Air Astana signs order for four B763s and three B787-8s

Boeing and Air Astana have announced an order for four Boeing 767-300ERs (Extended Range) and three Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. The order is valued at US$1.3 billion at current list prices, making this the largest single order for commercial airplanes in Kazakhstan's history. (Source: Boeing)

Russia's MoD signs contract for 92 Su-34s

The Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) has signed a deal for 92 Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers from the Sukhoi aircraft maker, the ministry said on Thursday. The deal under which the warplanes are to be delivered by 2020 was signed by Defense Minister A. Serdyukov and Sukhoi General Director I. Ozar. This is one of the largest warplane contracts under the government arms procurement program and it will help replace all of the Su-24 bombers currently in service with the "4+ generation" aircraft, Serdyukov said. (RIA Novosti)

Kazakhstan's MoD signs contract for two C295s

Airbus Military has signed a firm contract with Kazspetsexport, a State Company belonging to the Kazakhstan's MoD, to supply two C295s plus the related service support package for spare parts and ground support equipment. The aircraft will be operated by the Air Forces of Kazakhstan in support of their transport missions throughout the nation's vast territory. Additionally, a MoU has been signed for a further six C295s. The first two aircraft will be delivered by April 2013. (Source: Airbus Military)

USMC KC-130T Hercules at MLA for touch & goes

Russia's MoD signs contract for 24 MiG-29Ks for the Russian Navy

The Russian Defense Ministry has signed a contract with aircraft maker MiG for the delivery of 20 MiG-29K and four MiG-29KUB carrier-based fighter aircraft, MiG said on Wednesday. MiG will deliver the aircraft from 2013-2015. The aircraft will operate from Russia's single serving carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, with the Northern Fleet based in Murmansk. The value of the deal has not been disclosed. (Source: RIA Novosti)

USCG MH-60C Dolphin crashes off Alabama coast

A U.S. Coast Guard MH-65C Dolphin (6535) helicopter has crashed off Point Clear, Mobile Bay, AL, on Tuesday at 2030LT, leaving one crew member dead and three missing, while on a training mission. The flight originated from the Aviation Training Center in Mobile. A response cutter from Dauphin Island and two additional MH-65s from New Orleans were dispatched to assist in the search. A Mobile County Sheriff's Flotilla crew, an HU-144 twin-engine aircraft and an Alabama Marine Resources vessel were also activated. (Source: aviation-safety.net / reuters.com)

BIW receives USN contract to execise options for DDG 116 construction

U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded General Dynamic's Bath Iron Works (BIW) being a US$663 million modification to previously awarded contract to exercise options for DDG 116 (an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer) construction and associated engineering change proposals and design budgeting requirements. Work is expected to be completed by August 2018. (Source: U.S. Department of Defense)

Yantar Shipyard to lay down new frigate for Russian Navy

The Yantar Shipyard in the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad will start on Wednesday the construction of a new Krivak IV class frigate for Russia's Black Sea Fleet. The Admiral Makarov is the last in a series of three Krivak IV class frigates built for the Russian Navy under a tender won by Yantar in 2010. The first two ships in the series, the Admiral Grigorovich and the Admiral Essen, are at various stages of construction. All three warships are expected to be delivered to the Russian Navy in 2013-2014. In 2011, the Yantar shipyard received a new order for another three Krivak IV class frigates. (Source: RIA Novosti)

Su-30 fighter jet crashes, crew ejects safely

Two crew members ejected safely after their Su-30 fighter jet crashed 130-km northeast of Komsomolsk-on-Amur during a test flight on Tuesday, according to sources in the regional administration. "Both crew members ejected safely but one was hurt on landing," a regional administration source said. The aircraft belonged to the Komsomolsk-on-Amur factory where Su-30s are manufactured. The crash took place at 10:20 AM Moscow time. (Source: RIA Novosti)

China Southern to acquire ten B773ERs

China Southern Airlines has agreed to acquire 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, the first time this specific type has been selected by the carrier. The Guangzhou-based carrier said it would purchase the aircraft, the list price for which is US$298 million apiece, and take delivery in stages from 2013-16. China Southern said, however, that the actual price was "significantly lower" than the catalogue price because of concessions from the airframer. (Source: flightglobal.com)

Shuttle America E170 forced to land at Newark,NJ with the nose wheel up

A Shuttle America ERJ-170 (N637RW) on behalf of United, performing flight S55124/UA5124 from Atlanta,GA to Newark,NJ (USA) with 69 passengers and four crew, was on final approach to Newark's RWY 22L when the crew aborted the approach reporting a gear disagree message.

