View source for Engineering:Britten-Norman Trislander

{{Short description|Three-engined piston airliner of the Britten-Norman BN-2 family 1970}}
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
  |name = Trislander
  |image = File:G-FTSE Trislander Aurigny Air Services (7003405361).jpg
  |caption = Aurigny Air Services Trislander 
}}{{Infobox aircraft type
  |type = Airliner
  |national origin= United Kingdom
  |manufacturer = Britten-Norman
  |designer = 
  |first flight = 11 September 1970
  |introduction = 
  |retired = 
  |status = In service
  |primary user = Vieques Air Link
  |more users = Roraima Airways
  |produced = 1970–1982
  |number built = 80
  |developed from = Britten-Norman Islander
  |variants with their own articles = <!-- variants OF the topic type -->
}}
|}

The '''Britten-Norman Trislander''' (more formally designated the '''BN-2A Mk III Trislander''') is a [[Engineering:Trimotor|three-engined]] piston-powered utility [[Engineering:Aircraft|aircraft]] designed and produced by the British aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman.

The Trislander was designed in the late 1960s as an expanded derivative of the company's Islander, a twin-engined commercial aircraft that had proved to be a commercial success. In comparison to its predecessor, it had a larger carrying capacity, being capable of seating up to 18 passengers, and could also perform [[Engineering:STOL|STOL]] operations when required.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/type-certificates/aircraft-cs-25-cs-22-cs-23-cs-vla-cs-lsa/easaa389 |title = Type Certificate No. EASA.A.389 for BN2A Mark III Trislander |publisher = easa.europa.eu |date = 23 November 2020}}</ref> On 11 September 1970, the prototype Trislander performed its [[Engineering:Maiden flight|maiden flight]]; the type entered revenue service less than a year later.

Being marketed primarily as a [[Engineering:Regional airliner|feederliner]] and mostly sold to civilian operators, the Trislander was primarily manufactured at the company's facility on the Isle of Wight between 1970 and 1982. Later on, the Trislander was also produced in Romania, and delivered via Belgium to Britain for [[Engineering:Airworthiness certificate|certification]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.bnhistorians.co.uk |title = Home |publisher = BN Historians |access-date = 6 June 2014}}</ref> Several different commuter airlines have operated the Trislander in scheduled passenger services, the largest being the Guernsey-based operator Aurigny, which flew the type for over 40 years. Despite plans to produce the Trislander at the American manufacturer International Aviation Corporation (IAC) as the ''Tri-Commutair'', these did not come to fruition.

==Design and development==
During the 1960s, the British aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman, founded by John Britten and Desmond Norman, had designed and commenced production of the Islander, a twin-engined commercial aircraft that quickly proved itself to be a commercial success.<ref name = "ain 40">{{cite web |last = Goold |first = Ian |url = http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2006-10-16/britten-norman-islander-celebrates-40th-anniversary |title = Britten-Norman Islander celebrates 40th anniversary |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170915121721/http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2006-10-16/britten-norman-islander-celebrates-40th-anniversary |archive-date = 15 September 2017 |publisher = AIN Online |date = 16 October 2006}}</ref> Being keen to capitalise on the Islander, the company's management opted to pursue development of a larger aircraft that would be derived from its predecessor as to benefit from commonalities and to lower development costs. In 1968, the company flew a stretched variant of the aircraft, known as the ''BN-2E Islander Super'', however, this model was never pursued through to certification in favour of a more radical alternative design - the Trislander.<ref name = "ain 40"/>

[[File:Britten-Norman BN-2A Mk III Trislander Roraima Airways-9921 (6) - Flickr - Ragnhild & Neil Crawford.jpg|thumb|Head-on view of a Trislander. Note the third engine on the tailfin]]
Seeking to give the aircraft a considerably larger carrying capacity, the Islander's fuselage was stretched and strengthened considerably for the Trislander, a measure that necessitated various configuration changes The most visually apparent of these was the addition of a third engine located on the fuselage centre line atop an elongated tailfin.<ref name = "ain 40"/> A fixed [[Engineering:Tricycle landing gear|tricycle landing gear]] arrangement was also adopted. While possessing an unorthodox appearance, the arrangement proved practical; in terms of construction, the Trilander was similar enough to the Islander that the two aircraft shared the same final assembly line.<ref name = "ain 40"/>

The prototype of the Trislander was constructed from the original second prototype of the Islander; it performed its [[Engineering:Maiden flight|maiden flight]] on 11 September 1970.<ref name="jawa76 p176-7">Taylor, John W. R. ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77''. London: Jane's Yearbooks, 1976. {{ISBN|0-354-00538-3}}, pp. 176-177.</ref> Confidence in the type was such that it appeared at the Farnborough Air Show that same day.<ref name = "ain 40"/> Britten-Norman opted to principally promote the Trislander to prospective operators as a [[Engineering:Regional airliner|feederliner]]; foreseen secondary roles included its potential use by military air services as well.<ref name = "ain 40"/>

