Britten-Norman has begun ground testing the first BN2B-26 Islander completed on its reshored UK production line at Bembridge on the Isle of Wight for the Falkland Islands Government Air Service. The aircraft rolled out on 30 July and is scheduled for first flight in September, with delivery to the Falklands to follow after flight testing and customer preparation.
The aircraft is the first Islander fully built in Britain since Britten-Norman returned production to Bembridge, a milestone for the long-running twin turboprop programme and for UK regional aerospace manufacturing. The latest airframe is being prepared with engines, propellers, cowlings, electrical systems, brakes and flight controls already installed before the ground-test phase.
FIGAS operates Islanders across the Falkland Islands, where short, remote runways make the type’s short take-off and landing performance especially useful. The new aircraft will support inter-island connectivity across the South Atlantic territory, while also extending the operator’s fleet renewal programme. Delivery is still pending and has not yet been completed.