. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft will make its international debut in the United Kingdom at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2026.
We note that this development represents a major step for European aerospace manufacturing. By bringing a proven 1980s airframe into the 21st century with state-of-the-art avionics and updated production methods, GA-ATS is positioning the Do228 NXT to meet growing global demand for versatile, multi-mission aircraft capable of operating in harsh environments.
The Revival of a Legacy Platform
Historical Context and Acquisition
The original Dornier 228 was developed in the early 1980s as a twin-engine, short takeoff and landing (STOL) utility aircraft. Historical production data provided in the company’s background materials indicates that approximately 245 units were built in Germany, with an additional 125 manufactured under license in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The aircraft program changed hands several times over the decades before the US-based General Atomics Group acquired the Oberpfaffenhofen production site in early 2021.
Over the past five years, GA-ATS states it has established a new production line, expanded its supplier networks, and brought key manufacturing components, such as the wings, in-house to restart series production of the modernized Do228 NXT.
The Maiden Flight and Testing Phase
The demonstrator’s maiden flight on May 2, 2026, initiated a rigorous flight test campaign. Over the coming weeks, the company reports that the aircraft will execute various flight patterns, takeoffs, and landings to collect performance data across different altitudes and speeds.
In the official press release, Martina Hierle, Test Pilot and Program Manager at GA-ATS, highlighted the success of the initial flight:
“Taking the Do228 NXT into the air for the first time was an extraordinary experience. The aircraft performed flawlessly. You can immediately sense what this aircraft is capable of and that the Do228 NXT is ready for demanding missions around the world.”
Technical Specifications and Modernization
Avionics and Propulsion
The Do228 NXT is positioned as a highly adaptable multi-role platform, heavily upgraded from its predecessor. According to the manufacturer’s specifications, the cockpit is now equipped with a Universal EFI-890R Integrated Glass Cockpit. This system features four large, sunlight-readable high-definition displays, which serve as Primary Flight Displays and Multi-Function Displays to enhance situational awareness and reduce pilot workload. Propulsion is provided by two Honeywell TPE331-10 engines paired with 5-blade MTV-27 propellers.
Mission Versatility and Manufacturing
Retaining the exceptional STOL capabilities of the original design, the Do228 NXT can operate from unpaved, short, or remote runways. GA-ATS notes that the rectangular cabin can be quickly reconfigured to accommodate up to 19 passengers, cargo transport, medical evacuation (medevac), border patrol, or maritime surveillance.
For extended operations, the company offers optional wet wing tanks that can push the aircraft’s flight endurance beyond 10 hours. Furthermore, GA-ATS has introduced modern production methods, including tartaric sulfuric acid anodizing (TSAA). This new surface treatment is designed to significantly improve corrosion protection, a critical feature for operations in harsh climates.
Upcoming Trade Fair Debuts
ILA Berlin and Farnborough
The Do228 NXT will be officially unveiled to the global public at the ILA Berlin aerospace trade show, held at BER Airport from June 10 to 14, 2026. Industry data notes that the event will host 750 exhibitors from 37 countries. Following Berlin, the aircraft will travel to the Farnborough International Airshow from July 20 to 24, 2026, to target international buyers.
Craig Simpson, Managing Director of GA-ATS, emphasized the importance of these upcoming debuts in the company’s statement:
“The first flight of the NXT demonstrator is the culmination of years of dedicated work across all departments… The Do228 NXT is not just an upgrade – it is our answer to the demands of modern aviation, and we are proud to bring it to market. We want to show the aircraft and its features to the world, as there is widespread international interest in the Do228 NXT.”
AirPro News analysis
The successful revival of the Do228 program highlights a broader strategic push to maintain and strengthen sovereign industrial manufacturing capabilities within Germany and Europe. We observe that the aviation industry is increasingly recognizing the value of taking aerodynamically proven, rugged legacy airframes and retrofitting them with 21st-century avionics and sustainable manufacturing processes. This approach significantly reduces development costs while delivering highly reliable aircraft to the market.
Furthermore, GA-ATS appears to be strategically targeting regions with harsh operational climates, such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The aircraft’s enhanced corrosion protection, combined with its STOL capabilities and flexible payload options, makes it a highly attractive platform for regional operators and military forces operating in austere environments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Do228 NXT?