In terms of its flying characteristics, the Trislander possesses exceptional low speed handling characteristics, extended endurance, increased payload, and a relatively low noise signature. Capable of taking off from a {{convert|492|ft|m|order=flip}} long landing strip, the Trislander can readily operate from unprepared surfaces. It was also promoted for its economical operating costs. Some variants came equipped with [[Engineering:Propeller (aeronautics)#Feathering|auto-feathering]] propellers and auxiliary rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO) apparatus.<ref name = "ain 40"/>

==Operational history==
During July 1971, the Trislander entered service with the Guernsey-based Aurigny, one month after the deliveries of the type had commenced.<ref name="AI1015 p123">{{cite journal |last = Cunliffe |first = Charles |title = Trislander Sunset |journal = Air International |date = October 2015 |volume = 89 |number = 4 |issn = 0306-5634 |page = 123}}</ref> Aurigny would be the largest operator of the type, operating 16 Trislanders at its peak.<ref name="AI1015 p123"/> In May 2017, Aurigny opted to withdraw all of its Trislanders,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.itv.com/news/channel/2017-05-31/aurigny-trislander-takes-final-commercial-flight/ |title = Aurigny Trislander takes final commercial flight |date = 31 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title = Trislander for Solent Sky |magazine = Aeroplane |date = May 2017 |volume = 45 |issue = 5 |page = 10 |issn = 0143-7240}}</ref> the type having been replaced by newer [[Engineering:Dornier 228|Dornier 228]]s.<ref>{{cite news |title = Aurigny Dornier 'should' arrive in Alderney in October |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-29423354 |access-date = 14 March 2016 |publisher = BBC News |date = 30 September 2014 |archive-date = 30 November 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141130022505/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-29423354 |url-status = live}}</ref> One of the ex-Aurigny Trislanders has been preserved and placed on display at the Imperial War Museum Duxford in the UK while another aircraft is displayed at Oaty & Joey's play barn at Oatlands in Guernsey.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford |title = Imperial War Museum Duxford}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1 = Baudains |first1 = Nigel |title = Joey's new home attracts crowds despite 'soft launch' |url = https://guernseypress.com/news/2019/01/02/joeys-new-home-attracts-crowds-despite-soft-launch/ |access-date = 28 March 2021 |work = Guernsey Press |date = 2 January 2019 |archive-date = 21 October 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211021190046/https://guernseypress.com/news/2019/01/02/joeys-new-home-attracts-crowds-despite-soft-launch/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

Following the acquisition of Britten-Norman by the Fairey Aviation Group in August 1972 and the formation of the Fairey Britten-Norman company; the majority of manufacturing activity for both the Islander and Trislander was transferred to its Avions Fairey factory in Gosselies, Belgium.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigator/Belgian_Aviation_History/Industry/Sonaca.htm |title = Avions Fairey Gosselies & Sonaca: a Tips of genie |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100620005139/http://www.baha.be/Webpages/Navigator/Belgian_Aviation_History/Industry/Sonaca.htm |archive-date = 20 June 2010 |publisher = Belgian Aircraft History Association |access-date = 25 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last = Fricker |first = John |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=SOUUuRXEFmoC&pg=PA271 |title = Past and Present |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160411025505/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=SOUUuRXEFmoC&pg=PA271 |archive-date = 11 April 2016 |magazine = Flying |date = September 1977 |volume = 101 |issue = 3 |issn = 0015-4806 |page = 271}}</ref> All production activity of the type in Britain ceased in 1982, by which point 73 Trilanders had been delivered while a further seven aircraft were complete but unsold; that same year, Pilatus Britten Norman sold a [[Social:Licensed production|manufacturing license]] to the American manufacturer International Aviation Corporation (IAC). IAC had planned to produce an initial batch of 12 Trislanders (which were to be marketed under the name ''Tri-Commutair''s) from parts kits supplied by Britten-Norman before undertaking full production,<ref name="jawa82 p268, 395">{{cite book |last = Taylor |first = John W. R. |title = Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1982–83 |location = London, UK |publisher = Jane's Yearbooks |date = 1982 |isbn = 0-7106-0748-2 |pages = 268, 392}}</ref> however, these plans ultimately came to nothing.<ref>{{cite web |last = Trevett |first = John |title = Commuter Aircraft Directory: International Aviation Corp (USA) |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1985/1985%20-%201425.html |publisher = Flight International |date = 11 May 1985 |page = 47}}</ref>

Into the 2020s, companies have continued to operate the Trislander; a number have been made available for private entities to hire.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.privatefly.com/private-jets/turboprop-hire/BN2A-Trislander.html |title = BN2A Trislander |publisher = privatefly.com |access-date = 27 April 2023}}</ref>

==Variants==
;BN-2A Mk III-1: First production version, with short nose.

