Another Islander for the Armed Forces of Malta

Another Islander for the Armed Forces of Malta

The Air Squadron of the AFM has just taken delivery of its second Pilatus Britten Norman BN-2B-26 Islander. The AFM acquired its first Islander on the 5th December 1995.

The AFM owned aircraft, now bearing its Maltese Registration marks 9H-ADF, has been flown to Malta from the UK by AFM Pilots: Lt. Mark Said and Lt. George Abela. They were accompanied by Capt. Alex Dalli, the Air Squadron's Commander and Lt. Thomas Briffa as Chief Engineer. The Maltese crew took off from the UK base on the morning of Thursday the 24th September and is expected to land at the Air Squadron Base late at night on Friday 25th.

The Islander is a 10-seater fixed wing aircraft and its versatility has attracted a number of customers worldwide. It has an economic cruising speed of 150 miles per hour at 12,000 feet. It can fly up to 870 miles non-stop at cruising speed with a full payload of 1,300 Kgs. In the past years, the Air Squadron has made full use of this aircraft's flying capabilities. It has been successfully used in Search and rescue operations and Maritime Surveillance.

Furthermore, it has also been used occasionally to transport military delegations to overseas destinations. The arrival of a second aircraft will give the Air Squadron a significant boost to its operational capabilities.

This aircraft has been purchased from the makers Britten Norman of the UK. It performed its first flight in 1987 bearing registration number G-LIPP.

25.09.98