The Do228 NXT is a modernized, next-generation version of the classic Dornier 228 turboprop aircraft, manufactured by General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) in Germany. It features updated avionics, modern manufacturing processes, and versatile multi-mission capabilities.
When did the Do228 NXT make its first flight?
The Do228 NXT demonstrator successfully completed its maiden flight on May 2, 2026, at the Oberpfaffenhofen site in Germany.
Where will the Do228 NXT be exhibited in 2026?
The aircraft will make its public trade show debut at the ILA Berlin Air Show from June 10–14, 2026, followed by its international debut at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK from July 20–24, 2026.
Sources
MRO & Manufacturing
Liebherr-Aerospace Opens Sydney Office for Australasian Customers
Liebherr-Aerospace has opened a representative office in Sydney to serve Australia and New Zealand ahead of major Qantas fleet programs.

Liebherr-Aerospace has opened a representative office in Sydney to serve customers across Australia and New Zealand, as the Australian market prepares for major fleet programs including Qantas Group’s Project Sunrise. The office sits within the Liebherr Group’s existing facility in Pyrmont, New South Wales.
The company announced the opening in a press release dated November 5, 2026. It said the office will strengthen existing relationships, build new local ones and improve customer services in a region where aviation is undergoing significant fleet renewal and investment.
Why Australia and New Zealand
Liebherr-Aerospace described Australia and New Zealand as important markets for both commercial aviation and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities. The release ties the timing to three fleet programs in the Australian market: Project Sunrise with the Airbus A350-1000ULR, the introduction of the Airbus A321XLR and the modernization of the regional fleet of Qantas Airways (QF).
Joël Cadaux, Asia-Pacific Regional Head for the Aerospace & Transportation Division, said: “We are very pleased to be closer to our customers in Australia and New Zealand.” Andrew Schultz, Managing Director of Liebherr-Australia Pty Ltd, welcomed the division to the group’s Sydney facility. Liebherr-Australia has provided machinery, services and technical support across Australia since 1981.
How the office fits the Liebherr-Aerospace network
Liebherr-Aerospace supplies flight control and actuation systems, landing gear, air management systems, and gears, gearboxes and electronics for civil and military aircraft and helicopters. Its centers of excellence include Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH in Germany, for flight control, actuation, gears, gearboxes and landing gear systems, and Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS in France, for air management systems. The Lindenberg company, founded in 1960, employs 3,490 people.
The Sydney office follows a similar regional step in India. In February 2019, Liebherr-Aerospace opened a larger regional office in Bangalore to support Indian operators, manufacturers and suppliers and to coordinate projects with Lindenberg and Toulouse. At the time, its customer service network also included centers in Singapore and Shanghai.
The company’s recent MRO work in the wider region includes China Airlines’ A350 nose landing gear contract, served through an asset exchange in Singapore. In Europe, it opened a heat transfer equipment center in France in October 2026.
Liebherr-Aerospace did not disclose how many people will work at the Sydney office.
MRO & Manufacturing
Fly Across Installs First Honeywell Ensemble System in Latin America
Fly Across fitted Honeywell’s Ensemble engine monitoring system to an Embraer Praetor 500, the first Ensemble installation in Latin America.

Fly Across, Honeywell Aerospace’s authorized channel partner for HTF7000-series engines in Mexico, has installed Honeywell’s Ensemble engine monitoring system on an Embraer Praetor 500, the first Ensemble installation in Latin America. Honeywell Aerospace field service technicians supported the work, the company said.
In a press release dated November 5, 2026, Honeywell Aerospace said the milestone expands local access to its connected engine capabilities and shows that Fly Across can support business aviation operators in Mexico and across Latin America. For operators in the region, a local installer matters: Duncan Aviation, a maintenance provider that installs the same hardware, states on a May 2025 page that Honeywell’s Engine Maintenance Service Plan (MSP) and MSP Gold programs now require the EDG-100 gateway to be installed at contract initiation, renewal or transfer.
