Britten-Norman BN-2B Islander

The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander is a twin-engine short take-off and landing (STOL) airliner and transport which was originally developed on the Isle of Wight. The Islander has been in constant production since 1965 and is a very popular `bush` plane used to ferry passengers – often holidaymakers and supplies into small or unprepared airfields in remote areas or on island chains. The Islanders has also become popular with many militaries as a liaison and surveillance aircraft with a specialist version known as the Defender.

The Channel Islands Air Search are a voluntary service providing search and rescue in the Channel Islands area and often work with rescue centres based in the Channel Islands, France and England using the callsign ‘Air Search One’. Based out of Guernsey Airport, their single Islander operates alongside rescue helicopters and lifeboats utilising surface radars, night vision and smoke floats among other techniques to locate those in distress and to guide rescuers to them. The aircraft can be spotted when in the air on ADSB tracking software as ‘2CIAS’ and can be airborne for three hours at a time before the crew of five has to be changed.

Taking a rare break from being on stand-by, the Channel Islands Air Search will be sending their only heavily modified Islander to take part in our static display at RIAT25 as part of our Eyes in the Skies theme.

For more information about the Channel Island Air Search and the capabilities of their Islander visit their website at www.ci-airsearch.com

Photo Credit: CIAS