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Deutsche Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney Canada Advance Regional Turboprop Innovation at Paris Air Show
GlobeNewswire News Room· 2025-06-18 12:13
Core Insights - Deutsche Aircraft, in collaboration with Pratt & Whitney Canada, provided an update on the D328eco® regional turboprop at the Paris Air Show 2025, following the successful rollout of the first test aircraft in May 2025 and the completion of a joint synthetic fuel test campaign in late 2024 [1][4] Group 1: Aircraft Features and Performance - The D328eco is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW127XT-S engine, designed to meet the demands of regional air travel, particularly in challenging environments such as short runways and harsh weather [2] - The aircraft features enhancements that will significantly reduce operating costs and improve dispatch reliability, aiding regional airlines in providing dependable services [3] - Key performance improvements include up to 15% better fuel efficiency compared to its predecessor, 40% longer time on wing, and 20% lower maintenance costs [9] Group 2: Sustainability and Future Readiness - A successful flight test campaign using fully synthetic, zero aromatics Fischer-Tropsch fuels confirmed the propulsion system's performance with alternative fuels, supporting future operational flexibility and sustainability goals [4] - The ambition is to make the D328eco ready to operate with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Entry Into Service (EIS) [5] Group 3: Development Timeline - The rollout of the first test aircraft marks the transition from design to flight testing, with flight tests scheduled to begin in 2026 [6] - The program is on track for type certification and EIS in Q4 2027 [6] Group 4: Customer Focus and Collaboration - Pratt & Whitney Canada emphasizes its commitment to supporting regional airlines by addressing their unique needs, thereby delivering significant value through reduced maintenance and operating costs [4] - Ongoing collaboration between Deutsche Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney Canada aims to ensure the aircraft meets high standards of performance, reliability, and efficiency [7]