Final assembly approaches as the Falklands-bound aircraft reaches 75% completion on Britten-Norman's reshored production line.
The first Islander destined for the Falkland Islands Government Air Service has reached 75% completion at Britten-Norman's Bembridge facility, bringing the operator a step closer to receiving the first aircraft produced through the manufacturer's fully reshored UK production line.
Final assembly is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks on the Isle of Wight, where the aircraft is being built as part of the return of full civil Islander manufacturing to the UK. The FIGAS aircraft will become the first delivery from the new Bembridge line.
The milestone also reflects wider progress across Britten-Norman's production programme. A second airframe has already reached nearly 25% completion, while components for follow-on aircraft are in manufacture as the company establishes a continuous production cadence.
Since announcing its reshoring programme, Britten-Norman has invested in CNC manufacturing equipment and expanded its workforce by more than 40%. Previously, major Islander assemblies were manufactured overseas before final assembly in the UK.
Since reaching 50% completion earlier this year, the FIGAS aircraft has progressed across all major build areas. Fuselage sub-assemblies and the fin were joined at the end of the first quarter, fuel tank testing has been completed and the aircraft's 15-metre wing assembly has been attached to the fuselage.
The airframe has since been repositioned on the production line, with installation of the undercarriage, engines, flight control surfaces and remaining systems well underway.
Richard Milne, chief operating officer at Britten-Norman, says: “Reaching the current level of completion is an excellent achievement for our team and a clear demonstration of the capability we have built at the Bembridge site. Each milestone and stage of completion brings us closer to delivering brand-new, British-built Islanders for our customers. The dedication and quality of work achieved by our team is outstanding.”
Beyond the aircraft currently in production, Britten-Norman has secured letters of intent from operators in the regional passenger and special-mission sectors. The company is also investing in aftermarket parts availability and support services for the global Islander fleet as it prepares to deliver the first new UK-built aircraft from the reshored production line.
