Britten-Norman’s BN2T Islander is now type certified by Transport Canada, the company announced this week. The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce B17 turboprops with Hartzell three-bladed props, and the cockpit is equipped with Garmin’s G600TXi avionics. Other upgrades to the classic model include low-drag fairings and an updated interior with ergonomic leather club seats. Originally designed in the 1960s, more than 750 of the airplanes are in service worldwide, many serving as support for the military and police.
In Canada, the Islander serves in a variety of roles, including cargo and air ambulance, working from remote strips in the Yukon, Quebec and Labrador. The airplane can take off in as little as 620 feet. It’s also used as a platform for sport parachuting. Canadian certification of the more powerful Turbine Islander is now underway, and will offer increased payload for operators.The company says it also is making progress toward FAA approval for a militarized version of the aircraft.
