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My impression of Iran, coming from the general news media, wasn't one of
people playing and having fun. In my head I knew better—that people are basically the
same everywhere, and that most differences arising from the cultures they're
born into.
So it was fun getting an email from 22 year old Iranian pilot Farzad, aka Mohamad Mehdi. I was fascinated to hear his
completely different side of life in Iran rather than what we're fed by
the news media. Not do deride media outlets, but it is certainly quite
limited.
Life goes on. And its so refreshing to find people pursuing their
passions. Behind the headlines, behind the rhetoric, I can imagine enthusing with these folks over
the incredible
freedom and mutual love of flight. I asked if he would be willing to
write about their aerial life. His English is much better than my Farsi
but it's not his first language. My hat's off to anyone who learns
another language which, I'm ashamed to say, I have never done.
He was kind enough to answer some questions, too, which I have included
below, edited slightly for clarity.
Thanks Farzad!
Besides describing some Iranian flying details, he also asked got some of his friends to include a short bio. They write:
The weather from Spring to Autumn is good
and, even in winter we can fly at a special site in south of Iran. Your opinion is actually true about connecting between
cultures. Pilots age range is between
20 to 40. Farzad Farkhondekalam
 I
started paragliding from 1996 (1375) and Paramotoring from 2007. We fly
in sandy desert, beach, jungle, mountainous areas, and our club in
the city. We don’t have any limitation to pleasure of flight. I invite
everybody from anywhere to flying with our team in Iran. I should
say a sentence to my father: I love you father because you teach me
to fly. In Iran we teach flying to
our student in 4 level per FAI law we have 6 international
instructor that they tech to fly with Paraglider and Paramotor to
men and women.
Nafise Soleimani
 I
fly with paramotor from 2008 until now. I did that because it is an
exiting field of sport. In Iran like the other advanced countries
women can fly simply. There is no limitation for us. The only reason
of difference between the number of men and women pilot's is that
men are more interested. This difference doesn't mean that we can
not fly here. So I suggest to women of all around the world to come
here and enjoy of naturally beautiful sites of Iran. Also I thank
the sir Farokh Farkhondekalam (my instructor) for everything.
Vahid Harandi
 My
name is Vahid and I'm 24 years old.It's about 3years that I fly with
paraglider and 2 years that I fly with Paramotor. Its an exciting and challenging sport that,
when I do it, I feel free everybody can learn to fly simply and
easily. On Feb 20, 2011, I got a note
from Vahid. He is apparently now producing paramotors in Iran and
has a website that he asked me to include. By all means. Given how
the only thing I ever hear about Iran seems to be bad news from the
Media, it's really cool to realize that they're people, just like
us, wanting to enjoy life. So please visit the make of Iran's own
paramotor "Metal Bird" at
www.passionflyer.com.
Here are the questions Farzad was kind enough to answer:
1. How many paramotor pilots are there in Iran? Male? Female?
I think we have about 1000 active paraglider pilot and about 100
active paramotor pilot.( I just know 2 women that they fly with
paramotor that I send one of theme picture to you.)
2. What are the airspace restrictions?
We can fly easily every where that we want but not at military
and security places( like the airport).
3. Is special permission required to fly?
In Iran we have a air sport federation that give FAI
certification to PILOT. But I never was at condition that I should
show it to anybody.
4. Are there any active schools? It looks like you may be training.
There is much active school in Iran and we have a Paragliding &
Paramotoring & skydiving school.
5. Right now there is a lot of animosity between the US and Iranian
governments, especially considering those 3 they are holding as Americans
spies. Readers would like to know how safe it is to travel to Iran?
Iran Islamic Government is not good but in every country there is
much law to safe traveling. Every body that have Iran visa can
travel safe to Iran and enjoy flying. I remember that last year some
body from Germany come to Iran for Paramotoring. Somebody from
Europe came to Iran and show acrobatics to Iranian pilots. A
trainer from Germany ( UP team) come to Iran to teach XC flight. The
ParaAVIS team come (from Russia) comes to Iran more and more.
6. Was about gas and oil which is obviously readily available. 7.
When do you typically fly?
We fly every day that we want simply in our school or other
sites.
8. How many paramotor pilots do you think there are in Iran?
There is more than 100 paramotor pilot but I don’t think all of
theme is active.
9. Does anybody do any paramotor competition?
We don’t have any paramotor competition but I will design a super
paramotor competition in our school for about 20 people.
10. Was about flying conditions. Answered elsehwere. 11. Is it easy
to find launch sites? How do you get permission?
We don’t need any special permission. Its easy to find safe place
to fly because in Iran there is many good places to fly every where.
In desert , jungle , beach and city.
12. Can you fly from just about anywhere you find a flat spot?
If there was not a military and security place we can fly there.
13. Is there any other personal for-fun aviation going on in Iran?
There is 2 local airports that they teach to people to fly with
ultra light airplane and other things.
14. Is there a website where we can go to see your paramotor
activity?
I have a web site that is at design level .
Lets hope we can fly with these folks someday and share the joy
available to just being a fellow human. |
