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Aircraft
IATA BNIICAO BN2P

Pilatus Britten-Norman BN-2A/B Islander

Pilatus
TravelerPulse profile

Rugged short-haul twin for island and remote routes.

First flight
1965
Category
Light piston/turboprop twin
Seating
9 passengers
Range
1,400 km
Engines
Two piston engines (typically Lycoming O-540 series) or optional turboprop conversion
Status
In service
The Britten-Norman Islander is a light, twin-engined utility aircraft developed in the United Kingdom during the 1960s. Designed by John Britten and Desmond Norman, it was conceived as an economical, easy-to-maintain aircraft capable of operating from short, unprepared airstrips in remote and island communities. The Islander entered service in 1967 and quickly became popular with regional operators, air taxi services, and charter companies worldwide. Its high-wing configuration, fixed undercarriage, and wide fuselage allow for easy boarding and versatile cargo loading. The BN-2A and BN-2B designations reflect successive production refinements. Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland acquired Britten-Norman in 1979, lending its name to the type designation. The aircraft remains in widespread service decades after its introduction, valued for its simplicity, reliability, and ability to access airfields that larger aircraft cannot serve.
Notable operators
Loganair, Cape Air, Winair, and numerous small regional and charter carriers worldwide have operated the Islander.
Notable facts
  • ›Over 1,200 Islanders have been built, making it one of the best-selling British commercial aircraft.
  • ›The aircraft features three entry doors, simplifying boarding and cargo handling.
  • ›A stretched, three-engined variant called the Trislander was also developed.
  • ›The Islander can operate from grass strips as short as 290 metres.
  • ›Production was carried out at Bembridge on the Isle of Wight and later in Romania and Belgium.
Read more on Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Specifications may be inaccurate or vary by variant/operator — verify with the manufacturer before relying on them.