Britten-Norman supplies Islander aircraft to Great Lakes Air

Above: Britten-Norman BN2A-26 Piston Islander G-BEXJ.
Courtesy Britten-Norman / photo John Le Ray

The aircraft is to be operated under FAR 135 and will keep passengers and freight on the move during winter months.
 
Great Lakes Air is an American Fixed-base Operator and charter airline based in Mackinac County Airport in St. Ignace, Alpena and Rogers City Michigan. Great Lakes Air began its air charter service from Mackinac County Airport serving various destinations throughout the State.
 
During the winter months, between mid-December and April, the lakes are frozen, cutting off Mackinac Island and Bois Blanc Island and preventing workers from reaching houses and tourist attractions in need of winter repairs, as well as stopping mail and freight. During those four months, Great Lakes Air operates a six-minute flight from 6.30am to 6.00pm that also delivers post and other essentials; in the winter of 2018/19 it moved c12,000 lbs of freight.
 
President, Great Lakes Air, Brad Shriner, was impressed by the Islander’s capabilities when he visited another FBO, Island Airways, across State: “The Islander is a fantastic aircraft – it can carry a higher number of passengers and larger amount of freight than the aircraft we have currently – and with greater fuel economy. It’s going to be a great addition to our fleet and is ideal for our mission.”
 
The Great Lakes Islander has been upgraded and is fitted with a Garmin G600 GTN glass suite with PFD/MFD represented on a 10” landscape display.

Britten-Norman, the UK’s only civil A2 approved aircraft manufacturer, has been designing and building aircraft for over 60 years. Models include the famous Islander and Trislander commuter variants and the latest Manned Airborne Surveillance/ISTAR platform, the Defender 4000.
 
The Company’s capabilities include subcomponent manufacturing, mission systems integration, test and trials, maintenance, repair and overhaul, aviation training and global customer support. Britten-Norman is backed by approvals from CAA (A8-21), EASA (21J/G, 145, 147, ATO & Part M) and the UK MoD (DAOS, MAOS & CFAOS).

The Islander is one of the world’s most successful and enduring aircraft designs. The aircraft’s international acclaim is attributed to its exemplary proven performance as a high capacity, multi-role, high frequency, rough terrain, short take off and landing workhorse.