Britten-Norman flies first fully UK-built Islander

Britten-Norman has completed the maiden flight of the first Islander with an airframe fully manufactured in the United Kingdom from individual components. The BN2B-26 took off from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight on 3 September and is now part of the flight test programme.

The manufacturer has brought complete airframe production back to Bembridge after years of receiving large assemblies from Romania for final assembly in the UK. A second airframe is already under construction.

Britten-Norman aims to produce up to eight aircraft per year on a continuous basis. The new Islander, serial number 2317, is destined for the Falkland Islands Government Air Service.

On delivery it will be the 1,254th Islander built.