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In 1996, Dornier started developing a bigger version of the 228 as a potential market for a 30 seat regional aircraft was anticipated. Assembled in Oherpfaffenhofen, Germany, the 33 seat 328-100 flew for the first time in December 1991, and was certificated by the end of 1993. The improved 328-110 version entered production the same year, followed in 1996 by the 120 and 130, powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW119C turboprops driving six blade Hartzell composite propellers. All versions inherit the same supercritical wing profile from the 228. All equipped with a pressurised cabin, the later versions offer more flaps settings and are qualified for low visibility landings (Cat 3a).
After the jet version 328JET was launched in 1996, production of the 328 turboprop continued at the Fairchild factory, this company owning 80% of Dornier from 1986. Big participation from Daewoo, IAI, Aermacchi or Westland contribute to the 328 construction.
The turbofan-based 328-300 or 328JET, of which 83 were sold, utilized the same cabin arrangement as the tuboprop version. Production of the 328 turboprop continued at the Fairchild factory, this company owning 80% of Dornier from 1986.
The declining commercial success of the 328JET meant that Fairchild-Dornier was unable to finance the development of further models. The 328JET was therefore the last commercial aircraft to be produced by the former Dornier business before it became insolvent in 2002. Following Dornier's insolvency, AvCraft Aviation of Virginia acquired the rights to the 328 program in March 2003, including the 32-seat 328JET and 328 turboprop, 18 328JETs in various stages of assembly, and the development work on the 428JET.
Powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW306B turbofans, the 328JET first flew in January 1998. US company Skyway Airlines was the first to operate the type from August 1999. The mounting of jet engines improves take-off performance, as well as range and cruise speed.
The aircraft was assembled at Oberpfaffenhofen in Germany. Fuselages came from Aermacchi in Italy and wings were supplied by the Fairchild factory of San Antonio in the USA.
Fairchild-Dornier also began development of the stretched 428 and 428JET, a 44-seat version of the 328JET.
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