BRITTEN-NORMAN BN TRISLANDER

Designed by John Britten and Desmond Norman, the Trislander is a further development of Britten-Norman’s better-known Islander aircraft in order to give it a larger carrying capacity. In comparison with the Islander, the Trislander has a stretched fuselage, strengthened, fixed tricycle landing gear and a third engine on the fuselage centre line atop the fin. The Trislander has exceptional low speed handling characteristics, extended endurance, increased payload, low noise signature and economical operating costs. Capable of taking off from a 492 yard long landing strip, the Trislander can readily operate from unprepared surfaces.

The prototype of the Trislander, which was constructed from the original second Islander prototype, first flew on 11 September 1970.The type entered service in July 1971. Initial production ceased in 1982 after 73 had been sold and delivered, with a further seven Trislanders unsold.

Aircraft of similar role, configuration and era are: de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, Dornier Do 228, GAF Nomad, Let L-410 Turbolet.