Britten-Norman is this month celebrating a major milestone, as it was 60 years ago that the maiden flight of the first variant of the iconic Islander aircraft was undertaken.
First flown on 13th June 1965 from Bembridge Airport, the Islander was the result of a bold vision by John Britten and Desmond Norman to create a reliable, rugged aircraft that could go where others couldn’t. That same pioneering spirit is alive in the company today.
For 60 years, the Britten-Norman Islander has proven its strength and versatility in every corner of globe – from the Ecuadorian Amazon to remote Scottish islands, and from daily passenger routes to disaster relief and frontline operations.
Today’s Islanders benefit from ongoing enhancements in systems and avionics, helping operators meet modern demands while preserving the rugged DNA that made the type a global success.
While this anniversary is a moment of pride, it also marks the beginning of a new era for Britten-Norman, following major investment in 2024. Britten-Norman is scaling up aircraft production and growing its team to meet the needs of a global customer base.
William Hynett, Chief Executive at Britten-Norman, who will soon be stepping down from his role, has said:
“This anniversary is a proud moment, but our eyes are firmly on the future.
“We are investing in our people and in the continued evolution of the Islander to meet the needs of today’s operators and the challenges of tomorrow’s aviation.”
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To mark the exact 60th anniversary, the Britten-Norman production team gathered on Friday for a commemorative photo alongside the new aircraft production line. A special anniversary logo has also been released to mark the occasion.
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