Beriev Be-103

what is it?

The Beriev Be-103 (in English sometimes called "Snipe") is an amphibious seaplane designed by Beriev and constructed by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO) in Russia. Intended for autonomous operation 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.

🔎How to recognise it: 2 piston engines with propellers · 12.5 m wingspan

base stats

• speed 235 km/hcruise speed
• range 845 kmwithout refuelling
• seats 5passengers
• size 2,270 kgmax take-off weight

Bars compare against all aircraft: 3,500 km/h, 20,000 km, 850 seats; size and number built on a log scale up to 640 t (An-225) and 45,000 built (Cessna 172).

fun facts

• 🎂First flew 29 years ago, in 1997.
• 🚗Wingspan of 12.5 m: about 3 cars parked nose to tail.

piston: A car-like piston engine turning a propeller: simple and cheap, the classic small plane.

spec sheet

first flight

1997-07-15

introduced

2003

status

in production

number built

—

role

amphibian

makers

Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association

engines

2× Continental IO-360-ES4

crew

1

passengers

5

length

10.7 m

wingspan

12.5 m

height

3.7 m

max take-off weight

2,270 kg

top speed

—

cruise speed

235 km/h

range

845 km

ceiling

5,000 m

Specs are for the version in the Wikipedia article's specification section. Blank means the sources don't say.