AIRCRAFT - First fully UK-built Britten-Norman Islander begins ground testing

The first Islander to be fully built in the UK since Britten-Norman repatriated production to Bembridge has begun its ground test programme, with first flight planned for September.

Delivery to the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) will follow completion of flight testing and customer preparation, and the company is opening its production line to customers and media ahead of the aircraft’s formal launch later this year.


The aircraft was rolled out at the company’s Isle of Wight facility on 30 July, the day after electrical power was successfully applied for the first time. The roll-out followed the installation of the aircraft’s engines, propellers, cowlings, electrical systems, brakes and flight control surfaces and mechanisms, and came in sequence with the programme’s previous public milestones: 75% structural completion confirmed in June, power-on on 29th July, and roll-out the following day.


The aircraft is the first Islander to be fully assembled through Britten-Norman’s reshored UK production line, marking the return of complete civil Islander manufacturing to the United Kingdom following a period in which major assemblies were manufactured overseas prior to final assembly in the UK.


Behind this aircraft, the production line is already at work. A second airframe is progressing through the line, components for follow-on aircraft are in manufacture, and the company is establishing a continuous production cadence at Bembridge, supported by investment in new machinery, tooling and facilities and a workforce that has grown by more than 40% since production was reshored.


The new-build aircraft retains the qualities that have kept Islanders in service worldwide for more than five decades: low operating costs, rugged reliability and unmatched short-strip performance, now delivered through more modern manufacturing methods and tooling. This aircraft is built to the same standard its operators have always relied upon, an airframe with a proven track record of 50 years of service life.


Duane Stewart, General Manager of the Falkland Islands Government Air Service, said, “We’re delighted to see this new aircraft taking shape and look forward to welcoming it to the Falkland Islands. We’re incredibly grateful to Britten-Norman for their continued support and the strong relationship we have built over the decades. This new Islander will be a valuable addition to the FIGAS fleet and help us continue providing an essential service to our community for years to come.”
Peter McKenna, owner of Aer Arann, said, “Having been an Islander operator for more than 56 years, we are thrilled to see new Islanders coming off the line at Bembridge. Nothing rivals the rugged reliability of the Islander, and our fleet is testament to that. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Britten-Norman for many more years to come.”
 

First UK-built Islander passes 75% completion at Bembridge, on schedule for delivery

Britten-Norman has confirmed that the first new Islander to be produced through its fully reshored UK production line has reached 75% completion at the company’s Bembridge facility on the Isle of Wight, with final assembly scheduled in the coming weeks.

The aircraft, contracted to the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS), will be the first to be delivered from the new Bembridge line. A second airframe is now nearing 25% complete on the line, and components for follow-on aircraft are already in manufacture.

The new production line at Bembridge marks the return of full civil Islander manufacturing to the United Kingdom. Previously, major assemblies were manufactured overseas before final assembly in the UK. Since announcing its reshoring programme, Britten-Norman has invested in state-of-the-art CNC equipment and grown its workforce by more than 40%.

Since reaching 50% completion earlier this year, the build has advanced across every major area. Fuselage sub-assemblies and fin were joined at the end of Q1, fuel tank tests were completed, and the 15-metre wing assembly has been completed and attached to the fuselage. The airframe has been re-positioned on the production line, with installation of the undercarriage, engines, flight control surfaces and remaining systems well underway.

“Reaching the current level of completion is an excellent achievement for our team and a clear demonstration of the capability we have built at the Bembridge site.

“Each milestone and stage of completion brings us closer to delivering brand-new, British-built Islanders for our customers. The dedication and quality of work achieved by our team is outstanding.”

Richard Milne, Chief Operating Officer at Britten-Norman.

Beyond the aircraft now in production, Britten-Norman has Letters of Intent in place with operators across the regional passenger and special-mission sectors. Alongside the new-build programme, the company is investing in aftermarket parts availability and service to support a worldwide fleet of in-service Islanders.

With the first aircraft in advanced build, the second airframe on the line, and components for follow-on aircraft in manufacture, Britten-Norman is establishing a continuous UK production cadence and is on track to deliver the first new UK-built Islander to the customer as planned.

FLEET - Britten-Norman delivers BN2T-4S Islander Aircraft to Xen Aviation

Britten-Norman has delivered a BN2T-4S Islander to Xen Aviation & Services, marking the operator’s introduction of its first Islander aircraft as it prepares to launch regional operations in Guyana.

The aircraft was completed at Britten-Norman’s UK facility and will support Xen Aviation’s planned commuter services in Georgetown, becoming the first BN2T-4S Islander to operate in the country. The BN2T-4S is the enlarged turboprop variant of the Islander, offering approximately 30% more cabin space and an increased Maximum Take-Off Weight of 8,925lbs (4,408kg).

This delivery demonstrates our ability to provide operators with aircraft configured to a consistent, OEM-defined standard. The BN2T-4S combines turbine performance, modern avionics and the Islander’s proven short-field capability, supporting reliable operations in demanding environments worldwide.
Corrin Stapleton, Director of MRO, Britten-Norman

Powered by twin Rolls-Royce 250-B17F engines, it delivers enhanced performance while retaining the Islander’s long-established reputation as one of the world’s leading short take-off and landing aircraft.

Purpose-designed for reliable, day-to-day operations from short, challenging and infrastructure-limited airstrips, the BN2T-4S supports consistent access in environments where runway length, surface condition and weather variability are routine considerations. This capability is well-established across regions such as Guyana and the wider Caribbean, where the Islander has supported short-field operations from demanding and unprepared airstrips for decades.

The aircraft is equipped with a modern Garmin glass cockpit and integrated avionics suite, supporting enhanced situational awareness, operational safety and long-term supportability. The BN2T-4S can also be configured with full airframe de-icing, extending operational capability in more variable and demanding climates.

Britten-Norman continues to support operators worldwide with aircraft delivered to current operational standards, backed by OEM engineering, certification and through-life support. The BN2T-4S Islander is certified in the UK, EU, US, Canada and Guyana. The aircraft is approved for up to ten passengers, subject to local air operations regulations.

A spokesperson for Xen Aviation added: “Our operations depend on reliable access to remote and challenging airstrips, often in variable conditions. The BN2T-4S offers the twin-engine safety, performance, robustness and modern systems we wish to offer to our customers, while retaining the Islander’s well-established short-field capability. Completing the refurbishment directly with the manufacturer gave us additional assurance as we introduce the aircraft into service.”