Fly BN, a subsidiary of B-N Group, has completed a major refurbishment of BN Trislander serial no. 1042. The aircraft, now registered G-RHOP, has just been sold to the airline Rockhopper – a Channel Islands-based airline which provides scheduled daily services between the three Channel Islands, France and Bournemouth on the UK mainland.

The aircraft was accepted by Rockhopper at Fly BN’s premises at Bembridge, Isle of Wight, on Monday March 22 and is scheduled to have already entered service.

The refurbishment programme included a new interior trim plus full exterior strip and new paint scheme in Rockhopper’s distinctive blue and yellow livery. The aircraft underwent a full SB190/1,000 hour inspection and all ADs and SBs have been brought up to date.

In addition, the undercarriages have been completely overhauled and says the company, all three

260hp Lycoming engines have

very low hours since having

been overhauled.

Said a spokesman: “There is a strong international demand for the unique Trislander – the world’s only single-pilot operated, three-engine civil aircraft capable of carrying 17 passengers, and we have several clients who have asked for options on factory-refurbished Trislanders as and when they become available.

Last year, sister company, Britten-Norman Aircraft (BNA), announced a plan to re-start manufacture of the Trislander regional commuter aircraft, following an upsurge in interest in the aircraft and its economy of operation.

A proof-of-concept Trislander is currently under construction at BNA’s UK factory at Bembridge on the Isle of Wight, and this is to be used as a demonstrator, undertaking a world tour to convert current high levels of interest into the firm orders required for BNA to move back into full

scale production.

The spokesman added: “With their short take-off and landing rolls, these rugged aircraft excel in operating from unprepared strips, whether out of remote sites and rugged terrain locations, or from tropical, jungle, grass, desert strips or equally from hard sand beaches, in either a passenger or a freight role.”

B-N Group also operates a BN trade-in programme, for new and pre-owned Trislander, Islander and Defender aircraft, which “ensures good residual values and a healthy and stable second-hand aircraft market for buyers and sellers”.