Handover of 328JET (AC3026) to Welcome Air |
328JETs complete one Million Flight Hours |
During Operators Conference 2008 |
Cirrus Aircraft under Maintenance |
New Interior for VIP |
Three million flight-hours reached
328 Support Services GmbH proudly announces that the Dornier 328 fleet has reached an historical three million flight-hours milestone after 16 years in service. The Dornier 328 family went into operation in October 1993. Today the Dornier 328 is in service with 44 operators in 21 countries worldwide. The two carriers operating the largest number of Dornier 328 aircraft are Tianjin Airlines with 29 Dornier 328-300 and Cirrus Airlines with 13 Dornier 328-100 and 3 Dornier 328-300. The aircraft with the highest number of flight hours is in service with Air Alps Aviation in Austria, which has accumulated 30.477 hours, the aircraft with highest number of flight cycles is in service with Satena in Colombia, which has accumulated 37.221 flights.
328 Support teams with Aerospace Technologies Group
328 Support Services GmbH concluded a successful show at EBACE in Geneva last week with the ratification of a new supplier contract with the USA’s Aerospace Technologies Group, Inc. The privately owned Boynton Beach, Florida-based organisation will supply its Powertech Shade Systems aboard US customer Aviando’s newly acquired Dornier 328. This aircraft (Serial No 3209) is currently undergoing VIP conversion at 328 Support’s Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany facility. The 12-seat aircraft, which 328 Support says will be its most exclusive conversion to date, is scheduled for completion this autumn and the ATG offering will become standard on all future 328 Jet conversions from hereon in.
“We are now moving into a second generation of Dornier 328 VIP conversions with our ever discerning clients asking for the latest inflight entertainment, communications capability and mood lighting. The window shades ATG will provide will be on a par with what ATG supplies for the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380. This is quite a step change and delivers an even higher level of customer satisfaction and sophistication,” said 328 Support Services Chief Executive Dave Jackson.
Aerospace Technologies Group, founded in 1998, is ISO9001:2000/AS9101 (b) certificated, and boasts more than 10,000 window shades in service. It is the world leader in powered window shade systems for business jet and VIP airline conversions and the only supplier of electromechanical window shade systems for commercial airlines. In the business aviation sector it is a tier one supplier to Boeing, Airbus, Cessna, Dassault FalconJet and Gulfstream.
328 Support Services GmbH Partners with EMTEQ® for Dornier 328 VIP Completions
New Berlin, Wis. (May, 13, 2009) – 328 Support Services GmbH has selected EMTEQ as a partner for completion of several Dornier 328 aircraft for VIP operations. EMTEQ will provide a variety of products and services including the all digital SkyPro™ Cabin Management / In-flight Productivity and Entertainment System, LED interior and exterior lighting, integration engineering support, and FAA certification services. All completion work will be carried out at 328 Support Services’ state-of-the-art hangar facilities in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. The first aircraft to feature the IFE / CMS package will be MSN 3209, destined for Aviando Services of the USA, which will deliver during the fourth quarter of 2009.
328 Support Services has a highly skilled team of designers, artisans, and craftsmen that ensure customers’ every detail of configuration requirements and design preferences are tailor-made to their operating specifications. EMTEQ’s customer-centric philosophy allows for designated EMTEQ staff members to be fully integrated into 328 Support Services’ completion team. This proven partnership model will provide 328 Support Services with an onsite team to manage the program from design and development, technical assessment, and aircraft installation through testing, and follow-up support.
Dave Jackson, Chief Executive - 328 Support Services stated “This new partnership takes the Dornier 328 to the next level of passenger comfort.
” EMTEQ will provide SkyPro™ – The Advanced Connectivity and Productivity Solution. This ground-breaking system is an all-digital system with a high-definition audio/video distribution network designed to maximize business-focused connectivity, lifestyle entertainment, and complete cabin environment control. Installation of EMTEQ’s full range of LED interior lighting and cabin accessories include Upwash / Downwash lighting, reading/table lights, air gaspers, and AC power outlets. These high performance, low maintenance, lightweight products offer the desired interior aesthetics without complicated or time-intensive installation requirements.
