328-100

In the vibrant regional aviation landscape of the 1980s, Dornier, a historic name in German aeronautical engineering, saw the need for an aircraft that could redefine the standards of comfort and performance. The goal was ambitious: to develop a state-of-the-art turbopropeller capable of operating on short and medium routes with unrivaled efficiency and a superior passenger cabin.

The project took shape as the Dornier 328, with its first flight recorded on 6 December 1991. This date marked the beginning of a new era for Dornier, which aimed to conquer a market niche where regional jets were still in their infancy and existing turboprops often lacked modernity and comfort.

The Dornier 328-100 was immediately notable for its high-wing configuration, a design choice that offered numerous advantages. This arrangement not only ensured excellent visibility for passengers, but also allowed exceptional ground clearance for the engines and improved ability to operate from semi-prepared runways or airports with limited infrastructure.

The fuselage was designed with an exceptionally wide cross-section for its category, allowing for a "stand-up" cabin that allowed passengers to stand without having to stoop. This detail, combined with spacious seats, set a new benchmark for comfort on board regional aircraft, a factor often overlooked by its direct competitors.

The use of advanced composite materials in key areas of the structure, such as the wing and tail, helped keep the weight low, while optimizing the strength and durability of the aircraft. Aerodynamics were refined with a sophisticated supercritical wing, which allowed surprisingly high cruising speeds for a turboprop, reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency.

Onboard Specifications

• ◆Exceptionally large diameter pressurized cabin: Offered superior comfort with an interior height of 1.85 metres, allowing passengers to walk upright.
• ◆Advanced Supercritical Wing: Designed to maximize aerodynamic efficiency and performance at higher cruising speeds typical of jets.
• ◆Pratt & Whitney Canada PW119B/C turboprop engines: Two powerful and reliable engines that delivered approximately 2,180 shp each, ensuring excellent performance in terms of speed and range.

The Dornier 328-100 entered service with great enthusiasm, quickly adopted by a variety of regional operators around the world. Its combination of high passenger comfort, operational robustness and short route efficiency made it an attractive choice for airlines looking to expand their regional networks.

Despite its excellent technical qualities and appreciation from passengers, the career of the Dornier 328-100 was marked by a rapidly evolving market. The growing popularity of regional jets, which promised higher speeds and a greater perception of "modernity", put pressure on turboprop sales.

Nonetheless, the aircraft demonstrated its versatility and reliability in various configurations, from scheduled passenger transport to special roles, cementing its reputation as an efficient and comfortable regional workhorse prized by carriers such as Lufthansa CityLine and Skyways Express.

The legacy of the Dornier 328-100 is significant. It demonstrated that a turboprop regional aircraft could offer standards of comfort previously reserved for larger airliners. Its versatile fuselage was the basis for the subsequent Dornier 328JET, a success that demonstrated the validity of Dornier's original design, adapting to the jet age.

Today, the Dornier 328, in both turboprop and jet versions, continues to operate in various special and charter roles, a testament to its solid German engineering and enduring reliability. It remains a prime example of how innovation and attention to passenger comfort can leave an indelible mark on the regional aviation industry.