Fairchild Dornier DO-328-120 Specs and Description

Background/History

Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA), parent company of Dornier Luftart, designed the DO-328-100 as a mid-size twin-engine turboprop to be a cost-effective replacement for older aircraft in the same category that were becoming too expensive to operate and maintain..The 328 series takes advantage of new technologies that were not available when the older aircraft were designed, resulting in almost one-fourth of the airframe manufactured from composites. The initial powerplant chosen for the 328 series was the Pratt and Whitney of Canada PW119 turboprop engine and the aircraft was certified with this installation in 1993. The designers soon realized that more horsepower was called for to improve performance, and the the DO-328-110 was certified in November 1994 utilizing the PW119B engine rated at 2,180shp flat rated to ISA + 5 degrees. In 1999, the DO-328-120 made its appearance with upgraded PW119C engines installed and flat rated to ISA + 22 degrees for improved high/hot performance.

Power

The DO-328-120 is powered by a pair of Pratt and Whitney of Canada PW119C turbsoprop engines each rated at 2,180shp at ISA + 22 degrees driving a six-blade, dual-acting, graphite composite Hartzell propeller. Inspection interval on the engines is 7,000 hours. The previous version of the aircraft, the -110, utilized the PW119B engine variant rated at 2,180shp to ISA + 5 degrees.

Avionics

Honeywell’s Primus 2000 integrated avionics system made its debut in the cockpit of the DO-328 in 1993. It includes five large-tube CRT displays, complemented by integrated radio control heads and factory-standard FMS. The system also offers full-function EICAS including smart synoptics. Dual Primus II radios, dual air data computers, dual data acquisition units, dual Primus II CNI radios, dual AHRS, single DME, radar altimeter and a Primus 650 color weather radar are all standard equipment.TCAS and GPWS systems are available as options.

Design Features

The DO-328-120 was designed as a mid-size, turboprop aircraft whose interior can be configured to meet corporate shuttle requirements. Its airframe is constructed of three-quarters aluminum for the primary structures and doors. The remaining one-quarter is made of composites, including the aft pressure bulkhead, the tail cone and empennage. The top fuselage fairing, main landing gear fairings and most of the nacelles are also made of composite materials. Aircraft systems are straight-forward and built for reliability. Primary flight controls are mechanical, roll spoilers are manually controlled and hydraulically actuated, and the ailerons and rudder utilize servo tabs. The trailing-edge wing flaps are hydraulically actuated. De-ice boots are installed on the wings, empennage and engine air inlets. Refueling is through a single-point pressure receptacle or by gravity through wing ports. The aircraft employs a retractable tricycle landing gear with dual wheels on all three units.

Accomodations

The DO-328-120 configured as a corporate shuttle aircraft will typically have no more than nineteen passenger seats at a 41in. pitch, although the high-density seating could be up to 32 seats at a 31in. pitch. Service galleys are fitted in the rear of the cabin, with a convenient service door in the fuselage useful for quick restocking of stores. Aft of the galley is a 222-cubic-foot pressurized cargo bay, capable of holding 1,650 lbs. The cargo bay is fitted with an external door and may also be accessed in flight through an interior door. A 41in. coat closet is located in the forward section of the cabin. Cabin dimensions are 33.9ft. in length, 6.2ft. in height and 7.2ft. in width.