Russia's biannual Gidroaviasalon International Exhibition and Scientific Conference was held at the experimental test base of the Beriev Aviation Company at Gelendzhik on the shores of the Black Sea, from 22 to 25 September 2016. This unique event is held to highlight Russia's success in hydroaviation, and in particular, that of the Beriev Be-200 twin-jet amphibian.

The Be-200ES multipurpose amphibious aircraft was demonstrated on Thursday. The aircraft was piloted by Nikolay Kuleshov, honored test pilot of Civil Aviation State Scientific-Research Institute. The Be-200ES soared into the sky after making the water circulation.

The Be-200ES

As part of the air show forums and round table will be held. During the discussions, the participants of the event will consider the prospects for the development of aircraft and the possibility of its application. In particular, the forces and means of air indispensable for the carriage of passengers, cargo and rescue operations.

Besides aircraft, the exhibition also hosts the companies dealing with the engineering design, selling and operation of wing-in-ground (WIG) effect craft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), hovercraft, and marine vessels.

More than 100 companies participated in Gidroaviasalon 2016, down on the numbers at the previous exhibition. Although it was flagged up as an international show, the majority of the exhibitors were Russian companies and organisations plus prominent scientists and representatives of the leading technical colleges and universities.