Britten-Norman Islander
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| Islander | |
|---|---|
 BN-2B Islander II operated by Ryukyu Air Commuter |
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| Type | Utility aircraft/Airliner |
| Manufacturer | Britten-Norman |
| Designed by | John Britten |
| Maiden flight | 12 June 1965 |
| Number built | 1280 |
| Variants | Trislander Defender |
The Britten-Norman Islander (also known as the BN-2) is a light utility aircraft, mainline airliner and cargo aircraft manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom. The Islander is the best-selling commercial aircraft type produced in Western Europe [1]. The Islander has recently found use in United Kingdom police aviation units.
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[edit] Design and development
Design of the Islander started in 1963 and the first prototype BN-2 first flew on 13 June 1965,[1] with the second prototype on 20 August 1966. Both of these had engines that were less powerful than the production versions. The first production Islander first flew on 24 April 1967.
[edit] Versions
An improved version, the BN-2A Islander, first flew in 1969. It incorporated aerodynamic and flight equipment improvements as well as changes to the baggage arrangements.
The Defender, a military version of the Islander, first flew on 20 May 1970.
The Maritime Defender is another military version of the Islander, intended for search and rescue, coastal patrol and fishery protection.
In 1978 a further improved version, the BN-2B Islander II was introduced. Improvements included increased carrying capacity and propeller modifications to reduce noise levels. Options included a long-nosed version for increased baggage capacity, raked wingtip auxiliary fuel tanks and twin Allison 250-B17C turboprop engines. When the latter are installed the aircraft is designated the BN-2T Turbine Islander.
An attempt to develop an Islander with a larger capacity resulted in the BN-2A Mk III Trislander. This aircraft has a stretched fuselage, modified landing gear and a third (tail-mounted) engine. The prototype was constructed from the original second BN-2 prototype and flew on 11 September 1970.
A number of companies in addition to Britten-Norman have manufactured the Islander. IRMA from Romania has been building the aircraft since 1969, while a factory, the SONACA (Fairey)[2], in Gosselies, Belgium has been building it since 1973. It has also been assembled in the Philippines.
[edit] Military operators
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- Philippine Air Force, used by 15th Strike Wing, until it was replaced by T-28 Trojan
- Philippine Navy, present operator, used for recon & liason duties
[edit] Civilian operators/Former operators
- OLT
- LFH
- Air Hamburg
- FLN Frisia Luftverkehr
- Aviones de Panama S.A.
- Aero Taxi
- PARSA
- ANSA
- TRANSPASA
- AVIATUR
- Air Panama (recently)
- Aero Taxis de CV
- Lady Elliot Island
- Golden Eagle Airlines
- Inter Island Airways - American Samoa
- Harbor Airlines; Oak Harbor, WA
- American Samoa Government (ASG) - American Samoa
[edit] Specifications (BN-2A Islander)
Data from The Observer's Book of Aircraft, 1976.
General characteristics
- Crew: one or two pilots
- Capacity: up to nine passengers
- Length: 35 ft 8 in (10.86 m)
- Wingspan: 49 ft (14.94 m)
- Height: 13 ft 9 in (4.18 m)
- Wing area: 325 ft² (30.2 m²)
- Empty weight: 3,675 lb (1,667 kg)
- Loaded weight: up to 6,600 lb BN2A-20 onwards (2,994 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 6,600 lb (2,994 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Lycoming O-540-E4C5, 260 hp (195 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 170 mph (273 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 160 mph (257 km/h)
- Range: 874 miles (1,400 km)
- Service ceiling 13,200 ft (4,024 m)
- Rate of climb: 970 ft/min (295 m/min)
- Wing loading: 20 lb/ft² (9.78 kg/m²)
[edit] See also
Related development
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
- ^ Green 1976, p. 52.
- ^ Belgian Aircraft History Association page about Fairey-SONACA
[edit] Bibliography
- Green, William. The Observer's Book of Aircraft. London. Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., 1976. ISBN 0-7232-1553-7
[edit] External links
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