EMTEQ will also provide engineering design support and FAA certification approvals for the Dornier 328 Jet VIP configuration. With a complementary blend of avionics, structural, interior, and systems engineering and technical skills, EMTEQ will provide engineering support for the integration of CMS/IFE, electric powered window shades including new liners, PSU, emergency lighting system WEPPS, Satcom, in-seat power, and burn certification.
328 Support breaks into Middle East - Announces contract for two Dornier 328 Jet 10-seat VIP conversions
328 Support Services GmbH is to place two VIP Dornier 328s into Dubai. Arriving in Geneva for EBACE this week, the Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany-based company announced the signing of a contract with a private individual who is arranging for the aircraft to be operated in the Middle East and Africa - solely for VIP use.
Through trading company HYSSOP Global, based in Nigeria, the customer has acquired two 31-seat airliner-configured 328 Jets – serial numbers msn 3120 and 3141, previously operated by oil company Shell of the Netherlands. Both are low time aircraft, with 6,000 hours logged. They will be modified by 328 Support into 10-seat VIP aircraft, replicating the 10-seat VIP layout the organisation showcased at the MEBA business aviation show in Dubai last November.
“The ratification of this deal came about as a direct result of that fortuitous visit to our 328 Jet on the static park. The customer came on board and simply said I want an aircraft like this. MEBA turned out to be a great showcase for us,” commented 328 Support Services Chief Executive Dave Jackson. This latest contract follows hard on the heels of 328 Support’s deal with Aviando Services from Miami, Florida. It is taking an ex Atlantic Coast Airlines N-registered 31-seater which 328 Support is converting to a 12-seat VIP Envoy.
Work will start on the first of the two aircraft immediately with the second following in September this year. The owner is also discussing the possibility of taking a third aircraft – msn 3151. 328 Support will provide spares and stock inventory in readiness for delivery in the fourth quarter of this year. The second aircraft will follow in the first quarter of 2010.
Special interior features will include an all new inflight entertainment system, De Crane soft leather seats. 328 Support Services’ engineering team will also fit long range fuel tanks to the aircraft, enabling a 2,000 nm range – for example, Dubai to Cairo. 328 Support will also carry out a series of heavy maintenance checks and other modifications prior to delivery.
“We are delighted to have won this business, especially in the face of immensely tough competition in the Middle East which has flattened off and become a buyer’s market,” said Dave Jackson.
328 Support is at Stand 893 in Geneva this week with a strong contingent of executives. Dave Jackson is joined by Head of Design Jorg Gorgenant; Head of Sales Ray Mosses and Head of Production, Karl-Heinz Klein. Robin Dunlop from interiors partner UK-based CTM Design will also support. Engineering and MRO specialist sister company Jet Engineering Technical Support (JETS), based at Southampton, UK-based engineering organisation is also sharing its Stand.
In the static park the company is showing off 328 Jet (Serial No 3139) owned by Cirrus Aviation, part of the newly expanded DC Aviation Group. 328 Support turned this aircraft into a 12-seat VIP layout from its previous 32-seat airliner layout. 328 Support carried out the modification and conversion to VIP layout of the five 328s operating with Icejet, which is on show at EBACE. Icejet is now basing two of its five 328 jets at Oxford Airport in the UK.
Welcome Air of Austria accepts brand new 328 Jet from 328 Support
328 Support Services GmbH this week formally handed over a new-build Dornier 328 Jet to privately owned. Welcome Air of Austria, the first all new aircraft to be completed at the Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany facility in four years. OE-HRJ, configured with 31 all-leather seats plus a baggage bay access door, was previously earmarked for Hainan Airlines of China, but was never delivered. 328 Support has been working on the aircraft (Serial No 3206), including new external paint for the past three months, ready for delivery this month. It will return in November to have long range fuel tanks fitted and the interior modified to feature six Quick Change VIP seats installed, plus a medivac option capable of holding up to five stretchers.
