ONE of the longest serving commercial aircraft in the world is joining the collection at a Hampshire air museum.

Trislander G-RLON made its final journey this week to the Solent Sky Museum in Southampton.

The 18-seater aircraft, which retired from service with Aurigny in February, has clocked up more than 32,600 flying hours over its 42-year career – equivalent to flying non-stop for 1,358 days – and made stands at 105,130 landings.

Aurigny’s CEO Mark Darby said: “We are delighted to see G-RLON going on display at Solent Sky Museum, where the public will be able to view the aircraft and learn more about its history and association with Aurigny.

“The Trislanders have served the airline for over four decades now and for many years was the backbone of the operations. Many people, both locally and further afield, hold the aircraft close to their hearts and it is fitting that one of our last Trislanders will go on public display in the UK, for people far and wide to see.”

The Trislander fleet is being retired as part of Aurigny’s transition to Dornier aircraft.

G-RLON landed at Lee-on-Solent Airfield, where it will be stored for a while, until space can be made in the museum.

Solent Sky director Alan Jones said the opportunity would then be taken to tell, in full, the story of the Britten-Norman aircraft company and Aurigny.

The 18-seater Trislanders were built by Britten-Norman Aircraft between 1971 and 1982 and many were bought by Aurigny, which operates passenger and freight services between the Channel Islands, northern France, and the UK.

“The Britten-Norman story is very much a local one,” he said.

The aircraft was built on the Isle of Wight and served as part of the fleet of Trislanders that for 40 years plied their route from Southampton to Alderney, a familiar site and with its distinctive engine sound became almost a part of the life of the city.

“Solent Sky Museum have, for over 30 years, told the story of the Britten-Norman Aircraft Company, a company who produced the most successful post war passenger aircraft the Islander.

“The museum has had on display for many years the BN1 Aircraft which was the first aircraft built by the Britten Norman Company on the Isle of Wight.”

Facts about G-RLON

The aircraft has completed more flights than any other Aurigny Trislander.

RLON stands for Royal London Insurance. The eye-catching pink colour scheme it used to wear advertised their brand.

Type: Britten-Norman Mk3 Trislander

Year of Manufacture: 1975

Entered service with Aurigny: February 1975

Total flying hours of the aircraft: 32,604.45

Total Landings: 105,130