Commander of the Iranian Air Force Brigadier General Hassan Shahsafi piloted a recently overhauled Northrop F-5 in a final flight test at Vahdati Airbase in Dezful, Khuzestan Province, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.

Brigadier General Shahsafi piloted a Northrop F-5 supersonic light fighter jet over an aviation exhibition at Vahdati Airbase in Dezful, Khuzestan Province.

The F-5 fighter was recently overhauled by Iranian technical experts.

The Iranian Air Force Commander performed a series of moves with the fighter jet, including flying at low altitude, aerobatic maneuvers, and touch-and-go landing which involves landing on a runway and taking off again without coming to a full stop.

In compliance with the approved guidelines, commanders of Iranian forces have been barred from performing operational or training flights. However, Brigadier General Shahsafai flew the overhauled fighter voluntarily after obtaining permission from Chief Army Commander Major General Abdolrahim Moussavi.

The Iranian Air Force in recent years has shown remarkable capability in building parts and equipment and overhauling different types of planes and helicopters in a bid to promote resistance economy and cut down on expenses, FNA added.

In a relevant development in February 2018, three grounded jet trainers and fighter jets, including an F-14 and an F-7 fighter aircraft, as well as a PC7 Turbo Trainer were overhauled at Shahid Babaei Airbase in Isfahan.