Historic maiden flight for island-built plane

The first Islander aircraft to be built on the Isle of Wight in decades has completed its maiden flight.

For more than 50 years, the Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander was predominantly manufactured in Romania and finished in Bembridge.

But in 2023 production returned to the island, with staff growing from 100 to 180.

The new aircraft, which flew on Thursday, will be painted in the colours of the Falkland Islands Government Air Service before being flown to the South Atlantic to serve as a transport link.

Chief Operating Officer Richard Milne said: "We're taking control of the quality, we're taking control of the delivery and it's enabling us to schedule effectively and deliver aircraft on time."

"We're planning on ramping up to eight aircraft a year out of this facility here in Bembridge and by reassuring all of this work to the UK it's enabling us to meet that requirement in the next two years," he added.

The first Islander prototype flew in 1965 and was featured on the BBC's Tomorrow's World programme.

Since then about 1,250 Islanders have been delivered, with about 350 currently flying in more than 100 countries.

The aircraft, which usually carries one pilot and up to nine passengers, is used by medical services, armed forces and for aerial surveillance, and has a top speed of about 164mph (264kph).

Versions have included the Tri-lander and Defender.

Engineering apprentice Ellie Bayne said it was an "absolute joy" to see the plane take to the sky.

"We always had that belief, but it did feel like an enormous mountain and I can't believe that we finally reached the peak," she said.

New build manager Pete Dowers said: "It filled me with immense joy and satisfaction that yes, we can do it.

"It feels good that we're a company now that can start to teach the younger generation on what a fantastic job and prospects there is in this company."