The 328 series uses new technologies that were not available in previous years, making the new aircraft faster and less expensive to manufacture.
The initial powerplant chosen for the 328 series was the Canadian engine, the Pratt and Whitney PW119 turboprop, obtaining a certification in 1993. It was necessary that new and more powerful engines were installed and the the DO-328-110 which was certified with the PW119C engines in November of 1994. 5 years later, in 1999, the DO-328-120 made its appearance with upgraded PW119C engines. The DO-328-120 was designed as a mid-size, turboprop aircraft whose interior can be configured to meet corporate shuttle requirements. Its frame was made out of three-quarters aluminum for the main structures and doors, the remaining one-quarter was made of other composites.
The primary flight controls for the DO-328 are mechanical, roll spoilers are manually controlled and hydraulically actuated, and the ailerons and rudder utilize servo tabs. It has installed De-ice boots on the wings, empennage and engine air inlets. It has a single-point pressure refueling receptacle through wing ports. The aircraft employs a retractable tricycle landing gear with dual wheels on all three units.
