Comco

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This article is about the aircraft operator. For other uses, see COMCO.
Comco
Comco Boeing 757-200 CBR Gilbert-1.jpg
N226G photographed at Canberra Airport, Australia
Founded2002
Fleet size2
DestinationsGlobal
Parent companyL3Harris Technologies
HeadquartersHelena, Montana

Comco is the de facto name of an American company operating two Boeing 757 aircraft. The aircraft are painted white, and have either the word COMCO on the tail or stylized blue sweeps on the tail, fuselage, and engine cowling. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registry lists the owner of the aircraft as L-3 Capital,[1][2] an assumed subsidiary of defense contractor L3Harris.

Little is known about the exact nature of their operation, but the aircraft are believed to operate on behalf of the United States Department of Defense.[3] There is speculation they are occasionally repainted to display military serial numbers instead of the customary civilian registration code.[4] They are often confused with the similarly secretive and sparsely marked Boeing C-32B Gatekeeper aircraft, modified 757's operated by the U.S. Air Force.

When parked and unused, the aircraft have padlocks which seal each of the exits, a highly unusual modification for an aircraft of its type and size.[5]

Fleet[]

As of June 2019, Comco operates 2 Boeing 757-200s, which both aircraft are operating in the defense segment of L3Harris.[6] Both aircraft are powered by the Rolls-Royce RB-211.[1][7] Until 2016, the planes used by Comco only had a black Comco lettering on the vertical stabilizer, with a partial black cheatline forward of the wing and "Boeing 757" in small lettering beneath the aft windows. In 2017, the lettering was replaced by small navy and teal swoosh graphics, and the Rolls-Royce logos on the engine nacelles were removed.[8]

Incidents[]

In 2003, a Comco aircraft, registration N610G, was forced to land after being intercepted by aircraft from the Indian Air Force after it strayed into Indian airspace on a flight from Karachi to Malé.[9][10] The flight was permitted to continue after the crew were interviewed by authorities.

References[]

  1. ^ a b "N226G Inquiry Results". FAA Registry. Federal Aviation Administration. 30 January 2003. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  2. ^ "N610G Inquiry Results". FAA Registry. Federal Aviation Administration. 4 March 2003. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  3. ^ Booth, Robert (1 November 2009). "'Torture flight' plane spotted in Birmingham". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  4. ^ RobK (11 July 2018). "Response to: 757's Parked at RIC". Airliners.net Discussion Forums. VerticalScope. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  5. ^ DBC (2008-04-30), The Mysterious Comco 757, retrieved 2021-07-26
  6. ^ "COMCO Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. Thomas Noack. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  7. ^ v1images.com, Jason Nicholls / (2007-11-03), N610G COMCO Boeing 757-22L, retrieved 2021-07-04
  8. ^ jw2513 (2015-11-11), N610G, retrieved 2021-07-04
  9. ^ "India Forces Cargo Plane to Land". Plainview Daily Herald. Hearst. 3 February 2003. Retrieved 14 November 2018.
  10. ^ "US plane ordered to land in Mumbai". Rediff.com. Press Trust of India. 3 February 2003. Retrieved 21 October 2019.

External links[]


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