What are the particular features of La-8 design? What are its main operating characteristics? M.S.: range of customers’ requirements. At that we attach importance also to the commercial component of La- 8 project. When designing and manufacturing La-8 we used state-of-the-art design decisions and technological achievements in aircraft building. For example, all wing fuselage parts and control surfaces are made of composite materials with the use of the latest technologies. The power plant consists of two engines made in Czechia, installed on the wing center section from both sides of the fuselage, propellers being protruded forward thus protecting the engines from penetration of water during taking off and landing. I’d like to pay special attention to the possibility of climbing and of level flight with one engine shut off as well as the possibility of safe landing with shut off engines. At the first stage instrumentation and navigation facilities of the airplane makes it possible to carry out flights in the day time according to the rules of visual flights. La-8 airplane is remarkable for high strength of its fuselage, which safely protects the pilot and the passengers. Speaking about the airplane multifunctionality I’d like to mark out the possibility of carrying not only passengers and cargoes, but also performing patrolling, sanitary and other types of works over the water and land surfaces. In passenger option the overall number of seats is 8, including the pilot. The airplane can take off from and land on landing strips, concrete-surface airfields and water surfaces. In the nearest future AeroVolga plans to finalize the works connected with obtaining certification of the type in this country. And certification by aviation administrations of foreign countries is in sight. We expect that the light amphibian airplane La-8 will be in demand not only in Russia but also abroad.

WHY THE LA8 IS SUPERIOR:
First of all, being a mostly well-known and promoted Russian small amphibian plane Be-103 has been the only amphibian promoted.
But, nevertheless it provides lesser technical opportunities and incurs major operational and service costs as compared to several other Russian small amphibian planes. This is mostly attributed to the exclusive status of KNAPPO - the manufacturer, which is closely affiliated with the state and it is this combination which has left others in the dark. As a result Be-103 has been the only Russian small amphibian promoted internationally. Target costs were granted to certify Be-103 in China and several other Southeast Asia and Pacific
countries.

Even despite a sound support from the state the certification and further international distribution of Be-103 has been hindered by
a high price (US$ 750.000 to US$ 1,1 mln. depending on modification) and comparatively low economical performance. As such, considering that Be-103 is still not certified, our view is that choosing Be-103 for commercial use is not effective and involves higher purchasing and further operational costs. There are several more small amphibian planes in Russia with comparable or even superior
technical and economical performance.

Hence the LA8 small amphibian plane.