Steady Progress!

It is with great pleasure that I write to you again today.

In our last newsletter, we discussed the progression of new offices and building space in Oberpfaffenhofen as well as several other relevant topics. Today, the focus would be to update you on our product and program development, as well as latest organization build up.

First of all, we held our first Customer Advisory Boards (CAB) at the end of last year. More than 10 participating companies attended from all continents providing valuable feedback which we are integrating into the aircraft design, to further enhance the attractive proposition of the D328ecoTM. The feedback covered design and operational topics. Lively discussions and presentations of all topics important to a customer closed some of the interviews we had.

With these further elements in hand together with the work of the engineering, program and supply chain teams we were also able to conclude our PDR – Product Design Review - last month, with a significantly enhanced product which we will further report in this newsletter.

The concept phase and the customer feedback from our recent CAB took us a step further in regard to the D328eco development as we managed to enhance our product not only through the feedback of potential customers but also via advanced discussion with some of our key suppliers.

Further aerodynamic studies and wind tunnel testing work on the D328eco program have successfully been carried out. This marks the first achievement of a long series of in-situ tests where results and progress will be regularly highlighted over the coming months by the team.

Another milestone recently achieved as regards the production process, was the creation of a digital twin and physical demonstrator of the wing spar box together with umlaut, and manufacturing partner HEGGEMANN. As an outcome, a production of the wing spar box has been proven to be possible in an efficient highly automated and sustainable way.

As a result of all the hard work, our teams have successfully achieved the current program milestones, and further adjustments, as a result of the design review and inputs received from customers and suppliers, we are now targeting the D328eco certification towards in the second half of 2026.

In line with this progress and the continued ramp up of our teams, we have recently opened the hiring process for the Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Leipzig, where ground breaking is planned for the end of 2022/beginning of 2023.

Last but not least, I am also pleased to announce important enhancement in our senior leadership team, with the recent addition of Nico Buchholz as acting Chief Commercial Officer.

Combining all of the above you can understand why we can be proud and thrilled about the progress we have made, and are looking forward to an exciting future. Currently we are preparing ourselves for the upcoming conferences and airshows in ILA Berlin (22 – 26 June) and Farnborough Air Show (18 – 22 July) where Deutsche Aircraft will be present.

Enjoy the read,

Dave Jackson.

Organization Strengthening

In order to enhance our global commercial footprint we are pleased to announce Nico Buchholz as part of the leadership team as acting Chief Commercial Officer. Nico has already been providing consulting support to Deutsche Aircraft and is also familiar with many of the topics and challenges we are currently working on. His key responsibilities at Deutsche Aircraft will be the management of the aircraft sales process – including contracts and marketing support, as well as external communications.

Nico’s extensive industry experience includes work with Airbus, Bombardier, Delta, GOAL, Lufthansa and others where he held senior positions in Marketing and Sales, Customer business, procurement, strategy and fleet management as well as board positions. Nico also runs his own business and is a coach for several start-ups in the aviation field.

Following the recent completion of the Preliminary Design Review phase. We are now moving towards CDR and our industrialization activities. This is aimed at embracing new technology opportunities and blending these into the D328eco. As a consequence of these developments, Martin Nüßeler is leaving the company to explore new opportunities. We appreciate his contribution towards the program and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

‍

Finally, due to personal reasons, Jose Costas, Vice President Sales & Marketing, has decided to relocate back to Lisbon where he will continue to provide ongoing sales support in a consulting capacity. We would like to thank him for the contribution during his time at Deutsche Aircraft, in Oberpfaffenhofen.

Engineering / program updates

The D328eco program just completed the Concept Phase and is now entering the Detailed Design Phase. Focus on the derivate development in the first key phase of the program was on justification of the aircraft configuration with the stretched fuselage by analysis and wind tunnel campaigns. Major progress was made towards the full digitalisation of the airframe. A crucial step to ensure a successful industrial set up of the aircraft, which includes but is not limited to 2D/3D activities, definition dossier and new systems architectures development.

On the supply chain side, we have seen a raising interest from the industry and received positive and constructive feedback from key partners supporting the program on the airframe, propulsion and system level. Being able to rely upon key partners which have shown high level of commitment to the Program, despite the current global geopolitical situation crisis the world is facing.

Further aerodynamic studies and wind tunnel testing work on the D328eco program have successfully been carried out.

‍

Last but not least, the new FAL concept for the building located in Leipzig Airport was completed and phase 2 of the building specification successfully achieved.

‍

Sign up below to receive these updates directly to your inbox.