Fairchild Dornier 728 family

The Dornier 728 is a twin -aisle aircraft for short-haul traffic. It was designed for 70 to 85 passengers and should the models Embraer 170 and Bombardier CRJ700 make competition. Care was taken to a large fuselage cross-section.

History

The aircraft was developed by the former Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH under the ownership of Fairchild Dornier. Besides the fact that it was the developers to the acquired Dornier engineers and the production took place at the former Dornier in Oberpfaffenhofen, the project had virtually nothing to do with the Dornier GmbH in Friedrichshafen. Fairchild Dornier even had the additional name removed after the complete takeover, but introduced him again because of the better visibility in the market. This did not detract from the performance and quality of the design. Lufthansa had already drawn an option for 60 aircraft.

The rollout of the first machine took place on 21 March 2002; to the first flight there was no longer the interim insolvency of Fairchild Dornier. The terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001 and the subsequent crisis in the aviation sector also had an impact on the aviation industry. The relatively small company had to rely on donors and on customer commitments, the only restrictive invested on the basis of the attacks and withdrew purchase commitments.

Under the 728 program, three prototypes were built. The most equipped and at the time of the first bankruptcy standing just before the first flight TAC was 71 (Test Aircraft 728 No. 1). In this prototype, in addition to all systems, a very extensive flight test and instrumentation wiring was ( in the meantime even the engines ) installed. 2002, the project seemed already failed, as Fairchild - Dornier, such as the Dornier works officially were called after the takeover by Fairchild in 1996, went bust - not least because of the huge increase in development costs for the 728th After the entry of the Chinese D ' Long Group, the project 728 was resumed. Under the new management all systems of the TAC 71 were also put into operation and tested ( "Power On" ); a first flight was announced for autumn 2004, the inclusion of the line service was provided for the year 2006. In July 2004, however, Fairchild Dornier was definitively insolvent, whereupon the possession of the company was sold in February 2005.

For the flight tests in Oberpfaffenhofen and Granada were four to five prototypes planned (TAC TAC 71 to 75).

After the insolvency

Prior to the auction, most systems were developed by the respective suppliers. The prototype was sold to the DLR in the framework of the bankruptcy estate auction for 19,000 euros. Used for tests in Göttingen cabin acoustics and airflow. End of June 2005, the disassembly was complete. The tail surfaces and other attachments were dismantled, the wings cut off approximately at the height of the pylons, as a more careful de-riveting the structure would have been too costly. The remaining fuselage wing roots is about six feet wide and stand up to its transport in autumn 2005 still in Oberpfaffenhofen.

The second prototype TAC 72 was essentially only from the cell and parts of the wiring and fixtures that had to be done very early. He was bought by a former Dornier employees for 6,000 euros. He is currently (July 2005 ) with no windows, cockpit windows, doors and tail on a plate in Oberpfaffenhofen. The chassis is currently left to the manufacturer BFGoodrich leasing cheap. It was founded a sponsor organization that wants to make the cell a Dornier Museum. However, cause problems of location and transportation. Several museums have already been canceled.

The third prototype is built, the fracture cell for the static structure attempt at IABG in Ottobrunn, where he is currently still scaffolded. Since he was set up in the hall, he also needs to be disassembled in order to be brought into the open can. It was in an interview that he could possibly be used later as a café, but this plan are probably over too high costs.

Furthermore, there were various structural parts for tests (eg fuselage barrels ), and from the stopped production, all were scrapped. Among them was a dummy chassis.

Other planned releases

  • Dornier 528 with shortened trunk as competition for Bombardier CRJ200.
  • Dornier 928 with a stretched fuselage as a competitor to the Bombardier CRJ900 and Embraer 190
  • Dornier 728 Envoy 7: A Corporate Jet version with additional fuel tanks in the fuselage for range extension, an increased maximum takeoff weight of 39.5 tons and raked wingtips.

Specifications

Pictures

  • Airliners.net: The first prototype of the rollout on 21 March 2002 with mounted engines.
  • Airliners.net: view of the first prototype without engines at auction on 15 February 2005
  • Airliners.net: view of the second, partially assembled prototype at the auction on 15 February 2005
  • Airliners.net: The cockpit of the rollout on 21 March 2002
  • Airliners.net: The cockpit at the auction on 15 February 2005
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