IATA D28ICAO D228

Fairchild Dornier Do.228

Fairchild

TravelerPulse profile

Rugged short-takeoff turboprop for demanding regional routes.

First flight

1981

Category

Regional turboprop

Seating

15–19 passengers

Range

1,010 km

Engines

Two Honeywell TPE331-5 (or -10) turboprops

Status

In production

The Dornier Do 228 is a twin-turboprop commuter and utility aircraft developed by Dornier GmbH in West Germany, making its first flight in 1981. Originally designed as a successor to the Do 28, it introduced the company's advanced TNT (New Technology) wing, which provided exceptional short-field performance and fuel efficiency. The aircraft has been produced in several variants, including the Do 228-100 and the stretched Do 228-200. Licence production was also undertaken by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India, which continues to manufacture the type. A modernized version, the Do 228 Next Generation (NG), was developed by RUAG Aviation and features updated avionics and a five-blade propeller. The Do 228 has proven highly versatile, serving in roles ranging from passenger transport on remote routes to maritime patrol, environmental monitoring, and Antarctic supply missions. Its ability to operate from unpaved and short airstrips has made it popular with regional and government operators worldwide.

Notable operators

Air India Regional, Maldivian, Loganair, Indian Navy, and various Antarctic research operators have flown the Do 228.

Notable facts

›Features the advanced Dornier New Technology (TNT) supercritical wing for short-field performance.
›Licence-produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) since the 1980s.
›The Do 228 NG (Next Generation) variant, certified in 2010, introduced a Garmin G950 glass cockpit.
›Widely used for Antarctic logistics missions by agencies including the British Antarctic Survey.
›Over 250 aircraft of all variants have been built across Germany and India.