The Britten-Norman BN-2A 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. 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 20 January 1987, Pilatus Britten-Norman Limited, Bembridge Airport,
Isle of Wight, registered the BN-2A-26 Islander s/n 2037 as G-BNEB. On
28 March 1987, the Islander was delivered to Japan and on 15 April 1987,
registration G-BNEB was cancelled as exported to Japan. On 24 April 1987,
the Islander was registered JA5284 in Japan with NAW - Nagasaki Airways.
On 7 November 2001, the 1987-built Islander was registered OY-PPP in Denmark
with Alpha Aircraft Sales A/S as owner and Air Alpha AS as operator. On 16
September 2002, the BN-2A-26 Islander was registered ZK-MSF with Real Journeys Ltd,
Queenstown, and the aircraft entered service with Milford Sound Flightseeing. On 29
September 2009, the ZK-MSF was registered with Milford Sound Flights Ltd., Queenstown. In the summer of 2013,
German Islander operrator OFD, acquired the Islanders ZK-MSF and ZK-TSS from Milford Sound Flightseeing in New Zealand.
On 18 September 2013, both aircraft landed at Bremerhafen after a 14 days journey from New Zealand to Germany. On 19
September 2013, the Islander was registered D-IOLM with OFD Ostfriesischer-Flugdienst, Emden. On 24 April 2015,
Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander D-IOLM was seen at Flugplatz Emden waiting for passengers for the next flight to Borkum,
one of the East Frisian Islands.