How Ensemble collects engine data
Ensemble uses an aircraft-mounted Engine Data Gateway, the EDG-100, to automate the collection of engine data and send it wirelessly, according to Honeywell. The data is transmitted over Wi-Fi for analysis when the aircraft is on the ground, which Honeywell says gives operators timelier insight into engine performance and helps maintenance teams spot developing issues before they disrupt operations.
When it launched the service in October 2024, Honeywell said the gateway sends engine data over a secure protocol to Honeywell Forge, its cloud-based analytics platform, where operators can view insights and alerts through the Forge Engine Data Viewer and the Ensemble mobile application. Duncan Aviation states that the data moves wirelessly from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to Honeywell Forge and to CAMP, and Honeywell’s Ensemble page says Honeywell Aerospace and CAMP Systems International extended their engine health monitoring agreement through 2036.
The service also takes over paperwork. Honeywell said in 2024 that Ensemble automates mandated data reporting that previously required manual entry, and that its data calculates the monthly rebate customers can earn under the usage-based feature of the MSP. In an October 21, 2024, article, Honeywell stated that a typical operator could save up to $20,000 a year through usage-based MSP, depending on flight hours, fleet size and other factors.
Honeywell has also described what earlier detection can look like. In a March 30, 2025, article, the company recounted an in-service case in which a business aircraft without Ensemble had a compressor surge on one engine during the takeoff run, the takeoff was rejected, and inspection found that abradable material had detached from the compressor shroud. Honeywell systems engineer Chris Hickenbottom said, “The missing abradable caused a recognizable pattern in temperature, speed, fuel flow.” He said that pattern was detectable five flights before the rejected takeoff.
What the installation means for operators in Mexico
Taylor Alberstadt, vice president of business and general aviation sales at Honeywell Aerospace, linked the installation to growing demand in Latin America for connected, data-driven predictive maintenance. He said it brings engine technology and local technical support closer to operators, cutting the time they spend collecting engine data by hand and giving maintenance teams information for more proactive scheduling.
“Completing the first Ensemble installation in Latin America demonstrates the technical capability of our team,” said Javier Gonzalez, CEO of Fly Across. He said the installation and testing were completed on schedule and that the experience will help the company support future installations across Mexico and the region.
Honeywell said the project builds on Fly Across’s appointment as an authorized channel partner, which the release describes as recent, and that it expects the experience to streamline future Ensemble installations. Its field support is available remotely and onsite as needed.
Ensemble is designed for aircraft powered by HTF7000-series engines, including the Embraer Praetor 500 and Praetor 600, Honeywell said, and it is free for eligible operators enrolled in the MSP or MSP Gold programs. Duncan Aviation lists the gateway installation for the Praetor 500, type designation EMB-545 with AS907-3-1E/HTF7500E engines, under Supplemental Type Certificate STC-02816LA, and says downtime for the installation is minimal.
Where Ensemble stands two years after launch
Honeywell introduced Ensemble in October 2024, describing it as the first end-to-end digital maintenance solution for its business jet turbofan engines and offering it through its propulsion MSP. At launch, the service was available for the Bombardier Challenger 300, 350 and 3500, the Textron Longitude and Embraer’s Legacy and Praetor models, and Honeywell said it would expand in 2025 to other aircraft, including the Dassault Falcon 900A/B.
Aviation Week reported on October 13, 2025, that Honeywell reported growing Ensemble subscriptions a year after the debut, from operators of HTF7000-powered Challenger 300, 350 and 3500 jets, Textron’s Citation Longitude and Embraer’s Praetor models. Honeywell’s November 5 release does not say how many aircraft are now equipped.
The HTF7000 family has logged more than 12 million flight hours, according to Honeywell, with takeoff thrust of 6500 to 7500 lbf. Its applications include the Challenger 300 and 350, the Citation Longitude, the Embraer Legacy 450/500 and Praetor 500/600 and the Gulfstream G280, backed by a network of more than 22 service centers. Support for the engine family has featured in earlier AirPro News coverage, including Honeywell’s HTF7000 contract with Flexjet.
Honeywell Aerospace, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, describes itself as an independent global aerospace and defense company and trades on Nasdaq under the ticker HONA. It says it employs more than 36,000 people and supports more than 10,000 customers.
