ILYUSHIN HAS SOLD the first production version of the five-seat Il-103 to an undisclosed customer. The aircraft, is believed to have been sold to a South African client who undertook demonstration flights in April. The Il-103 is produced at the Lukhovitsy plant near Moscow, which is a member of MAPO MiG concern.
The Il-103 received a type certificate from the Russian State Air Register in February. By mid-April, seven flying aircraft had been built, and the Russian company is now awaiting certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration to FAR 23 regulations.
The Il-103 is powered by a Teledyne Continental IO-360ES rated at 155kW (210hp), with a two-blade Hartzell propeller. Victor Livanov, Ilyushin deputy director, says that the design bureau is now investigating the possibility of installing a more powerful 200-209kW Textron Lycoming or Continental power plant.
Source: Flight International
