AvCraft Dornier 328JET
AvCraft (Fairchild Dornier) · Germany · first flew 1998 · airliner
The Dornier 328JET is a 30-plus-seat regional jet created by re-engining the turboprop Do 328 with rear fuselage-mounted turbofans, retaining the slim high-wing airframe.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Slim high-wing pencil fuselage |
| T — Tail | T-tail |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Slim high-wing pencil fuselage
- Rear fuselage-mounted turbofans
- T-tail
The unusually slim, pencil-like fuselage under a straight high wing is unmistakable. Twin turbofans mounted on the rear fuselage and a T-tail complete a layout unlike any other regional jet of its size.
Specifications
- The AvCraft Dornier 328JET has a length of 21.11 m (69 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 20.98 m (69 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 750 km/h (466 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 flight crew, ~32 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1998, the 328JET aimed to shed the turboprop Do 328's image while reusing its proven structure. About 110 were built before Fairchild Dornier collapsed in 2002, after which AvCraft took on the type and its support. Product support later passed to 328 Support Services and Sierra Nevada.
Variants
It is the jet-powered member of the Do 328 family, essentially the turboprop airframe with PW306B turbofans replacing the props. Corporate-shuttle and Envoy-branded executive fits were offered. The design later underpinned proposals for a modernised regional jet.
Where you'll see it
Operators were concentrated in the US regional and corporate-shuttle market, with limited European use. UK relevance is modest, with only a handful appearing on the register in corporate and charter roles. No major UK scheduled carrier flew the type.
Related aircraft
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