Welcome Air will utilise the aircraft for charter flights and on its regular daily scheduled services from Innsbruck to Germany and Scandinavia. Its scheduled and charter and business VIP activity is complemented by its important air ambulance work. Welcome Air subsidiary Tyrol Air Ambulance has been the EU’s leading air ambulance for the past three decades and it has transported 39,000 injured passengers home from all continents.
Its latest aircraft has been financed by the Rotorjet Group of Italy and it will also be used for Welcome Air’s partner companies in Italy and Switzerland – JetLife (for ambulance flights) and JetCom (for business charters).
“We are absolutely delighted to be adding this new Dornier 328Jet to our fleet. The 328 Jet is extremely versatile, rugged and just perfect for the various flying activities we perform,” said Welcome Air Managing Director Jakob Ringler. “Its cabin is generous and there really isn’t another aircraft on the market today that is on a par when it comes to affordable operating costs too,” he added.
Dave Jackson, 328 Support Services Managing Director added: “We are very pleased to place Aircraft No 3206 with Welcome Air, which has been a Dornier 328 customer since its formation in 1999. It is one of the last of the new build 328s to leave our hangar, but we have a number of refurbishment and conversion programmes ongoing with used aircraft. The 328 is proving a very popular type right now, especially in these difficult economic times,” he said.
Dornier 328JETs complete one million flight hours.
Oberpfaffenhofen, August 12, 2008: The worldwide Dornier 328JET fleet passed a significant milestone when it logged its one-millionth flight hour in operation this week.
With more than 100 Dornier 328JETs in service with 28 operators, this is proof every day, that this aircraft is unique in its class: No accident has occurred since entry into service of the first 328JET in 1999, and a high customer satisfaction is garanteed by the spacious cabin of the 328, and the excellent flight characteristics and the low fuel consumption.
This fleet of 328JETs has been also converted from a regional aircraft to a VIP Aircraft, Ambulance Aircraft and a Special Mission Aircraft.
With the Dornier 328 Turboprop, approaching its two million flight hours since entry into service in 1992, this is a significant milestone for 328 Support Services as well.
As the Dornier 328JET and Dornier 328 Turboprop Type Certificate Holder since 2006, the aim of 328 Support Services is continuing optimum support of all 328 operators and keep the 328 Jet and Turboprop fleet flying for another million flight hours.
Dornier 328 Operators Conference 2008 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain
A heightened co-operation through shared operational experiences between Dornier 328 operators worldwide was one of the agreed actions at the recent Dornier 328 operators conference which took place during 3-5 June in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Over 80 representatives from 18 operators around the world, including Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Italy, the USA, Venezuela, Colombia and Australia and suppliers met with the technical and customer support managers of the Dornier 328 type certificate holder 328 Support Services GmbH, to discuss the current issues in maintaining the 215-strong worldwide fleet.
It was agreed that airlines will work together to share best practices in terms of in-service performance and maintenance as well as optimizing the delivery of spare parts. 328 Support Services also highlighted its expanding expertise and interest in 328 Jet conversions (primarily to 12 and 14-seat VIP executive aircraft).
"We have certainly proved ourselves since the last operators conference in December 2006 in the role of being a reliable partner and a company focused on the long term support of this fleet. In our hangar 310 in Oberpfaffenhofen Airport, near Munich we have fully integrated a new interior shop that allows us to manufacture in house custom made interiors for our customers. The hangar is currently very busy with aircraft maintenance and conversion work,” reported Dave Jackson, Managing Director of 328 Support Services. "We have already equipped four aircraft with new VIP interiors, and two more 328 Jets conversion are in progress.” The high acceptance in the market for this work has led to a steep increase in turnover, in addition to an increase in the workforce, which has grown to over 100 employees – from 80 in 2006.
