The Be-103 received its Federal Aviation Administration type certification on 21 July 2003 at the EAA AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin US, where the aircraft had arrived via An-124 airlift. 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, the European Union, 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 Canada and the US. 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. Domestic and international market demands (until 2015) were estimated at 520 and 250–330 units, respectively.
The Be-103 was the first Russian aircraft to be in the "Normal" category by the FAA. and along with the Dornier Seastar is the only twin-engine amphibian currently in production..
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The Be-103 is a mid-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.
As of 2010, three aircraft were on the United States civil register. In 2004 China signed a US$20 million contract with KnAAPO for the delivery of 20 aircraft
As of 2010, three aircraft were on the United States civil register. In 2004 China signed a US$20 million contract with KnAAPO for the delivery of 20 aircraft