Beriev Be-103
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| Be-103 Snipe | |
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| Type | Amphibian |
| Manufacturer | KnAAPO [1] |
| Designed by | Beriev |
| Maiden flight | 15 July 1997 |
| Introduced | 2003 |
| Status | In production |
| Unit cost | US$795,000 [1] |
The Beriev Be-103 is a seaplane designed by the Beriev Aircraft Company. Intended for autonomous operation as an amphibian in the unmarked areas of Russia's far north and Siberia, the Be-103 was designed for short-haul routes in regions that have rivers, lakes and streams, but are otherwise inaccessible.
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[edit] Design and development
The Be-103 is a low wing monoplane, making use of the modified wing roots as water-displacing sponsons. It features an all-moving slab tail and retractable tricycle landing gear for land operations. Its hallmark and most distinguishing design feature is the water-displacing wing, an unusual feature for a seaplane, with three aquaplaning implements (planing step, port and starboard wing trailing edges) which substantially enhance the aircraft's on-the-water stability and seaworthiness.
The Be-103 features include an advanced, blended wing, swept at 22°, with 11-foot-long fixed leading edge slats, trailing-link main landing gear, and three-bladed MT-12 reverse pitch propellers. Fuel is stored in the wet wings. The aircraft is built from aluminum-lithium alloy with titanium used in high-stress areas. A 30-parameter, five-hour flight data recorder, engine fire-detection systems and an ice detector are also standard.[1]
When flying solo, ballast must be placed near the right front seat due to center of gravity issues.[1]
[edit] Certification
The Be-103 received its Federal Aviation Administration type certification on 21 July 2003 at the EAA AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where the aircraft had arrived via An-124 airlift[1]. The type certificate was handed over by the FAA's co-chairman of regulations and certification, Nicholas Sabatini. The aircraft is also certified in Brazil, the People's Republic of China and Russia.
On 1 August 2003, FAA Director Marion Blakey visited the Be-103's display area at the exhibition in order to familiarize herself personally with the aircraft and to meet representatives of the developer, manufacturer and Air Register.
The obtaining of FAA certification allows official sales of the Be-103 to begin in the USA and Canada. After the exhibition, the first production Be-103 aircraft were officially handed over to its American dealer, Kent Linn of Sky Manor Airport in Pittstown, New Jersey. To date, three aircraft are registered in the USA and situated at the customer's base in New Jersey awaiting resale. Domestic and international market demands (until 2015) are estimated at 520 and 250-330 units, respectively.[citation needed]
The Be-103 "Snipe" amphibious aircraft is the first Russian certified in the "Normal category USA"[1] and remains the only new twin-engine amphibian available for purchase today.
[edit] Chinese order
In 2004, China signed a US$20mil contract with KnAAPO for the delivery of 20 Be-103 aircraft. [2]
[edit] Variants
- Be-103 : Twin-engine light utility amphibian aircraft, seating one pilot and five passengers.
- SA-20P : Eight-seat single-engined version for the Russian market.
[edit] Specifications
Data from AOPA Pilot article (PDF file) [1]
General characteristics
- Crew: two
- Capacity: 5 passengers
- Length: 34 ft 11 in (10.7 m)
- Wingspan: 41 ft 9 in (12.5 m)
- Height: 12 ft 4 in (3.7 m)
- Wing area: 270.2 ft² (25.1 m²)
- Empty weight: 3,810 lb (1,730 kg)
- Useful load: 1,201 lb (545 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 5,011 lb (2,270 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Teledyne Continental IO-360ES4 fuel-injected opposed piston engines, 210 hp (157 kW) each
- Max zero-fuel weight: 4,888 lb (2,217 kg)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 130 knots (150 mph, 235 km/h)
- Maximum speed: 130 knots (150 mph, 240 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 127 knots (145 mph, 245 km/h)
- Stall speed: 60 knots (70 mph, 110 km/h)
- Range: 460 nm (525 mi, 845 km)
- Service ceiling 16,400 ft (5,000 m)
- Rate of climb: 984 fpm ()
- Wing loading: 18.5 lb/ft² (90.3 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 11.9 lb/hp (7.2 kg/kW)
[edit] References
- G.M.Beriev Taganrog Aviation Scientific Engineering Complex Press-release No.8, 24 April 1998.
- Beriev USA
- ^ a b c d e f "From Russia with love", AOPA Pilot, October 2004. PDF file available at beriev-usa.com. Retrieved on 2007-01-06.
- ^ Vostok Media fide Beriev USA
[edit] See also
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Comparable aircraft
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