328 Support Services has demonstrated its competence and diversity of skills to handle a number of new engineering tasks - from the refurbishment of aircraft, fitting of luxurious seats through the mounting of new high level interiors, to the installation of the most modern inflight entertainment systems. The fitting of long range fuel tanks taking the 328Jet’s range to over 2,000 nm, is also another popular request among customers. During the operators conference, Ray Mosses, Head of Sales, introduced renderings of a whole new VIP layout and a cabin interior which maximizes the 328’s large cabin. Features include an enlarged lavatory and new colour scheme for the interior.
The conference agenda also include presentations from several of the aircraft’s major vendors - Pratt & Whitney Canada, Honeywell, Messier-Dowty, Thales, Meggitt and Hartzell. FSC from the Netherlands was introduced as a new training provider – having acquired its 328 flight simulator in December 2007 at its Schiphol/Amsterdam facilities.
"Operations of such a big fleet worldwide create many technical issues and a new Customer Support handbook has now been issued to all the operators. 328 Support Services noted that the company was working had to quicken the handling of inquiries reduce reaction-time on inquiries by our Global Support Center. In the USA, we are determined to speed up the support with spare parts”, summarizes Bernhard Schuster, Head of Customer Support at 328 Supports Services. "Greater co-operation between our customers, the sharing of operational and maintenance information will help us keep the Dornier 328 family flying for many more flight-hours, he said.
328 Support Services – the company 328 Support Services GmbH holds the type certificate for the Dornier 328 Jet and Turboprop aircraft. It provides worldwide support to a fleet in excess of 200 aircraft. At its Oberpfaffenhofen Airport, near Munich, Germany base, its 100-strong workforce offer full maintenance and engineering work, customer support, spare parts and technical services together with aircraft modernisation, retrofit and customisation work.
328 Support Services GmbH has secured a VIP conversion contract for a Dornier 328 (D-CRIP) with Cirrus Group, parent of Cirrus Airlines of Germany. The work will commence from May through to the end of August 2008 when the 32-seat passenger configured aircraft will be fully transformed to a 12-seat VIP layout. The contract is worth several million Euros to 328 Support and all the work will be carried out at its Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich hangar facilities, including the manufacture of the complete interior including the galley, all wardrobes and side ledges.
The new interior will feature all new De Crane seats, a new large galley, individual TV monitors to all VIP seats, on board Sat-Phone, and a large toilet area with dressing room.
“We are delighted to be working together with the Cirrus Group, one of the 328’s largest European customers,” said 328 Support Services newly promoted Head of Sales Ray Mosses. “We are also pleased that it will be the start of a wider relationship as Cirrus expands its charter activity.”
“We have worked with 328 Support before and enjoyed good collaboration for our maintenance requirements. We are confident they will do a good job for us with this new 12-seat VIP aircraft. In parallel with this five month conversion we expect to do more
with the organisation.,” said Lutz Schindler, Technical Director Aircraft Asset Management. He added: “ There is really nothing out in the marketplace that offers such a generous, wide cabin – comparable with the Challenger 604 – at attractive capital costs. Depending on market acceptance, we are looking at one, maybe two more 328s to convert in this way, putting the first 12-seat aircraft into service in early September. “
Alongside the Cirrus aircraft, 328 Support is also working on a 10-seat VIP conversion for an undisclosed new European customer, which has also specified the inclusion of long range fuel tanks. With a 2,000 nm range this will enable the aircraft to fly direct as far as Russia or into the Middle East from most European capitals. The option to fit these tanks is only available from 328 SSG and can either be fitted as part of the conversion, or as a retrofit solution.
This will take the number of Dornier 328 ‘VIP’ aircraft conversions carried out by 328 Support to seven, including the four delivered to Mikado Capital.
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