Britten-Norman Bn-2t Turbine Islander

Twin Turboprop

The Britten-Norman BN-2T Turbine Islander is the turboprop-powered variant of the legendary BN-2 Islander, one of the most successful light utility aircraft ever built. First flown in 1980, the BN-2T replaces the original piston engines with Allison 250-B17C turboprops, delivering significantly improved hot-and-high performance, reduced vibration, and enhanced reliability for operators in challenging environments. The conversion transforms the already-rugged Islander into an even more capable workhorse for short-haul passenger service, cargo operations, parachute jumping, surveillance, and island-hopping routes where paved runways are a luxury. With its fixed tricycle gear, high wing, and exceptional short-field performance, the BN-2T can operate from grass strips, beaches, and unprepared surfaces as short as 1,000 feet. Its boxy fuselage accommodates up to nine passengers or equivalent cargo, and the large cabin doors make loading bulky freight straightforward. The type's slow-speed handling and docile stall characteristics make it forgiving for pilots transitioning from singles, while its twin-engine redundancy provides peace of mind over water and remote terrain. Though never produced in large numbers compared to its piston sibling, the BN-2T carved out a loyal following among operators needing turbine power in a simple, maintainable airframe. SkyMeter has tracked 13 flights across 4 airframes and 2 operators over routes, with Draken Europe the largest observed operator.