328 Support Services GmbH (328) is celebrating 10 years as Type Certificate holder of the successful Dornier 328 (jet and turboprop series).
The company is marking the occasion with an expansion of its facilities at its Oberpfaffenhofen HQ, near Munich, Germany, having recently moved into new office space. It has now occupied more modern hangar facilities at Oberpfaffenhofen helping the growing development of the company and the ongoing support of the Dornier 328 series.
The company employees, including mechanics engineers and Dornier 328 pilots, are committed to supporting a fleet of around 200 aircraft worldwide and continues to provide engineering and material support for the 328 Type Certificate, as well as STC solutions on VIP aircraft types ranging from small up to larger intercontinental models
The 328 is a unique in aviation history is that it has been designed with turboprop and jet engines (the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW119B/C and PW306B respectively) and over the past 22 years the entire fleet has logged more than 3.598.800 flight hours and some 3.632.582 million flight cycles.
A diverse customer base with Regional airlines who are flying the aircraft with 32-seats, business aviation operators flying the aircraft in VIP and corporate shuttle configuration continue to enjoy the wide bodied comfort of this versatile aircraft. Its unique handling characteristics, short runway ability, rugged performance and modern avionics make it especially popular with pilots, and it is also used worldwide for special mission, air ambulance and maritime patrol’s operations.
328 took over the Type Certificate of the 328 family when it acquired AvCraft Aviation, in January 2006, commencing operation with just 50 ex Dornier employees; it has grown substantially to now employ nearly 180 people.
Legacy of the 328 to be continued with the new TRJet family
Dave Jackson, Managing Director of 328, commented: "Speaking for the entire workforce in Op, Germany today we are extremely proud to have had the privilege of being custodians of this terrific aircraft program for 10 years. We will continue to provide comprehensive MRO and technical support to all those aircraft flying – in scheduled service, in VIP charter, medevac and on special mission activities today.
Entering 2016 we are also pleased to be building on the great heritage and legacy of the 328 in undertaking a key role in a new regional aircraft project by being a partner in the TRJet program, together with our new owners, Sierra Nevada Corp"
The launch of TRJet is in response to a strong and growing demand within the regional market. "We are confident this project will have a worldwide impact and working together with TRJet, 328 is proud to be part of the team," he added.