;BN-2A Mk III-2: Lengthened nose and higher operating weight.

;BN-2A Mk III-3: Variant certified for operation in the {{wipe|United States}}.

;BN-2A Mk III-4: III-2 fitted with {{cvt|350|lb|kg}} rocket-assisted takeoff equipment.

;BN-2A Mk III-5: III-2 with sound-proofed cabin, modernised cockpit/interior and new engines (proposed, unbuilt as yet).

;Trislander M : Proposed military version, not built.


==Operators==
===Current operators===
;{{flag|Anguilla}}
* Anguilla Air Services<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/78194-anguilla-air-services-adds-maiden-trislander |title = Anguilla Air Services adds maiden Trislander |publisher = ch-aviation.com}}</ref>
;{{flag|Guyana}}
* Roraima Airways<ref>{{cite web |url = http://guyanachronicle.com/roraima-unveils-britten-norman-trislander/ |title = Roraima unveils Britten Norman Trislander |publisher = guyanachronicle.com |date = 26 April 2016}}</ref>
;{{flag|Puerto Rico}}
* Air Flamenco
* Vieques Air Link

===Former operators===
[[File:Aurigny Air Services Britten-Norman BN-2A Mk3-2 Trislander Haafke-1.jpg|thumb|Aurigny Air Services Trislander]]
[[File:G-rhop-esh.jpg|thumb|Blue Islands Trislander]]
[[File:Great Barrier Aircraft-2219.jpg|thumb|Great Barrier Airlines Trislander]]

;{{flag|Antigua and Barbuda}}
* LIAT<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.liat.com/ |title = LIAT: the caribbean airline |website = www.liat.com}}</ref>
;{{flag|Australia}}
* Aerodata
* Air Queensland 
;{{BAH}}
* Lucaya Air
;{{CAN}}
* Burrard Air Ltd.
* Questor Surveys Ltd.
;{{flag|Colombia}}
* Tavina
;{{flag|Costa Rica}}
* Travel Air 
;{{flag|Botswana}}
* Botswana Defence Force Air Wing 
;{{flag|Cayman Islands}}
* Cayman Airways 
;{{FIJ}}
* [[Biology:Fiji Airways|Air Pacific]]
* Air Fiji
;{{flag|Guernsey}}
* Aurigny<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.aurigny.com/ |title = aurigny.com – channel islands |access-date = 1 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080913094239/http://www.aurigny.com/ |archive-date = 13 September 2008 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
;{{flag|Isle of Man}}
*Manx Airlines 
;{{JAM}}
* Trans-Jamaican Airlines 
;{{flag|Jersey}}
* Blue Islands<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.blueislands.com/flying-with-us/aircraft-fleet |title = Aircraft fleet, Blue Islands aircraft fleet, Blue Islands ATR aircraft - Blue Islands |website = www.blueislands.com}}</ref> 
;{{flag|Liberia}}
* Air Liberia 
;{{PHL}}
* PinoyAir
;{{NZL}}
* Barrier Air<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.barrierair.kiwi/about-us/fleet/ |title = Barrier Air. Fleet |website = Barrier Air}}</ref> 
;{{flag|Sierra Leone}}
* Sierra Leone Airways 
;{{TWN}}
* Taiwan Airways
;{{TCA}}
* Turks & Caicos Airways
;{{flag|United Kingdom}}
* Air Ecosse 
* Air Sarnia
* Emerald Airways 
* Lydd Air<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.lyddair.com/-our-fleet.html |title = Our fleet |publisher = lyddair.com}}</ref>
* Loganair<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.loganair.co.uk/loganair/aircraft |title = Loganair :: Aircraft – Loganair |access-date = 3 December 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208053608/http://www.loganair.co.uk/loganair/aircraft# |archive-date = 8 December 2015 |url-status = dead}}</ref> 
* National Airways
* Rockhopper Aero
* Sky Trek
* Willow Air
* XP - Express Parcel Systems
;{{USA}}
* Air Flamenco
* Air St. Thomas
* Air South
* Cen-Tex Airlines
* Channel Islands Aviation (based at the Oxnard Airport)
* Slocum Airlines
* Stol Air Commuter (renamed WestAir Commuter Airlines) 
* Tri Air
* Wings Airways 
;{{VAN}}
* Vanair 
* Unity-Airlines
;{{VEN}}
* Chapi Air 
* Sol America