The aircraft entered a holding at 5000 feet, the crew reported they had about 50-mins of fuel, worked checklists and performed a low approach to RWY 22L about 35-mins after aborting the first approach, tower reported the nose gear was not down, the gear doors appeared a bit open, about a bump visible.

The aircraft positioned for another approach to RWY 22L and landed without nose gear on RWY 22L at 1828LT (2328z) about 45-mins after aborting the first approach. The aircraft was evacuated, no injuries occurred, the passengers were bussed to the terminal. (Source: avherald.com)

Starbow acquires two additional BAe.146s

Aero Surveys Limited, a Ghanaian regional carrier, operating under the commercial name "Starbow" and based in the capital Accra, has acquired two additional BAe 146 regional jetliners for use on regional and domestic routes. The aircraft, one BAe 146-300 and one BAe 146-200 will double its fleet size to four aircraft.

Starbow is leasing the aircraft from Riva Investments Limited, a lessor based in the British Virgin Islands, which has purchased the two aircraft (msns E3183 and E2059) from Falko Regional Aircraft Limited with deliveries of the aircraft anticipated in May 2012. (Source: avitrader.com)

Estonian Air signs order for four e-Jets and leases eight more

Estonian Air has signed a contract with Embraer for the purchase of three E175s and one E190. Estonian Air will also take eight additional aircraft, four E170s and four E190s, under a combination of lease agreements with third parties and leasing companies. The direct purchase from Embraer is subject to the approval of Estonian Air's Supervisory Council. The first of four E170s leased from Finnair is entering service this month, while the aircraft on firm order will be delivered in the second semester of 2014. (Source: Embraer)

SAA A332 has a temporarily excursion off the runway after landing at Guarulhos, Brazil

A South African Airways (SAA) Airbus A330-200 (ZS-SXY), performing flight SAA222 from Johannesburg (South Africa) to Sao Paulo Guarulhos,SP (Brazil) with 153 passengers, touched down on Guarulhos RWY 27R (length 3,700m) in heavy rain at about 1706LT (1906z), veered off the runway, the crew managed to steer the aircraft back onto the runway before slowing the aircraft to taxi speed and stopping the aircraft after vacating the runway via high speed exit DD about 2300m down the runway. No injuries occurred, a number of tyres deflated. (Source: avherald.com)

Austal USA receives USN contract for JHSV 8 and 9

U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Austal USA a US$321.7 million modification to previously awarded contract for the exercise of construction options for Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) eight and nine. The JHSV will provide high speed, shallow draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies, and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. Work is expected to be completed by April 2016. (Source: U.S. Department of Defense)

USN F/A-18F crashes 30 miles northeast of NAS Fallon, crew ejected safely

Two pilots are in good condition after their F/A-18F Super Hornet crashed this afternoon during a training flight about 30 miles northeast of Fallon in an unpopulated, dry lakebed. The pilots ejected safely from the aircraft and were recovered by a U.S. Navy helicopter shortly after the incident. Neither of the pilots sustained major injuries, and they have been transported to NAS Fallon for a complete medical evaluation. The pilots were attending the Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor course conducted by the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center. (Source: lahontanvalleynews.com)

Indian AF Mirage 2000 crashes in the Bhind area of Madhya Pradesh, crew ejected safely

A Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) has crashed today in the Bhind area of Madhya Pradesh. The pilot and the co-pilot reportedly ejected to safety. Air Marshal A. Chopra and Wing Commander R. Kumar were flying the jet when it crashed in Gorelalkapura village, about 100 kms from Gwalior. The aircraft, which was on a routine sortie, crashed five minutes after take-off while it was still climbing, when it developed a snag in the engine, an IAF spokesperson said in Delhi. (Source: ndtv.com)

Rossiya A148 drops wheel on take-off from Berlin-Schoenefeld

A Rossiya Antonov AN-148 (RA-61701), performing flight SDM242 from Berlin Schoenefeld (Germany) to St. Petersburg (Russia) with 37 passengers and seven crew, was enroute when the crew was informed tyre debris had been found on the departure RWY 25. The crew decided to continue to St. Petersburg for a low approach to Pulkovo Airport to have the gear inspected from the ground.

