+ British aircraft order

A British aircraft that first flew 13 June 1965 is still taking orders.

Britten-Norman (BN) and Malta-based SJC Group have signed a Letter of Intent for two factory-new Islander aircraft, with an option for a third.  They will be assembled at Bembridge, Isle of Wight, the traditional home of BN.

The BN Islander is very much a utility aircraft, normally with a single pilot, unpressurised, carrying up to nine passengers.  To date just under 1,300 have been built with over 700 still in service for commercial and military operators.  

Capable of carrying 18 passengers the 1970s saw the Trislander stretched development with a third engine mounted on the tailfin.  Sitting towards the back it was somewhat noisy.  Channel Islands operator Aurigny flew the aircraft for many years, but these have now been withdrawn from service.

The two new BN Islander aircraft will be operated by SJC Group to establish a new company focused on building a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft, intended to be used as transport aircraft for routes in the Mediterranean, Europe, and North Africa.  The aircraft’s low operating cost, short take-off and landing (STOL) performance and high availability rates have made the Islander clearly the ideal solution for Gulf Med Aviation Services’ operations opportunities.  Avionics are supplied by technology leader Garmin with a glass cockpit.  Some of the Islander is antiquated but in other areas it is very much up to date with a hydrogen-powered version expected in 2026.

The Islander has operated successfully around the islands of Malta and Gozo for a number of years as a patrol aircraft for the Maltese Government. The aircraft also provides a lifeline service for search and rescue operations around the islands’ 200 miles of coastline.

https://britten-norman.com

Index/Home page
 

READERS' COMMENT

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 200 words maximum

John small, Jersey

I used to fly on a regular basis in a Trislander between Guernsey and Jersey. The trick was to grab a seat near the front, but it was still the noisiest flight ever. I pity those who sat at the back.