Efforts to return the Iraqi air force’s five remaining Aerocomp Comp Air 7SLX observation aircraft to service bore fruit last week, with the first flight of a reassembled test aircraft at Edwards AFB, California. Donated by the United Arab Emirates in late 2004, Iraq’s Comp Airs were grounded in May 2005 after a fatal crash. The 25 April test success followed a two-month process to return the kit-built aircraft to factory condition.

Comp Air landing W445
                                                                                                                    ©  USAF / Jet Fabara

Source: Flight International