Deutsche Aircraft Completes D328eco Landing Gear Flight Tests

Deutsche Aircraft has completed the initial Test-Flights phase for its new landing gear system, logging five development flights and over 15 hours of combined ground and flight testing on a legacy D328 testbed.

Announced in a September 8, 2026, press release, the milestone follows the successful execution of Low-Speed Taxi (LST) and High-Speed Taxi (HST) evaluations at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Wessling, Germany. The testing campaign, which commenced on August 5, 2026, serves as a critical certification step for the upcoming D328eco, a 40-seat regional turboprop designed for up to 100 percent SAF compatibility.

Strategic shift in engineering authority

The landing gear certification program represents a broader strategic shift for Deutsche Aircraft. The Original Equipment OEM recently transitioned to a new landing gear supplier and acquired the full Intellectual Property (IP) rights for the system. This move transfers engineering authority directly to Deutsche Aircraft, reducing reliance on third-party suppliers.

By bringing the system under direct engineering control, the manufacturer aims to eliminate supply chain bottlenecks and ensure long-term spare parts availability. The new landing gear architecture will be harmonized across both the legacy D328 fleet and the new D328eco Commercial-Aircraft.

“The results provide strong validation of the landing gear system and enable us to move into the next phase of flight testing as we continue the Certification process. Bringing this critical system under our direct control allows us to deliver greater reliability, resilience and long-term support for our operators,” stated Nico Neumann, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Aircraft.

Testing envelope and upcoming milestones

To isolate and validate the landing gear system independently of the new airframe, Deutsche Aircraft is utilizing a legacy D328 aircraft as a dedicated flying testbed. This approach allows the engineering team to gather data across the full operational envelope before the D328eco prototype takes to the air.

“Using a legacy D328 as a dedicated flying testbed has enabled us to efficiently validate the landing gear system across the full operational envelope, from structural ground testing to taxi operations and flight testing,” said Aaron Tsang, Head of Design Organization and Vice President of Engineering at Deutsche Aircraft. “The results provide valuable data while demonstrating the effectiveness of our development and certification approach for the D328eco programme.”

With the initial flight testing phase complete, the certification campaign will advance to specialized performance assessments. According to reporting by Air Data News, the next phase will evaluate braking and stopping distances, steering and ground handling, and crosswind performance. The testing will also include operations on unpaved surfaces, including grass, gravel, and sand runways.

The first test aircraft for the D328eco program, designated TAC 1, rolled out at the company’s Oberpfaffenhofen facility in May 2025. The First-Flight of the actual D328eco prototype is targeted for the second half of 2026.

AirPro News analysis

We view Deutsche Aircraft’s decision to secure the IP rights for its landing gear as a highly pragmatic move that addresses a historical pain point in regional aviation. Landing gear systems are maintenance-intensive, and regional operators frequently cite third-party supply chain delays and spare parts shortages as primary drivers of aircraft downtime.

By bringing engineering authority in-house, Deutsche Aircraft is insulating the D328eco program from external supplier volatility. Harmonizing the gear across both the legacy D328 and the new D328eco also creates immediate scale for parts production. For regional airlines evaluating fleet renewal options, guaranteed lifecycle support and simplified Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) logistics are often just as critical as the aircraft’s fuel burn or payload specifications.

Sources: Deutsche Aircraft Press Release