Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Deutsche Aircraft/ Dornier Do-328 and 328JET

Charles Alcock

Charter and corporate shuttle flight operator Private Wings has signed up as the launch customer for Deutsche Aircraft’s Dornier 328eco turboprop twin that will run on 100 percent power-to-liquid sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The OEM said the 43-seat D328eco&nbsp;is a first step towards its longer-term goal to bring a hydrogen-powered version to market.
Private Wings operates from bases at Germany’s Berlin Schoenefeld and Ingolstadt airports. It specializes in carrying larger corporate groups and sports teams and operates a fleet of nine Dornier 328s, as well as a single example of the Dornier 328Jet and a Beechcraft 1900D.
Deutsche Aircraft announced the signing of a letter of intent today during a ground-breaking ceremony for its final assembly line at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The company already provides <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-11-02/deutsche-aircraft-renews-mx-contract-private-wings">maintenance support </a>for Private Wings'&nbsp;current Dornier 328s, for which it owns the type certificate.
The manufacturer said&nbsp;the<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2022-03-17/deutsche-aircrafts-328eco-gets-boost-norway"> D328eco</a> will have 95 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions than the existing aircraft. “The D328eco is a natural step forward for Private Wings as we look to grow our business and our fleet and seek the most operationally efficient, modern, and sustainable regional aircraft in its class,” said company CEO Peter Gatz.
The green version of the aircraft will have all-new Pratt &amp; Whitney PW127XT-S turboprop engines and the Garmin Companion flight deck. Deutsche Aircraft is also developing a cabin that it claims will be quieter and more comfortable for passengers. The manufacturer is aiming to run the first D328eco prototype on SAF before the end of this year as it aims for type certification and service entry in 2026.
Power-to-liquid (PtL) fuel, which is a synthetically produced liquid hydrocarbon—uses renewable electricity as a key energy source. The three main steps in producing PtL consist of the conversion into carbon feedstock of carbon dioxide (CO2) captured via, for example, direct carbon capture; the synthesis of carbon feedstocks into “green” hydrogen using processes such as Fischer-Tropsch to generate liquid hydrogen; and, finally, the conversion of the liquid hydrogen into a synthetic equivalent of kerosene. &nbsp;
In 2021, Universal Hydrogen began&nbsp;studies with Deutsche Aircraft to evaluate the potential for installing its modular hydrogen capsules in the Dornier 328. The collaboration follows a related partnership agreement&nbsp;between Deutsche Aircraft and its fellow German start-up H2Fly to develop hydrogen fuel-cell technology for the turboprop twin. The planned demonstrator aircraft will carry a much more powerful 1.5-MW hydrogen system. The partners aim to certify hydrogen-powered variant&nbsp;under the requirements of EASA’s CS-25 class for transport-category aircraft.

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