First Islander from reshored Britten-Norman production line begins ground testing

Britten-Norman has begun ground testing the first Islander to be manufactured entirely in the UK since the company brought production back to its historic Bembridge facility on the Isle of Wight.

The aircraft, currently registered G-FRZT, is expected to complete its first flight in September. It will then undergo further flight testing and customer preparation before delivery to the Falkland Islands Government Air Service (FIGAS) later this year.

The milestone represents an important step in Britten-Norman’s strategy to rebuild domestic aircraft manufacturing capability and establish continuous Islander production at Bembridge.

First reshored Islander moves towards flight

The aircraft was rolled out on 30 July after electrical power was successfully applied the previous day.

Major assembly work has included the installation of its engines, propellers, cowlings, brakes, electrical systems and flight control surfaces. Britten-Norman said ground testing and final systems checks would now continue ahead of the first flight.

The completed aircraft is the first to pass through the company’s reshored production line in its entirety. Major Islander assemblies were previously manufactured in Romania before being transported to the UK for final assembly.

Returning production to Bembridge has required investment in new machinery, tooling and facilities, as well as the rebuilding of manufacturing skills. Britten-Norman said its workforce has grown by more than 40% since production was repatriated.

Richard Milne, Chief Operating Officer at Britten-Norman, said the decision was intended to give the company greater control over production, improve supply chain resilience and support increased output.

“To see the first Islander from our repatriated UK production line come together, from producing and sourcing the many parts to roll-out, is a testament to the skill and commitment of everyone at Bembridge,” he said.

Britten-Norman targets continuous UK production

A second Islander is already progressing through the Bembridge production line, while components for subsequent aircraft are also being manufactured.

The company is working towards a continuous production cadence, supported by the expanded workforce and investment made during the reshoring programme. Greater domestic control should allow Britten-Norman to improve production reliability while retaining specialist aerospace skills within the company and its UK supply chain.

The first aircraft is destined for FIGAS, which uses Islanders to connect communities across the Falkland Islands. The aircraft’s short take-off and landing performance, rugged construction and ability to operate from challenging airstrips make it particularly suited to the territory.

FIGAS General Manager Duane Stewart said: “We’re delighted to see this new aircraft taking shape and look forward to welcoming it to the Falkland Islands.”

The delivery will continue a longstanding relationship between the operator and Britten-Norman, while marking the first commercial result from the manufacturer’s revived end-to-end UK production capability.