Beriev Be-103

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Be-103 on a taxiway

Be-103 in flight

The Beriev Be-103 is a seaplane manufactured by the Beriev Aircraft Company, and made its first flight July 15, 1997. It is an amphibian and was intended for autonomous operation in the unmarked areas of Russia's Far North or Siberia, where it may be most useful. the Be-103 was designed for short-haul routes in regions that have rivers, lakes, streams and that are otherwise inaccessible. The Be-103 is a low wing monoplane, with water-displacing wings fitted with wing extensions. It features an all-moving slab tail and tricycle landing gear with nose undercarriage unit. Its hallmarks are the water-dispacing wing with three aquapaning implements (planing step, starboard and port wing trailing edges) which substantially enhance the aircraft's on-the-water stability and seaworthiness. Domestic and international market demands (until 2015) are estimated at 520 and 250-330 units, respectively.

On July 31, 2003 the official presentation and handing of the type certificate for the Be-103 amphibious aircraft took place at the press-center of the Oshkosh exhibition. The type certificate was handed by co-chairman of regulations and certification of Federal Aviation Administration of the USA (FAA) Nik Sabatiny. It's also certified in Brazil, People's republic of China and Russia.

On August 1, 2003, the Director of FAA Marianne Blackly visited the desplay area of the Be-103 at the exhibition's area in order to familiarize personally with the Be-103 aircraft and meet representatives of developer, manufacturer and Air Register.

The obtaining of the FAA certificate enables official sales of the Be-103 in the USA and Canada. After the exhibition, the Be-103 aircraft was officially handed to the customer Kent Linn of Sky Manor Airport, Pittstown, New Jersey. To date 3 aircraft are registered in the USA and situated at the customer's base in New Jersey.

The Be-103 "Snipe" amphibious aircraft is the first Russian serial aircraft certificated in the USA and intended for the USA market and remains the only new twin engine amphibian available for purchase today. Its primary features are an advanced swept (22 degrees) blended wet wing with leading edge slats utilizing to maximum advantage the ground/sea effect on its low wing for improved take off performance. In addition, it comes equipped as standard with two three bladed MT reverse pitch propellors for ideal water handling purposes.