Dornier Do 128-6 'D-IBUF' Celebrates 30 Years of Service in Aerospace Research
The Technical University of Brunswick's Institute of Flight Guidance is celebrating a significant milestone. Its unique research aircraft, a twin-engine propeller Dornier Do 128-6 registered as 'D-IBUF', has reached its 30th anniversary in service. This aircraft, the only one of its kind still flying worldwide, has been instrumental in various meteorological and navigation investigations. Equipped for diverse measurements, 'D-IBUF' has been in operation for three decades, clocking over 24,000 flight hours. It has provided multiple generations of students from the Technical University of Brunswick and other institutions the opportunity to participate in flights and conduct experiments. The aircraft, mainly active from March to October, has also flown in winter months and visited numerous European destinations, including the remote Arctic outpost of Svalbard, for research purposes. The University of Hamburg, which manages the aircraft, marks this anniversary with pride. 'D-IBUF' continues to play a crucial role in aerospace research and education, with its lifespan allowing for many more years of service and discovery.
