Deutsche Aircraft has successfully flight tested a new landing gear system developed for both its existing Dornier 328 fleet and the next-generation D328eco.
The German regional aircraft manufacturer and its development partner, Heggemann AG, completed taxi trials and an initial flight-test campaign validating the landing gear, in what they called a significant step toward certification and entry into service. The milestone followed extensive ground and flight testing.
The work followed low-speed and high-speed taxi testing and a first phase of flight testing using a dedicated Dornier 328 test aircraft. The aircraft completed its initial development flight campaign in September 2026, validating the system in both ground and flight environments and providing data to advance certification.
The landing gear was designed around a single concept compatible with both present and future aircraft, intended to increase corrosion resistance, improve maintainability and integrate proven subsystem technologies within the existing installation envelope.
As the development and industrial partner, Heggemann provided engineering services spanning concept development, design and analysis, and laboratory work including drop-test campaigns and structural, performance and endurance testing, as well as full DO-160 environmental testing. The company has worked with Deutsche Aircraft on the landing gear since the D328eco program began in 2020.
Wolfgang Kuhl, vice president of programs and innovations at Deutsche Aircraft, said, “The successful validation of the new landing gear is an important step on our certification journey for the D328eco. Working closely with HEGGEMANN AG has enabled us to mature a critical aircraft system from concept through testing and flight validation.”
Christian Howe, CEO of Heggemann AG, said, “The successful flight-test validation confirms the robustness of a landing gear system developed through years of engineering, testing and industrialisation.”
Heggemann is also the partner for serial production of landing gear shipsets for existing Dornier 328 aircraft. The arrangement supports Deutsche Aircraft’s strategy to secure full intellectual property control and engineering authority over the landing gear, which it says will improve supply chain resilience and long-term product stewardship across both platforms.
Certification will continue with flight, structural, durability, braking, steering and operational testing as the D328eco program moves toward entry into service.
