Britten-Norman is celebrating its platinum anniversary in 2024, marking 70 years since the company was founded. John Britten and Desmond Norman started their business in 1954, on completion of their apprenticeships at De Havilland. The business was conceived as an aircraft modification company before the two entrepreneurs identified a gap in the market for a high payload, short sector, short take-off and landing aircraft that is capable of operating in some of the most remote parts of the world with the minimum of infrastructure or support. So, 10 years later, the ubiquitous Islander was born. Source: ‘Britten-Norman‘.