Around 80 years of flight history has been written at what is now Air Tech Campus (ATC) Oberpfaffenhofen. In 1936, the first aircraft were developed and built at the Dornier plant on the site. Gradually, companies from across the aviation industry, including those involved in space travel, set up shop here. Today, ATC is home to a unique network of aerospace-related companies with around 8,000 employees. The campus has now opened a new chapter of innovative and sustainable flight.
In May, the first five-seater electric air taxi successfully completes its maiden flight at ATC Oberpfaffenhofen. The prototype, which weighs one and a half tons, is a vertical take-off aircraft, as was the Do 31 developed by Dornier in 1959.
BEWO GmbH, a joint venture between TRIWO AG and BEOS AG, acquires the special-purpose Oberpfaffenhofen airport from the Airbus Group. After a prolonged period of inactivity, the site is earmarked for further development with immediate effect.
In the same year, Lilium GmbH moves to the site. The company develops and tests autonomous, fully electric air taxis.
Dornier Seawings moves into its new base on the site. The multinational joint venture develops the Dornier Seastar twin-engine amphibious aircraft in Oberpfaffenhofen.
In the same year, Torqueedo settles in Oberpfaffenhofen. It is the market leader for electric boat drives and innovative accessories, including solar charging technology and high-performance lithium batteries.
RUAG Aviation begins production of the Do 228 NG aircraft in Oberpfaffenhofen in 2009 as the successor to the Do 228-100.
Authorities in Upper Bavaria issue an airworthiness permit for business aviation at Oberpfaffenhofen airport.
The development of the Do 228 NG begins in 2007 and the aircraft is ready for take-off on 12 November 2009. RUAG is responsible for both the development and production of the Do 228 NG. The first flight of the new aircraft takes place on 30 July 2010.
Following the insolvency of AvCraft, 328 Support Services GmbH takes over the Do 328 programme.
The planning approval procedure and the redevelopment of the airport are approved by the Bavarian state government.
RUAG Aerospace GmbH takes over the aircraft maintenance division, the Do 228 programme and the supplier business for Airbus at the Oberpfaffenhofen site.
In the same year, the US company AvCraft takes over the Do 328 programme.
Following Fairchild-Dornier’s declaration of insolvency, the special-purpose airport is transferred to European Aeronautic Defence and Space. From 2014, EADS operates under the name Airbus Group.
The development of the Do 728 begins. Rollout starts in 2002.
The maiden flight of the 328 Jet, Fairchild-Dornier’s jet version of the Do 328, takes place on 21 January 1998.
In the same year, the Do 228-100 is discontinued.
Fairchild Industries takes over Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH on 1 June 1996. The company continues operations under its new name, Fairchild-Dornier.
The first flight of the Do 328, the last aircraft type designed by Dornier, takes place on 6 December 1991.
Dornier GmbH is integrated into DASA (later EADS, then Airbus Group) as Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH.
The Do 228-100 makes its maiden flight on 21 March 1981. From 1986, Hindustan Aeronautics in India begins licensed production of the Do 228-100.
On 4 March 1980, the first flight of the Do 128-6, a new generation of the Do 28 D, takes place. Production is discontinued in 1986. In Germany, one of these models is still in use as a research aircraft by the Technical University of Braunschweig.
In cooperation with the French company Dassault, the development and production of the Alpha Jet, a cantilever high-wing monoplane, begins in 1973. The maiden flight of the first aircraft produced by Dornier takes place on 9 January 1974 in Oberpfaffenhofen.
On 28 February 1968, the first Vertical Take-Off and Landing approach and circling takes place. In 1970, the Do 31 takes off for the last time. One of the prototypes can still be admired today in the Dornier Museum in Friedrichshafen.
With the maiden flight of the Do 28 D Skyservant on 23 February 1966, the foundation stone was laid for series production, which subsequently began in 1968.
From the mid-1960s onwards, Dornier manufactured the Bell UH-1 D helicopter under licence for the German military, who have had the craft in service since 1967. The last aircraft is manufactured in 1971. It is still in use today and continues to be maintained in Oberpfaffenhofen.
The first flight of the Do 28 A takes place on 20 March 1960. A total of 120 of the aircraft are built. In Africa and South America, a number of machines are still occasionally called into service.
In 1959, the development and construction of three prototype aircraft begins, as does testing of the Do 31 Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft.
On 17 October 1956, factory air traffic starts with the maiden flight of the series production Do 27, which is manufactured in Germany. This marks the beginning of the Dornier small aircraft series.
Foundation of Dornier Werke GmbH (from 1966, Dornier GmbH).
The airport is shut down and the halls are used as storage areas for grain and crew.
During the Berlin Airlift, the allies Raisin Bombers are serviced in Oberpfaffenhofen. At times, more than ten machines simultaneously fill the skies over Gilching.
Following the occupation of the airport by the U.S. Army on 30 April 1945, the site serves as a U.S. Air Base.
During the Second World War, (German) war planes are built, maintained and repaired at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport.
Dornier Werke GmbH lays the foundation stone for Oberpfaffenhofen Airport on 16 July 1936. In two phases of construction, two assembly hangars, an aircraft hangar, an aircraft repair hangar and an administration building are completed by September 1937. In addition, the site is given a runway, a direct link to the rail network and the Weichselbaum railway station, just outside the factory gates.
