9/11/1970: Britten-Norman Trislander's First Flight

DALLAS — Today, in 1970, the Britten-Norman Trislander, designed by John Britten and Desmond Norman, made its maiden flight.

The Trislander, a development of the Islander, was first flown in 1965. The duo designed it after identifying a market for a robust utility aircraft capable of operating from short, rough airstrips with minimal systems.

The Islander prototype G-AWTU was developed into the prototype Trislander. Its fuselage was stretched, and a third Lycoming O-540 piston engine was added to the tail. Initially designated the Islander MK.3, the aircraft appeared at the 1970 Farnborough Air Show.

Produced on the Isle of Wight, the Trislander did not enjoy the same success as the Islander. Production ended in 1982 after 73 had been sold. However, the Islander family fared much better, flying over 1250 aircraft over 50 years.

Aurigny Airlines

Guernsey-based Aurigny Airlines (GR) was the type's launch customer, putting it into service in July 1971. The airline became the world's largest operator, operating 15 in total. In April 2014, GR announced the retirement of its aging fleet. Three Dornier 228s were used as a replacement.

The airline's most famous Trislander, Joey, named after its registration G-JOEY, was saved from the scrapheap after launching a campaign to display the aircraft in Guernsey.

The aircraft made its last flight on June 28, 2015, after almost 40 years in service. In January 2019, the aircraft was unveiled at its new home, suspended from the ceiling at Oatlands Barn.

Featured image: The Britten-Norman Trislander novel's design won the Queen’s Award for Industry for Technological Innovation in 1975.