328 Support Services GmbH marks a decade as Type Certificate Holder of the 328 aircraft family

Monday 18th January 2016

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 Airport, helping the growing development of the company and the ongoing support of the Dornier 328 series.

Company employees, including mechanics, engineers and Dornier 328 pilots, are committed to supporting a fleet of around 200 aircraft worldwide.  They continue 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 aircraft is unique in aviation history in that it has been designed with turboprop and jet engines (the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW119B/C and PW306B, respectively).  Over the past 22 years the entire fleet has logged more than 3.59 million flight hours and some 3.63 million flight cycles.

328 has a diverse customer base of regional airlines, who are flying the aircraft with 32-seats and business aviation operators who offer a typical 12 seat VIP configuration or corporate shuttle version. They all 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.  The aircraft is also used worldwide for special mission, air ambulance and maritime patrol 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 since 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 US 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 that will bring this unique aircraft back in production," he added.

About 328:

328 is a subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corporation, USA.  It offers a broad spectrum of services to the aircraft industry.  Employing over 170 aviation experts it supports more than 200 aircraft globally. Services offered include aircraft maintenance, base and line, avionics installation, refurbishment, exterior painting, Part-M services, STC design activities through its EASA Part 21J Design Organisation (Category 1A), parts' manufacture through its Part 21G Approved Production Organisation (C1, C2 and D1 rating) and bespoke VIP interiors including avionic and IFE upgrades. 328 Support Services GmbH is based at Oberpfaffenhofen.

328.eu