IL-103 Light Multi-Purpose Aircraft

A non-retractable tricycle landing is fitted to the IL-103.

The IL-103 cabin features fabric seats with seat belts and armrests.

The IL-103 landing on an austere runway.

The IL-103's maiden flight was in 1994.

The aircraft is powered by a Teledyne Continental IO-360ES piston.

IL-103 training operations in a forest.

The IL-103, a light multi-purpose single-engine aircraft, is designed and manufactured by Ilyushin Aviation Complex, Russia, to meet the requirements of the Republic of Korean Air Force (ROKAF). It is a large and medium-size aircraft used principally for civil and transport roles. Highly economical and reliable, the IL-103 can operate in adverse weather conditions.

The maiden flight of the IL-103 took place in May 1994. The aircraft obtained Russian AP23 certification in February 1996. It was also the first Russian aircraft to receive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certificate No. A45CE in December 1998. About 21 IL-103 aircraft were ordered in 2002, three of which were delivered in July 2004. A total of 66 aircraft are currently in service worldwide.

IL-103 aircraft variants

The IL-103 has three variants, namely IL-103-10, IL-103-11, and IL-103SH.

The IL-103-10 is an export variant upgraded with advanced avionics system, while the IL-103-11, an export version, features partially modernised avionics compared with the original prototype.

The IL-103SH is an agricultural aircraft principally used for aerial applications of pesticides. The variant is also referred to as a crop duster and can be used for hydroseeding.

IL-103 design

The IL-103 has been designed to operate in rugged or tough conditions. It can conduct aerobatic flights, visual flight rules (VFR) flights, category II local flights and coast guard patrol, and weather monitoring. The aircraft can be used for passengers airlifts, training, and aerial surveillance of oil pipelines, forests and sea shore. It can also be used for charter flights and aviation trainers. The IL-103 is designed to operate on short and improvised runways.

IL-103 features

The IL-103 features a flash beacon, navigation lights, wing tip strobes, landing and taxi lights, parking brakes, stainless-steel control cables, control stick, dual flight controls, alternate static source, elevator trim system, and brakes functioning through hydraulic toe. The aircraft is also equipped with fuel injection systems, tubular steel engine mount, an air filter and full flow oil filter.

An electric auxiliary fuel pump, engine driven fuel pump, dual ignition systems, shielded magneto, engine exhaust muffler, oil cooler, dynafocal rear mount, 28V, 60A alternator and an electric starter are also fitted in the aircraft.

IL-103 spacious cabin

The IL-103 has a comfortable and spacious cabin, which accommodates three passengers. The cabin features fabric seats with belts, armrests, wall-to-wall carpet, electrical and avionics circuit breakers, pilot and co-pilot windshield defroster, and an electric cockpit heating system.

The cabin offers more leg room for its passengers. Its length and width is 2.65m and 1.30m respectively, while its height is 1.27m. Backlit instruments, instrument panel lighting, avionics power switch, master switch, flexible cabin air ventilators, padded glareshield, map and storage pockets are installed in the cabin.

IL-103 avionics

The IL-103 is an all metal low-wing aircraft, equipped with an avionics system that includes a magnetic compass, attitude gyro, true airspeed indicators, vertical speed indicator, altimeter, KX-165 navigation or communication system, and a KN-63 distance-measuring equipment.

Other avionics installed in the aircraft encompass an audio panel or marker beacon, transponder, cooling fan, KLN89 global positioning system, KR-87 automatic direction finder and KCS-55A compass system.

Aircraft landing gear

The aircraft features a non-retractable tricycle front, and stationed and amortised landing gear. The low pressure wheels of the landing gear allow the aircraft to take-off and land on austere runways with elements connected to rear fuselage under the cockpit.

Teledyne engines

The aircraft is powered by a single Teledyne Continental IO-360ES piston-opposed air-cooled engine. Each engine can produce 156.6kW (210hp) of power.

The engines are each a six-cylinder boxer, which feature a Hartzell BHC-C2YF-1BF / F8459A-8R two-blade variable pitch (hydraulic) metal propeller of 1.93m diameter.

IL-103 performance

The IL-103 can climb at the rate of 3.167m/s and has a maximum speed of 225km/h. The range and service ceiling of the aircraft is 1,070km and 3,000m respectively. Its maximum altitude is 2,400m.

The take-off and landing run of the IL-103 is 340m and 250m respectively. The aircraft weighs around 900kg and its maximum take-off weight is 1,310kg.