Ten-seat STOL regional and utility piston twin · Twin-engine piston aircraft · production 1978–present · See its reach on the 3D globe
A Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander costs approximately $1.29m (€1.2m) to $1.54m (€1.43m) to buy at 2010 market values, and about $181k (€167k) a year to own flying 80 hours, roughly $2,257 (€2,090) per flight hour all-in. It seats 10, cruises at 135 kt (155 mph) and has a published range of 755 nm (1,398 km), needing about 1,148 ft (350 m) of runway. Figures are indicative planning estimates compiled 2026-07, not a quote for any specific airframe.
First-party reference values for this model. They are shown separately from PlaneFit planning estimates and do not enter Finder or cross-model rankings until each field is normalised across the catalogue.
| Maximum takeoff weight | 2,994 kg |
|---|---|
| Useful load | 1,128 kg |
| Usable fuel | 492 L |
| Landing distance | 299 m |
| Maximum climb rate | 860 ft/min |
| Baggage weight | 54.4 kg |
| Engine | 2 x Lycoming O-540-E4C5 normally aspirated piston engines, 260 hp each |
Indicative planning data, compiled 2026-07. Verify against the AFM and records.
| Seats | 10 |
| Realistic payload with mission fuel | 2,207 lb (1,001 kg) |
| Published planning range | 755 nm (1,398 km) |
| Practical planning radius (4 people) | 506 nm (937 km) |
| Cruise speed | 135 kt (155 mph) |
| Runway need | ~1,148 ft (350 m) |
| Landing gear | Fixed tricycle |
| Pressurised | No |
| Fuel | Avgas 100LL |
| Fixed annual base | $97k (€90k) |
| Direct cost per flight hour | $864 (€800) |
Exceptional access and payload for short island or utility routes, but slow cruise and commercial maintenance are costly.
Indicative cash costs at 2010 market values, before financing, depreciation and tax. The fixed base is the same whether the aircraft flies or not, so the effective hourly cost falls as utilisation rises.
| Annual use | Annual cash cost | Effective cost / h | Five-year cash outlay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 h / year | $146k (€135k) | $3,650 (€3,380) | $2.13m (€1.98m) |
| 80 h / year | $181k (€167k) | $2,257 (€2,090) | $2.31m (€2.14m) |
| 120 h / year | $215k (€199k) | $1,793 (€1,660) | $2.48m (€2.3m) |
| 180 h / year | $267k (€247k) | $1,483 (€1,373) | $2.74m (€2.54m) |
Every figure above is built from a $97k (€90k) fixed annual base, covering hangarage, insurance, scheduled maintenance reserves and recurring airworthiness costs, plus $864 (€800) per hour flown for fuel, reserves and consumables. It is a planning model for comparing aircraft and testing utilisation, not a maintenance programme quote, insurance quote or pre-buy assessment.
Older examples add calendar-driven maintenance: a 2011-built airframe is estimated at $178k (€165k) per year at 80 hours. Airframe and engine time, maintenance and damage history, avionics, equipment, geography and tax treatment move a real transaction further than the model year does, so price the aircraft in front of you, not the model. A cheaper example carrying deferred maintenance can be the more expensive aircraft once the first annual inspection is complete.
Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander cost guide answers the same figures as standalone purchase and ownership questions, and the ownership cost calculator lets you replace these assumptions with your own hours and fixed costs.
On top of a pilot certificate, this aircraft obliges the person flying it to hold the following. Each one is time and money before the first trip, and insurers usually attach their own minimums on top.
US requirements under 14 CFR 61.31, stated for orientation and not as advice. PlaneFit is not an aviation authority or a training organisation. Other authorities set different rules, and the current regulation and your instructor are what govern.
An indicative 2010 market price for a Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander is $1.29m (€1.2m) to $1.54m (€1.43m). This is a planning estimate normalised across the market, not a quote for a specific airframe. Condition, engine time remaining, avionics and damage history move the real number more than the model year does.
Flying 80 hours a year, a Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander works out at roughly $181k (€167k) annually, which is about $2,257 (€2,090) per flight hour all-in once fixed costs are spread across those hours. The direct cost per hour alone, covering fuel, reserves and consumables, is about $864 (€800).
Published range is 755 nm (1,398 km). With 4 people aboard and realistic reserves, plan on a practical radius of about 506 nm rather than the brochure figure.
Beyond a pilot certificate, a Britten-Norman BN-2B-26 Islander requires multi-engine rating. An airplane multi-engine land class rating. Insurers add their own minimum: multi-engine time, time in this make and model, and often a checkout with a named instructor before you fly it solo. These are US requirements and are stated for orientation; confirm them against the current regulation and an instructor.
Plan on approximately 1,148 ft (350 m) for take-off. Check this against the actual runway, surface, slope, temperature and loading, all of which extend the requirement.