The first prototype of the Iranian Kowsar-88 basic jet trainer made its first flight at the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force‘s (IRIAF’s) Third Tactical Fighter Base at Hamedan (also known as the Martyr Nojeh base), most probably on October 15. Apparently renamed as the Yasin, the aircraft was formally unveiled on October 16 in a ceremony attended by Iran’s defense minister, Brigadier General Ali Hatami, Commander of the Air Force, Brigadier General (pilot) Nasirzadeh, and Vice President for Science and Technology, Surena Stari.
Designed by the Iran Aviation Industries Organization’s Aerospace Research Centre, the aircraft incorporates a number of lessons learned from the failed Ya-Hossein advanced-trainer project, under which Owj produced a succession of designs, starting with the Dorna (Lark), then the Tondar (Thunder), and finally the Tazarv (Pheasant). Many of the Owj Complex engineers and technicians were transferred to the Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation (IAMI, but better known by its Persian acronym, HESA), which was to be responsible for the new program.
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