Deutsche Aircraft Achieves First Flight Milestone in Landing Gear Certification Programme, Advancing D328eco® Development

Landing Gear Test Campaign - Runway takeoff GNW

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Munich, Germany, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Deutsche Aircraft has reached a major milestone in its landing gear certification programme with the successful completion of Low-Speed Taxi (LST) and High-Speed Taxi (HST) testing, followed by the initial phase of flight testing.

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A legacy D328® aircraft operating as a dedicated flying testbed has successfully completed its first five development flights, achieving all planned test objectives. Since flight testing began on 5 August 2026, the aircraft has accumulated over 15 hours of test time with the new landing gear system, including both flight and ground testing activities. This accomplishment represents a significant step forward in the maturation and certification preparation of the next-generation D328eco®.

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“The successful completion of the ground and taxi test campaign, together with the first flights of our landing gear testbed, is an important achievement,” said Nico Neumann, CEO of Deutsche 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.”

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Beyond advancing D328eco certification, this milestone demonstrates Deutsche Aircraft’s commitment to strengthening long-term product support and operational readiness for regional aircraft operators worldwide.

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Fortifying Regional Aviation Through Direct OEM Control

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Landing gear systems have historically represented a challenge across regional aviation programmes. Dependence on third-party suppliers and limited access to intellectual property can lead to spare parts shortages, complex lifecycle management and operational uncertainty.

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To address these industry-wide challenges, Deutsche Aircraft has transitioned to a new landing gear supplier and secured full intellectual property rights for the system. This strategic move places the landing gear architecture under the company’s direct engineering authority, enabling greater flexibility, responsiveness and long-term product stewardship.

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With direct governance of the landing gear system, Deutsche Aircraft has strengthened its ability to:

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Immediate Benefits for D328 Operators Worldwide

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Beyond advancing the D328eco programme towards entry into service, the landing gear initiative delivers immediate benefits to existing D328 operators worldwide, including:

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