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

Aviation marketplace data for August 2026 indicates a tightening global supply of GE Aerospace GE90 engine-control components for the Boeing 777, contrasting with sustained high demand for routine Airbus A320-family parts. Published on September 4, 2026, by aviation procurement platform Locatory.com, the market overview highlights specific Supply-Chain constraints for widebody engine components ahead of the upcoming heavy maintenance season.

Diverging aftermarket conditions

The August 2026 data reveals two distinct aftermarket conditions developing simultaneously. On the demand side, the marketplace recorded high activity for standard hardware and Airbus A320-family landing-gear components. Locatory.com described this activity as procurement teams chasing the routine material required to keep high-utilization narrowbody fleets operational.

Conversely, the supply side showed a concentrated scarcity signal. The availability of engine-control parts for the GE90 tightened significantly. This specific shortage points to localized pressure points in the widebody maintenance sector, even as narrowbody operators focus on securing high-volume consumables and standard hardware.

Industry consolidation and capacity constraints

The tightening supply of specific engine components occurs against a backdrop of rapid consolidation in the aviation aftermarket. Between early July and late August 2026, at least six major transactions were executed, shifting aftermarket ownership, repair access, and engine support capacity into fewer, more integrated entities.

This consolidation trend spans multiple sectors of the industry. Aircraft lessors are acquiring service businesses, while Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) providers are securing long-term repair capacity. Simultaneously, engine Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are expanding their internal shop networks. In response to tight shop slots and constrained engine availability, Airlines are increasingly bringing maintenance operations in-house to ensure fleet reliability.

IATA calls for supply chain transparency

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) addressed these structural challenges in its 2026 Annual Review. The organization called for greater supply-chain transparency and increased competition within the MRO sector. IATA also advocated for wider access to alternative parts and repair venues, alongside improved information regarding Used Serviceable Material (USM), to assist airlines in navigating shortages and optimizing sourcing decisions.

AirPro News analysis

The localized scarcity of GE90 engine controls ahead of the heavy maintenance season illustrates the vulnerability of widebody operators to specific component bottlenecks. While narrowbody demand remains predictable and volume-driven, the widebody sector is experiencing acute pressure points. We view the recent wave of aftermarket consolidation as a direct response to these supply chain realities. As MRO capacity and USM inventories concentrate within fewer organizations, airlines without vertically integrated maintenance capabilities or long-term service agreements will likely face higher costs and longer turnaround times. The IATA recommendations highlight a growing industry consensus that the current aftermarket structure requires greater flexibility to support global fleet operations.

Sources: Locatory

Avianca has secured up to $300 million in financing backed by the Brazilian Agency for the Management of Guarantee Funds and Guarantees (ABGF) to fund MRO services for its CFM56 aircraft engines at GE Aerospace facilities in Brazil.

Announced in a press release on September 8, 2026, the transaction represents the first time a non-Brazilian airline has utilized the ABGF framework to finance aircraft engine maintenance. Citibank arranged the financing structure, which relies on Export Credit Insurance (SCE) provided by the Brazilian government to support the export of high-value services.

Abra Group leverages regional MRO capabilities

Avianca, a member of the Abra Group alongside Gol Linhas Aéreas and Wamos Air, will direct the funds toward engine shop visits at GE Aerospace’s Celma network. The financing provides the carrier with dedicated capital for heavy engine maintenance, a major cost center for commercial airlines operating mature narrowbody fleets.

“Maintaining a reliable and efficient fleet is fundamental to delivering the experience our customers deserve. According to Abra Group’s approach to fleet synergies and growth, this agreement provides additional flexibility to execute our maintenance plans while continuing to invest in the resilience, reliability, and performance of our operation,” said Felipe Gutierrez, Chief Operating Officer of Avianca.

The Avianca agreement follows a similar move by its sister airline. On August 13, 2026, Gol Linhas Aéreas secured a $160 million financing line under an identical ABGF guarantee structure for engine MRO services at the same GE Celma facilities.

Bolstering Brazil’s aerospace export sector

The GE Aerospace Celma operation spans sites in Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, and Três Rios. According to the company, the Brazilian network conducts nearly 25 percent of the manufacturer’s internal engine maintenance work globally.

Maíra Madrid, President of ABGF, stated that supporting high-technology services performed in Brazil generates value, skilled employment, and foreign exchange earnings. She noted that the transaction helps strengthen the international presence of Brazilian companies and expands the country’s participation in global aerospace value chains.

“This innovative financing solution, a first-of-its-kind with ABGF, provides Avianca with access to world-class maintenance and overhaul services at our Celma facility in Brazil. We look forward to building on this initiative to deliver even greater value for our customers across the region,” said Mahendra Nair, Group VP of Global Commercial Sales at GE Aerospace.

The Avianca MRO financing was announced on a busy day for GE Aerospace. Separately on September 8, 2026, the engine manufacturer agreed to acquire precision castings supplier Consolidated Precision Products (CPP) for $11.75 billion, a move designed to expand its control over specialized castings for commercial aerospace and defense applications.

AirPro News analysis

We view the consecutive ABGF-backed financing deals by Abra Group airlines as a calculated strategy to optimize heavy maintenance costs across the holding company’s fleet. By tapping into Brazilian state-supported export credit, Avianca and Gol can secure favorable financing terms for capital-intensive CFM56 shop visits without straining their primary balance sheets. This arrangement also cements GE Aerospace’s Celma facility as a critical node in the Latin American aviation supply chain, aligning operator needs with Brazil’s strategic push to export high-value aerospace services.

Sources: Avianca via PR Newswire