Dornier 328 Series

The Dornier 328 Turboprop is a high-speed, 30-seat regional airliner that bridges the gap between traditional prop efficiency and jet-like performance. Designed with a supercritical wing and a streamlined fuselage, it is famously one of the fastest turboprops in its class, often referred to as a ‘jet with props.’ For GA brokers and corporate buyers, it represents a high-capacity executive shuttle or a rugged special-missions platform.

Key Features for GA Buyers

• Speed and Efficiency: Cruising at 335 knots, it significantly outperforms typical regional props like the ATR 42 or Dash 8 in speed while maintaining lower fuel burns than regional jets.
• Cabin Experience: Features a ‘stand-up’ cabin (6‘2”) and 3-abreast seating, offering more shoulder room and a more ‘airliner’ feel than smaller corporate turboprops.
• Short-Field Capability: Excellent performance on shorter runways, making it viable for regional airports that cannot accommodate larger jets.
• Modern Avionics: Most are equipped with Honeywell Primus 2000 digital glass cockpits, providing high reliability and situational awareness.

Trade-offs

• Wing Configuration: Despite the initial JSON data, this is a High Wing aircraft. While this provides great ground clearance for unpaved strips, it results in a narrower landing gear track (housed in fuselage sponsons) which requires more attention during crosswind landings.
• Operating Cost: While fuel-efficient for its size, maintenance on the specialized Dornier airframe and P&WC PW119 engines can be higher than more common regional platforms.
• Market Rarity: With only ~217 turboprops built, parts sourcing and specialized mechanic availability may require more effort than with more ubiquitous models.