Maksim covers aerospace developments in Central Asia for Aviation Week. He has worked for Russia's Air Transport Observer magazine and was in charge of several ATO sister aerospace publications after working for the Moscow-based CAST defense think tank.
Maksim has a degree in international relations from MGIMO University, Moscow.
MOSCOW — Sukhoi’s T-50 fifth-generation fighter prototype has undergone its first inflight refueling approach trials. According to Sukhoi, during a single flight earlier this month, the second flight prototype, T-50-2, accompanied by an Su-25UB aircraft, made nine contacts with an Ilyushin Il-78 flying tanker piloted by the Russian air force’s regular crew.
Russia's new regional Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft may lose its first customer—Armavia—if the parties cannot agree on the terms for delivery of two aircraft ordered in 2010. The dispute started in July when the Armenian airline threatened to cancel the delivery of the second SSJ100, due to failure to reach agreement on leasing terms worked out by Russian Vneshekonombank.
