Unique Flying Machines: Beriev Be-200 Seaplane

Unique Flying Machines: Beriev Be-200 Seaplane – For our final feature on unique flying machines, we’re celebrating the Be-200 Seaplane.

It’s a Russian-built amphibious aircraft designed for search and rescue, maritime patrol, cargo, firefighting, and passenger transportation.

The aircraft made its debut at the 1991 Paris Air Show.

One distinctive feature of this aircraft is its ability to skim the surface of the water at 90-95 percent of takeoff speed and take in up to 12,000 liters (3,170 gallons) of water.

The prototype of the Be-200 aircraft made its first flight on September 24, 1998.