WASHINGTON — Orders for big-ticket manufactured goods rose for a third consecutive month in February, bolstered by strong demand for commercial aircraft and machinery.

The hope is that continued strength in manufacturing will help sustain the economic recovery.

The Commerce Department said this morning orders for durable goods advanced 0.5 percent last month, slightly lower than the 0.7 percent gain economists had expected.

The increase was led by the second huge jump in demand for commercial aircraft, an increase of 32.7 percent which followed a 134.9 percent rise in this volatile category in January.

Excluding transportation, orders posted a 0.9 percent increase, much better than the 0.6 percent decline in January.