BostwanaBN- 2A-21 Defender / Islander

The Britten-Norman BN- 2A-21 Defender / Islander is a light utility aircraft manufactured by Britten-Norman of the United Kingdom.

Design of the Islander started in 1963 and the first prototype BN-2 first flew on 13 June 1965, with the second prototype on 20 August 1966. Both of these had engines that were less powerful than the production versions. The first production Islander first flew on 24 April 1967.

An improved version, the BN-2A Islander, first flew in 1969. It incorporated aerodynamic and flight equipment improvements as well as changes to the baggage arrangements.

The Defender, a military version of the Islander, first flew on 20 May 1970.

The Maritime Defender is another military version of the Islander, intended for search and rescue, coastal patrol and fishery protection.

General characteristics

* Crew: one or two pilots
* Capacity: up to nine passengers
* Length: 35 ft 8 in (10.86 m)
* Wingspan: 49 ft (14.94 m)
* Height: 13 ft 9 in (4.18 m)
* Wing area: 325 ft² (30.2 m²)
* Empty weight: 3,588 lb (1,627 kg)
* Loaded weight: up to 6,600 lb BN2A-20 onwards (2,994 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 6,600 lb (2,994 kg)
* Powerplant: 2× Lycoming O-540-E4C , 260 hp (195 kW) each

Performance

* Maximum speed: 170 mph (273 km/h)
* Range: 874 miles (1,400 km)
* Service ceiling: 13,200 ft (4,024 m)
* Rate of climb: 970 ft/min (295 m/min)
* Wing loading: 2 lb/ft² ()