==Accidents and incidents==
On 5 July 2009, a Trislander belonging to Great Barrier Airlines (now Barrier Air) lost its starboard side prop six minutes into a flight from Great Barrier Island, [[Earth:New Zealand|New Zealand]], to [[Place:Auckland|Auckland]]. The prop sheared off and impacted the fuselage, prompting a successful emergency landing. While there were injuries, no deaths were reported. The accident was caused by undetected corrosion of the propeller flange which led to its eventual failure.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.taic.org.nz/ReportsandSafetyRecs/AviationReports/tabid/78/ctl/Detail/mid/482/InvNumber/2009-004/Page/0/language/en-US/Default.aspx?SkinSrc= |title = Investigation 09-004 Report 09-004, Britten Norman BN2A-Mk III Trislander, ZK-LOU loss of engine propeller assembly, near Claris, Great Barrier Island, 5 July 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111003103346/http://www.taic.org.nz/ReportsandSafetyRecs/AviationReports/tabid/78/ctl/Detail/mid/482/InvNumber/2009-004/Page/0/language/en-US/Default.aspx?SkinSrc= |archive-date = 3 October 2011 |publisher = New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) |access-date = 11 May 2011}}</ref>

On 15 December 2008, a Trislander operated by LAP in Puerto Rico crashed into the sea somewhere near the Turks and Caicos, shortly after a distress call. A spokesman for the Asociación Nacional de Pilotos reported that the pilot had his licence suspended in October 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20081215-0 |title = Accident description|website = aviation-safety.net |date = 16 December 2008 |access-date = 28 February 2009}}</ref>

On 8 October 1977, ZS-JYF, operated by Southern Aviation, impacted the ground while attempting a stall turn during an air display at Lanseria in {{wipe|South Africa}}. Despite sustaining severe damage (it was damaged beyond repair) the aircraft performed an emergency landing and neither occupant was injured.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19771008-1 |title = ASN Aircraft accident Britten-Norman BN-2A Trislander Mk.III-2 ZS-JYF Lanseria Airport (HLA) |first = Harro |last = Ranter |website = aviation-safety.net}}</ref>

==Specifications (BN-2A Mk III-2)==
[[File:ZK-LOU BN-2 Trislander Great Barrier Cockpit (8390957633).jpg|thumb|Cockpit]]
[[File:Aurigny Trislander (16125811745).jpg|thumb|Closeup of the tail unit and the third engine]]
[[File:( ZK- ) LOU BN-2 Trilander Great Barrier (8392041614).jpg|thumb|Starboard wing and engine]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref= ''Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976–77''<ref name="jawa76 p176-7"/>
|prime units?= imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|genhide=

|crew= 1 or 2
|capacity= 16 or 17 passengers
|length m= 15.01
|length ft=
|length in=
|length note=
|span m= 16.15
|span ft=
|span in=
|span note=
|height m= 4.32
|height ft=
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqm= 31.31
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio= 7.95:1
|airfoil= NACA 23012
|empty weight kg= 2,650
|empty weight lb=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg= 4,536
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity= {{convert|154|impgal|USgal L|abbr=on}}
|lift kg=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|lift lb=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|lift note=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 3
|eng1 name= Lycoming O-540-E4C5
|eng1 type= air-cooled flat-six piston engines 
|eng1 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 hp= 260<!-- prop engines -->
|prop blade number= 2<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name= [[Company:Hartzell Propeller|Hartzell]] HC-C2YK-2G/C8477-4 constant speed propellers
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=

<!--
        Performance
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph= 180
|max speed kts=
|max speed note= at sea level
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph= 155
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note= (59% power) at {{convert|13000|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|range km=
|range miles= 1,000
|range nmi=
|range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m= 4,010
|ceiling ft=
|ceiling note=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin= 980
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|more performance=
* '''Take off run to 50 ft (15 m):''' {{convert|1950|ft|m}}
* '''Landing run from 50 ft (15 m):''' {{convert|1445|ft|m|abbr=on}}

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{Aircontent|
|related=
* Britten-Norman Islander
|similar aircraft=
* [[Engineering:De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]]
* [[Engineering:Dornier 228|Dornier 228]]
* [[Engineering:GAF Nomad|GAF Nomad]]
* [[Engineering:Let L-410 Turbolet|Let L-410 Turbolet]]
|lists=
|see also=
}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading==
{{Commons and category|Britten-Norman Trislander}}
* {{cite patent |country = US |number = 3807665 |pubdate = 30 April 1974 |assign1 = Britten Norman}}
* ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985)''. London: Orbis Publishing, 1985.
* Stroud, John. "Post War Propliners: Islander and Trislander". ''Aeroplane Monthly''. Vol. 22, No. 8. August 1994. pp.&nbsp;44–49. {{ISSN|0143-7240}}.
* {{cite web |url = http://www.airliners.net/aircraft-data/stats.main?id=134 |title = Britten-Norman BN-2A Mk.3 Trislander |work = airliners.net}}


[[Category:Trimotors]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Cruciform tail aircraft]]

{{Sourceattribution|Britten-Norman Trislander}}