Club328 has added a 12-seat Dornier 328 turboprop to its fleet. The operator, which is based in Southampton, UK, acquired the aeroplane from US-based aircraft lessor CIT Aerospace.

Club328 captain Simon Dufton, joined by flight engineer Paul Dines and US Dornier pilots, flew the 328 from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to Southampton on September 18.

The crew’s first stop was Goose Bay in northern Canada (a flight of four hours and 40 minutes); the second leg (which lasted three hours and 40 minutes) took them to Keflavik, Iceland; and the 328 made its final leg of the journey, to Southampton, in 50 minutes.

The company believes that the aircraft will prove to be popular with clients because it offers short field takeoff and landing performance, enabling the firm to serve many airports with smaller runways, which are inaccessible to some executive jets.

“There is a lot of demand for business aircraft that combine good operating characteristics with cabin spaciousness and comfort,” said ceo Mike Farge. 

“In the UK there is nothing like this in this size range, so we are really filling a niche. We are also working with new partners to package up leisure trips, including ski and golfing breaks, so we can take our clients closer to their ultimate destinations.”

The aircraft, which was once Fairchild Dornier’s corporate demonstrator, will be placed on the UK register as G-BJAC in October. IBA Group is carrying out the necessary registration work.

The turboprop sports an oak-panelled interior, which was designed and installed by Fairchild Corporation in San Antonio, Texas. The interior features a drinks cabinet, sideboard and fold down tables, as well as built-in television screens.

Another of Club328’s aircraft – the Dornier 328JET – which is primarily operated as a shuttle between Southampton and the Netherlands, has attracted some attention as the conveyance of choice for celebrities.

The 15-seat jet is featuring regularly on British reality TV show ‘The X Factor,’ transporting celebrity judges to locations throughout the UK.