Not surprisingly perhaps I have more hours as a passenger on Soviet/Russian types than “western” ones, and I’m still here after some 30 yrs of flying on them. This includes such carriers as CAAK/Air Koryo, MIAT Mongolian Airlines amongst others, as well as larger flag carriers such as Aeroflot, Interflug and Tarom etc. As far as the Tu154 is concerned, when aircraft numbers in service and passenger kms flown over the years are taken into account as well as the difficult operational and weather conditions that this type regularly encounters, then its safety record is no worse than comparable “western” types, and in some cases is actually better. I am not sure but I dont think that there has ever been a Tu154 brought down by actual failure of the airframe due to fatigue or corrosion, but I stand ready to be corrected.

Needless to say condolances to all concerned:(

There are always people on the Forum knocking Ryanair.

Absolutely! And I’m proud to be one of them :p

Thanks Molly for alot of laughs. At work back in the Cold War days we quite often used to see an Aeroflot No:1 C/A on Tu134s who was an absolute ringer for Mrs Slocombe…including the hair! RIP:(

Another great actor gone. Always liked the Streets of San Francisco, that movie Bombers B52 is woth it for the flying scenes alone. RIP old friend 🙁

I know its not an Antonov, Ilyushin or a Tupolev, but I really like the MD80 Srs and that livery is just great on one. Thanks for posting 🙂

Great shots. That Air Malta scheme seems to be standing the test of time well.

Always look forward to yours GA! Cheers. 🙂

Not good news, at least not a total cancellation of the entire order. Ironic in a way that for Airbus the A350 XWB may in the end have an easier ride into service production, purely because the financial landscape may be better with industry confidence returning. Don’t envy Boeing on this one-its never easy being first, especially in a recession.