The single system is designed for both the in-service Dornier 328 fleet and the next-generation D328eco, with the development flights flown on a dedicated Dornier 328 test aircraft in September to generate data for certification.
The programme gives Deutsche Aircraft full intellectual property control and engineering authority over the landing gear, which the company says will strengthen supply chain resilience across both the Dornier 328 and D328eco platforms.
HEGGEMANN is also the serial production partner for landing gear shipsets for existing Dornier 328 aircraft.
For operators of the legacy turboprop, the D328eco landing gear is intended to fit within the existing aircraft installation envelope.
The companies claim the design will increase corrosion resistance and improve maintainability.
HEGGEMANN has worked on the programme since the D328eco project began in 2020.
“The successful flight-test validation confirms the robustness of a landing gear system developed through years of engineering, testing and industrialisation,” said chief executive Dr Christian Howe. “This achievement reflects HEGGEMANN’s expertise in landing gear development and our commitment to delivering a solution that supports both today’s Dornier 328 operators and the future D328eco fleet.”
Wolfgang Kuhl, vice president 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. This milestone strengthens the programme’s technical foundation and supports our strategy of ensuring long-term product stewardship and engineering authority for the D328 platform.”
Remaining certification work on the D328eco landing gear includes further flight, structural, durability, braking, steering and operational testing.
The announcement did not restate a certification date or entry-into-service target for the D328eco.
Deutsche Aircraft has previously given a fourth-quarter 2027 entry-into-service target, revised from earlier goals of 2025 and 2026 and the first D328eco test aircraft has yet to fly.
The companies also did not say when retrofit shipsets would become available to current Dornier 328 operators.