In October 2017, Signature Flight Support signed a licensing agreement with Fly Across to brand a new fixed-base operator (FBO) at Toluca International Airport (TLC), which Signature described as Mexico City’s closest business and general aviation airport. That facility included a 50,000 sq. ft. hangar.
MRO & Manufacturing
Air Europa Extends Collins Aerospace 787 Nacelle Deal to 2037
Air Europa has extended its exclusive Boeing 787 nacelle maintenance agreement with RTX’s Collins Aerospace through 2037.

Air Europa has extended its exclusive Boeing 787 nacelle maintenance agreement with Collins Aerospace through 2037, and is changing how the work is delivered: nacelles will be staged at the airline’s main base and backed by a forward exchange solution, part of a proactive approach the airline is adopting as its 787 fleet matures.
RTX, the parent company of Collins Aerospace, announced the renewal in a press release dated October 28, 2026, from Amsterdam. According to the release, the program covers thrust reverser and nacelle services and supports the airline’s long-term fleet strategy by improving operational reliability, maintenance planning and cost management. Neither company disclosed the value of the extension.
What changes in the service structure
The release describes the renewal as a shift to a proactive approach as Air Europa’s 787 fleet matures. It is meant to provide rapid nacelle support for aircraft-on-ground (AOG) events and to allow predictable shop visit planning, which RTX said reduces unscheduled downtime and strengthens fleet readiness.
According to RTX, the updated service structure reduces costs for nacelle maintenance, transportation and leasing. Staging nacelles at the airline’s main base and using a forward exchange solution is intended to improve part availability, simplify planning and support budget management. The release does not say how many nacelles or spare units will be held at the base, or which Collins repair stations will handle the shop work.
“We continue to collaborate with Air Europa to align nacelle support with its long-term fleet strategy,” said PJ Titone, vice president and general manager, Aerostructures at Collins Aerospace. Titone said Collins brings technical expertise and global repair capacity, and that its nacelle expertise and flexible aftermarket support help customers get parts faster and avoid disruptions.
Pedro Macías, Chief Technical Officer of Air Europa, framed the decision around “Extending our relationship with Collins Aerospace for the next decade.” He said the renewal will improve daily operations, parts availability, shop turnaround management and budget accuracy.
Where the 2026 renewal fits in a longer contract history
The October 2026 announcement is the latest step in a relationship that Collins has described before. In a press release dated April 10, 2019, Collins said Air Europa had chosen it for ten years of exclusive nacelle maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) support for the Boeing 787, including lease and exchange services. That deal, Collins said at the time, extended a 10-year agreement already in place, and Collins would also keep supporting the Airbus A330, Boeing 737, ATR 72 and Embraer E-195 operated by Air Europa and Air Europa Express.
In the 2019 release, Collins described Air Europa as the third largest airline in Spain, with 58 aircraft, and said the airline expected to grow its fleet and receive more Boeing 787s, which the agreement would cover. Collins also said it is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of all nacelles on Air Europa’s fleet, so it can apply its technical knowledge to the maintenance, repair and overhaul work.
The 2019 agreement named two Collins service centers for the work, in Prestwick, Scotland, and Toulouse, France, which together offered about 300,000 square feet of shop floor space. Collins said then that its global MRO network included eight facilities with more than 1.2 million square feet of MRO shop space. “Our focus is on perfecting the customer experience, and Air Europa’s decision to entrust us with another decade of its service needs tells us that we’re succeeding in that mission,” Marc Duvall, president of Aerostructures for Collins Aerospace, said in that release.
Nacelle aftermarket work has featured in other recent Collins agreements covered by AirPro News, including its nacelle MRO joint venture with Etihad Engineering and the nacelle tooling license renewal with Dedienne Aerospace.
The 787 fleet the agreement covers
AirPro Atlas flight data give a view of the Dreamliners involved. Since October 9, 2026, the AirPro Atlas has recorded 18 Boeing 787-9s and 9 Boeing 787-8s flying with Air Europa (UX), a SkyTeam member founded in 1986. The figures reflect aircraft seen flying in that period, not a registered fleet count.
Collins Aerospace is an RTX business whose products span avionics, aircraft interiors, aerostructures, engine components, mission systems, and power and control systems. RTX, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, said it has more than 180,000 employees worldwide and reported 2025 sales of more than $88 billion.
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