Channel Islands Air Search replacement plane arrives

A search service, which has been out of action since its plane crash-landed, expects to return to the sky this weekend.

The Channel Islands Air Search (CIAS) Islander was heavily damaged in the landing in November while searching for two fishermen.

Fundraising for a new plane, estimated to cost £3m, to replace the Lion's Pride is ongoing.

An interim replacement plane arrived in Guernsey at 19:00 BST on Tuesday.

Colin Ferbrache, chief officer of the charity, said crew training on the Islander would take place ahead of it going into service.

He said the short-term replacement would have no "search and rescue technology" but would "give us visual capability".

The previous plane's equipment included radar, thermal imaging, a droppable raft, a homing system, smoke floats and a spotlight.

The service describes itself as the "lifeboat of the skies" and works alongside other search and rescue services on land and sea.

Mr Ferbrache said: "We anticipate this aircraft being with us for around six weeks before it's replaced with the first of the aircraft.

"We're still on track to take delivery of a brand new Islander towards the end of next year, kitted with the very latest in search and rescue technology and thereby future-proofing the work of CIAS for around the next 30 years."

He said this extra plane had been brought in as the planned first interim aircraft had a number of defects and the time the repairs would take meant a lack of cover during the "busy summer season".