KOMSOMOLSK-ON-AMUR. July 25 (Interfax-AVN) - The Komsomolsk- on-Amur aircraft production association (KnAAPO) has implemented the contract for the supplies of three BE-103 amphibious planes to the U.S., a source in the KnAAPO administration told Interfax- Military News Agency on Friday.
"BE-103 amphibious planes are mass produced by KnAAPO. The first three planes have been shipped to a U.S. customer. Ten more aircraft are on KnAAPO's staples," the source said.
He recalled that the first mass-produced BE-103 designed by the Taganrog-based Beriyev aircraft research and technical corporation made its maiden flight from KnAAPO's airfield on July 2. Officials of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made a series of flights on the BE-103 in Taganrog in March 2003 during the plane's certification in accordance with FAR-23 standards.
According to experts, the plane's certification in accordance with FAA standards will allow it to enter the international market of aircraft of this class. The BE-103 market potential is estimated at 300 items.
The three export-oriented BE-103s and additional equipment weighing a total of 10t were delivered from Komsomolsk-on-Amur to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, by an AN-124-100 Condor plane of the Volga- Dnepr Airlines. The planes are expected to take part in the AirVenture 2003 international exhibition of light business aviation that will take place in Oshkosh from July 29 to August 4.
Each amphibian has a length of 10.6m, altitude of 3.7m, and wingspan of 12.7m. Special loading technologies and equipment were used to airlift them. The wings were removed from the planes and positioned in lodgements upon clearance with the customer, which made it possible to position the cargo in a compact manner and fix it.
The BE-103 can be used for cargo and passenger transportation, forest and sea border patrolling, control over environmental condition of sea areas, aerial photography, urgent medical aid provision, urgent delivery of small-size cargoes. The Interstate Aviation Committee issued a type certificate to the BE- 103 in December 2001.
The plane has a maximum take-off weight of 2.27t, maximum speed of 260kmph, and operation range of 1,100km. The crew consists of one pilot, and the plane can carry up to five passengers or 400kg of cargo. The aircraft is powered by two U.S. piston engines and U.S. air screws.