Britten-Norman, the civil A2-approved aircraft manufacturer, has been designing and building aircraft for over 60 years. The CIAS’ new aircraft features a red and while colour scheme and replaces the interim SAR aircraft, which the aircraft manufacturer also supplied.

“The interim aircraft, a BN2A Islander G-BEXJ, has served CIAS well, but it was missing the all-important FLIR (forward-looking infrared) camera,” the CIAS team said in a press release in April.

The FLIR camera has greatly enhanced capabilities, as well as additional features such as a laser rangefinder and the ability to blend the images from the different cameras to give the crew an enhanced view. On the flight deck, the aircraft is equipped with a Garmin G600 TXi touchscreen foundation flight cockpit which incorporates electronic instrument displays and the multifunction GTN series nav/com/GPS.

Having now completed the intensive training following the aircraft’s delivery, the crew can provide improved 24-hour SAR and rapid response services to the Channel Island community, which it has been serving for nearly 40 years.

Captain Roger Dadd, Founder and Trustee of CIAS, said: “I found the aircraft a delight to fly; its capacity is phenomenal, and it has much-reduced noise levels. The crew of Air Search is so pleased with what is the best SAR aircraft of its type in the world.”