A fleet of five Britten-Norman BN2B-26 Islanders used in the Falkland Islands in the Southern Atlantic are having their avionic systems upgraded in a programme that will extend their operational lives by at least another 10 years.
The aircraft manufacturer has completed the first in a series of avionics upgrades for the fleet of BN2B-26 Islanders owned and operated by the Falkland Island Government Aviation Services (FIGAS). The service has evolved originally from air ambulance, mail service and carriage of officials to now encompass passengers, freight, fishery patrol and scenic flights, with ground-based tourists and local passengers now making up most of the traffic. The aircraft hop to almost 30 different airfields located in the East and West mainlands.
The avionics are being upgraded to the Garmin G600 glass cockpit standard including the GTN650/750 GPS/NAV/COMM, GTX335R remote transponder and electronic engine instruments. One aircraft will also be equipped with the Garmin GWX70 weather radar. The contract also includes fitting an entirely new bespoke instrument panel to suit each airframe, and a separate contract to upgrade the aircraft from 50-amp to 70-amp generators.
All of the Islanders will undergo an aircraft strip out, re-fit, testing and certification.
Kurt Whitney, quality manager at FIGAS, said that with its multi-role capability and suitability for high frequency, short-haul operations, the aircraft is ideal for FIGAS operations and the Falklands environment. “Some of the aircraft are now more than 30 years old and the choice was whether to replace the aircraft or upgrade what we have. With this new avionics suite, the aircraft will be good for at least another 10 years when we can re-assess our future needs.”
Whitney added that passenger demand is on the increase: “We operate very much as an internal air taxi, and with the steady increase in tourism, our passenger numbers increased by more than one thousand this season (the winter to summer season).”
One aircraft has already been successfully upgraded and the next is due to be upgraded in April. The remaining aircraft will be completed by 2019.
