The Britten-Norman BN-2B Islander is a twin-engine high-wing light
utility transport aircraft for up to nine passengers. Britten-Norman
Ltd. started in 1963 with the development of the BN-2, a 10 seat STOL
aircraft. The prototype BN-2, G-ATCT s/n 01, flew on 13 June 1965,
powered by two 210 hp Lycoming IO-360 engines. A production line for the BN-2
was set up at the Britten-Norman factory at Bembridge, Isle of Wight. The first production BN-2
Islander, G-ATWU s/n 2, flew on 20 August 1966. Deliveries of the
production model started on 13 August 1967, after UK CAA certification
was awarded on 10 August 1967. The first production BN-2 Islanders were
powered by two 260 hp Lycoming IO-540 engines. By 1968, demand for the Islander had outstripped
the capacity of the Bembridge factory. A contract was signed with the Romanian IRMA to build "green"
Islanders and deliver them to the UK for finishing. The BN-2 Islander was
developed further and in 1970, the BN-2 was replaced in production by
the improved BN-2A Islander. Despite the succes of the Islander, Britten Norman was
in grave financial difficulty by the end of 1970. In October 1971, the new company Britten-Norman (Bembridge) Ltd. was set up.
In August 1972, Britten-Norman (Bembridge) Ltd was sold to the Fairey Group and a new holding company, Fairey Britten Norman Ltd.
was established. Most of the Islander and Trilander production was moved to the Fairey S.A. factory in Gosselies, Belgium.
Islanders and Trislanders were produced in Romania, then shipped to Gosselies in Belgium for finishing and later flow to Bembridge in the UK for the
final flight certification. In 1977, the Fairey Group went in deep financial difficulties.
As a result, production slowed down and Britten-Norman got a new owner and became Pilatus Britten Norman Ltd. in July 1978. Production of the
Islanders returned to Bembridge. In July 1998, the company was renamed Britten-Norman Ltd., and from May 2000 it
became part of the B-N Group Limited. On 17 October 2007, Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd. was incorporated. After decades of using overseas
production lines in Romania, Britten-Norman has resumed manufacturing the Islander aircraft at its historic UK home of Bembridge on the Isle of Wight.
The first Islander whose airframe has been assembled in the United Kingdom from detail component level by Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd. since 1968:
BN2B-26 Islander serial number 2317 (registered as G-FRZT), flew first on 3 September 2026.
Over 1250 BN-2 aircraft are delivered since 1967, including production in the UK and Romania and military Defenders.
The ICAO Aircraft Type Designator for the Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander is BN2P. On 19 November 1975, twelve
Fairy Britten-Norman BN2A-21 Islander aircraft were ordered for the Belgian Army as replacement for the Dornier Do27 with 16 smaldeel
and with the School van het Licht Vliegwezen - Aviation Légère de la Force Terrestre (Light Aviation School). The aircraft were built at Fairey,
Gosselies, Belgium, and completed at Bembridge, Isle of Wight, UK. Deliveries were done between 25 May 1976 and 11 February 1977. During their
Belgian military service, a number of aircraft were converted from BN-2A-21 to BN-2B-21 standards. In late 2004, the last Islanders were withdrawn
from military service, and on 9 March 2005, this aircraft type was officially retired.
On 29 July 1997, Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander B-12 of the Belgian Army 'SLV-School Licht Vliegwezen' was seen at Brasschaat airfield (EBBT).
the life
cycle of the airframe is, as far as it could be determined, recorded in detail in the table below:
date
registration
details
1976
built by Fairey Britten-Norman, Gosselies, Belgium, as BN-2A-21 Islander s/n 553 from August 1976, ferried to Bembridge for fitting and painting at Britten-Norman (Bembridge), Bembridge Airport, Isle of Wight
27 September 1976
G-BELI
registered G-BELI as a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander by Britten-Norman (Bembridge) Limited
25 August 1977
G-BELI
on 25 Augustus 1977, registration G-BELI was cancelled as sold in Belgium
January 1977
B-12
in January 1977, the Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander entered service with the Belgian Army as B-12.
The aircraft used callsign OT-ALL. In service with the Belgian Army the Islander was operated by out of Brasschaat used a liaison aircraft and multi engine training.....
May 2004
B-12
in May 2004, Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander B-12 was withdrawn from use by the Belgian Army and stored
at Brasschaat airfield. In 2006, the ex Belgian Army Islanders that were stored at Brasschaat moved to Bembridge. In May 2006, the military airfiled Brasschaat closed.
In October 2006, a line of 5 ex Belgian Army Islanders (B-04; B-07; B-08; B-10 and B-12) were seen stored at Bembridge Airport, Isle of Wight. At the Britten-Norman Site
at Bembridge these Islanders were processed for the new customers.
8 August 2006
G-BELI
on 8 August 2006, the Islander was registered G-BELI by FLY BN Ltd., Bembridge Airport
21 January 2008
G-BELI
on 21 January 2008, BN-2A-21 Islander G-BELI was registered by Cowi A/S, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
19 February 2008
G-BELI
on 19 February 2008, regsitration G-BELI was cancelled as exported to Denmark
20 February 2008
OY-CKS
on 20 Fenruary 2008, the BN-2A-21 Islander was registered OY-CKS by Cowi A/S, Kongens Lyngby, and operated by COWI Aerial Survey
13 April 2018
OY-CKS
on 13 April 2018, BN-2A-21 Islander OY-CKS was registered with Copenhagen AirTaxi A/S, Roskilde
16 May 2025
OY-CKS
on 16 May 2025, BN-2A-21 Islander OY-CKS was transferred to a privat owner
25 June 2025
OY-CKS
on 25 June 2025, registration OY-CKS was cancelled as exported to France
26 June 2026
F-HPXA
0n 26 June 2026, the BN-2A-21 Islander was registered F-HPXA by Pixair Survey, Aeroport de Rouen/Vallée de Seine, Boos, France
