Bermuda could be in line for a massive cash spin-off from a billion-dollar deal for Russian aircraft.

And The Royal Gazette has learned that Bermuda Aircraft Registry chiefs have already opened talks with a view to slapping Bermuda's unique VR-B registration mark on the tails of the new planes.

The former Soviet Republic's Aeroflot airline -- which has already registered planes in Bermuda -- has just filled $1 billion shopping basket with 20 brand-new Russian-built Ilyushin-96 jets, built in Russia but with US technology.

And the registrations for the new aircraft could be winging their way to the Island -- which could land more than $600,000 in Government's treasure chest.

Yesterday, Director of Civil Aviation Herman Tucker confirmed the Bermuda authorities had been in discussions with the US Federal Aviation Administration and the bank partly brokering the deal, US-based EXIM, which was heavily involved in the previous deal.

Mr. Tucker said Bermuda would be "more than happy'' to sign up the aircraft -- which would be the biggest single coup ever for the Island Registry.

The Aircraft Registry is already proving to be a major money spinner for Government -- in the last two years, the Department of Civil Aviation has raised average revenues of $1.6 million against expenditures of $1 million.

But he added the deal was still up in the air over certification of the new aircraft with a recognised authority.

Mr. Tucker explained the US-built Boeings were passed by the FAA -- but Ilyushin products were certified only in Russia.

He said: "We would only accept FAA registration or any recognised western certification -- the Russian certification is not something we would be comfortable with.

"I know the Americans are working very closely with the manufacturers -- if things work out, we would look at it.

"If these aircraft were to get certification in the west, we would be more than happy to sign them up.'' The Americans are deeply involved in the deal -- the contract for the planes involves, for the first time at Ilyushin, the use of US Pratt and Whitney engines and Rockwell Collins electronics, which is likely to improve the product's image in western eyes.

Mr. Tucker agreed registering the planes in Bermuda would easily beat the standing record for the biggest single sign-up -- the previous Aeroflot deal, which involved ten Boeing 737s and two of the new 777s, revealed by The Royal Gazette in May.

But he insisted: "We are not in the business of numbers -- we have an obligation to ensure safety is the primary consideration.

"We are not saying Ilyushins are not safe. But they would have to go through a certification programme we recognise.'' Graphic file name: HERMTUCK Herman Tucker