FAA certifies largest and most powerful Islander
British aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman obtained U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification for the BN2T-4S Islander aircraft. The aircraft is powered by Rolls Royce 250 engines and is the larger and more powerful variant of the BN2B Islander. It also has an increased maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), reaching 8,500 pounds (about 4,000 kilograms).
This is an important milestone for Britten-Norman as this certification opens up new markets for the company in the U.S. This approval complements the existing type certificates for the aircraft granted by the UK CAA and Europe’s EASA. BN2T-4S Islanders are currently manufactured at the company’s Solent, Daedalus, and Bembridge (UK) facilities.
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Mark Shipp, Britten-Norman’s technical director, commented on this, «Obtaining type certification for any aircraft is a huge achievement and requires enormous effort and hard work to satisfy the regulator that the product is not only safe but also meets the most stringent certification standards. The U.S. is the largest aviation market in the world. Also, the FAA is a highly recognized regulator worldwide, so we are very proud to have achieved this important goal for our Islander. We are excited about the opportunities this certification will provide.»
The BN-2 Islander is a high-wing monoplane with a rectangular fuselage and two wing-mounted engines. Early aircraft, manufactured in the 1960s, were equipped with piston engines, while later production models may alternatively be equipped with turboprop engines. Generally used for single-pilot operations, it can carry up to nine passengers with each row accessed through its own door. In addition, the cabin can be quickly reconfigured, allowing a single aircraft to perform a diverse range of tasks in a minimal period of time.
Britten-Norman is pursuing certification of the BN2T-4S Islander in India and Canada.
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