The observers on the ground reported the outboard left hand main wheel was entirely missing. The aircraft climbed to 7000 feet and entered a holding while the crew worked the checklists and emergency services on the ground prepared for the arrival of the aircraft. The aircraft landed safely about 65 minutes after the low approach and about 190 minutes after departure from Berlin. (Source: avherald.com)

TM/DCA: Malta Aircraft Register - update 23/2/2012

Transport Malta/Directorate of Civil Aviation has published today the latest update of the Maltese Aircraft Register.

New addition/s:

• 9H-MQT - Fokker F27 Mk.400 (c/n. 10295) registered to Miniliner srl, Italy (ex I-MLQT)
  

Cancellation/s: none

View complete Malta Aircrat Register

AWAS agrees to acquire portfolio of twelve aircraft from GECAS

Dublin based global aircraft lessor, AWAS, has agreed to acquire a portfolio of twelve aircraft from GE Capital Aviation Services Limited (GECAS). All twelve modern, passenger aircraft are already on-lease to successful airlines, with six of the airlines joining AWAS as new customers. (Source: avitrader.com)

FLY Leasing acquires two B737s

FLY Leasing, a global lessor of modern commercial jet aircraft, has acquired two Boeing 737-700 aircraft on lease to Brazilian low-cost carrier GOL Airlines. FLY now has a fleet of 111 commercial aircraft on lease to 54 airlines in 29 countries. (Source: avitrader.com)

Two USMC helicopters collide in mid-air in the Yuma Training Range Complex

Seven U.S. Marines were killed in a collision of two helicopters near Yuma, Ariz., during night training exercises, the Marine Corps said Thursday. Lt. M. Dooley with Miramar Air Base in California said the service members with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing were based at Camp Pendleton north of San Diego. The crash around 2000LT Wednesday involved an AH-1W Cobra and UH-1 Huey helicopter, she said. The aircraft collided in a remote portion of the Yuma Training Range Complex. (Source: Associated Press / Yahoo News)

Trans States Airlines E145 overruns runway on landing at Rochester airport

A Trans States Airlines ERJ-145 (N845HK) on behalf of United, performing flight AX3350/UA3350 from Chicago-O'Hare,IL to Rochester,NY (USA) with 42 paxs and three crew, was on approach to Rochester's RWY 22 when tower reported RVR of 5500 feet and braking action fair. The aircraft continued to land on Rochester's RWY 22 at about 2335LT on Feb. 22nd (0435z Feb. 23rd) but overran the end of the runway by about 50-75 feet and came to a stop with all gear off the paved surface. Emergency services responded, the crew reported no injuries on board, no necessity to evacuate, the aircraft was shut down, APU was running. The passengers disembarked via mobile stairs and were bussed to the terminal. (Source: avherald.com)

Spanish Navy SPS Martin Posadillo in Valletta Port.

The Spanish naval auxiliary vessel SPS Martin Posadillo (A 04) has sailed into Valletta Port (Grand Harbour) this morning around 0835LT on a two-day courtesy visit.

The Spanish naval auxiliary is presently berthing alongside at Pinto-2 Wharf and she's expected to sail from Valletta Port tomorrow, February 24th, at 1630LT.

South Korean yard to build four fleet oilers for the U.K.'s Royal Fleet Auxiliary

South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering has won a £452 million (US$ 715.2 million) deal to equip Britain’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary with new military tankers. The South Korean yard has been named preferred bidder to build, in South Korea, four 37,000-ton auxiliary oilers using a design from leading British naval consultants BMT Defence Services. The British Ministry of Defence said no British companies had submitted final bids to build the vessels. (Source: defensenews.com)