Britten-Norman completes maiden flight of first UK-built Islander

Britten-Norman has flown the first Islander aircraft built at its Isle of Wight production line since full manufacturing returned to the UK in 2023. The company confirmed the maiden test flight took place on September 3, 2026, eight days after ground testing began.

The airframe was built at Bembridge from detail components, the planemaker said. The flight followed a rollout at the facility on July 30, 2026. Britten-Norman described the moment as the culmination of three years of work.

Production of the Islander began in the UK in 1967, but the bulk of manufacturing moved to Romania less than a year later. The Isle of Wight team continued aircraft completion work. Three years ago, the company said rising costs in Romania prompted the decision to return full production to Bembridge.

The aircraft is destined for the Falkland Islands Government Air Service fleet. A second airframe is progressing through the line and is nearly 25% complete, according to Britten-Norman, with components for follow-on aircraft in manufacture.