, the caption suggests Saha Air is preparing a new 707 (ex Iranian Air Force of course), so this might suggest that while their current 707s are now almost running out of hours or grounded due to spares issues, they might use this one for their passenger scheduled flights after March 2008.
Recently it was reported that Saha, as final 707 passenger airline, would quit their 707 flying after february, Airevents is even rushing a last trip in ferbruary to Iran to fly on it, but now it seems they will continue for a while yet, hopefully long enough for the 50th anniversary of 707 services in late 2008. Any comments or more news from anyone?
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7702 posts, RR: 55 Reply 1, posted (5 years 5 months 7 hours ago) and read 2637 times:
Oh man, I hope it's a new frame for Saha. I have flown on EP-SHV (twice), HU (three times), HK (four times), and expected that to be it. HV and HU will probably never fly again, and HK, currently doing all the flying (daylight flights THR-MHD-THR and a nightly THR-KIH-THR), is in a pretty poor state, at least to look at, esp internally. I would say worse condition that HU and HV were. I thought my last flight up from Kish would be my last seven-oh flight. If this mystery bird is coming into service (certainly looks like it, Shah-era Iranian flag notwithstanding), well, that's the best xmas present ever. Updates from Iran welcome please.
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
Nickwm From Italy, joined Oct 2007, 19 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (5 years 5 months 5 hours ago) and read 2550 times:
Now THAT would be some Xmas present
Always been a dream to fly on a 707, as one who missed the "peak" of 707 dominance in world aviation (I was born into the world of the 747, L1011 and DC-10) ... any info on possible ways to do so would be much appreciated! (Please feel free to e-mail with any info)
Cheers, Nick
Come rendere difficile il facile attraverso l'inutile
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11705 posts, RR: 52 Reply 4, posted (5 years 5 months 4 hours ago) and read 2510 times:
Quoting Nickwm (Reply 3): Always been a dream to fly on a 707, as one who missed the "peak" of 707 dominance in world aviation (I was born into the world of the 747, L1011 and DC-10) ... any info on possible ways to do so would be much appreciated! (Please feel free to e-mail with any info)
Cheers, Nick
Nick,
IIRC the Argentian AF still flys a B-707-320B in commerical service, too.
How many ex-IIAF B-707-320Cs is Sara getting? IIRC, the IIAF had 12 B-707, most in the tanker configueration. I believe they lost 4 of them over the years, and one KC-747
MEA-707 From Netherlands, joined Nov 1999, 4117 posts, RR: 37 Reply 5, posted (5 years 5 months 4 hours ago) and read 2481 times:
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 4): IIRC the Argentian AF still flys a B-707-320B in commerical service, too.
Unfortunately not, the Argentinean 707 is grounded since May 2006 for overhaul, it doesn't seem like it's getting back in pax service anytime, but let's keep on hoping.
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 4): How many ex-IIAF B-707-320Cs is Sara getting?
I think this will be the only one they will fly. Their pax schedule is to be covered by one aircraft at a time, even while they have 3 or 4 in their fleet, usually only one is flying whilst the other ones are overhauled or parked. On this moment EP-SHK is doing all their flights, but as Cedarjet describes it, it is to be replaced soon. The Iranian Air Force indeed might still have up to 10 other 707s (although I think some are wfu) Saha can take in the future if the current aircraft is tired.
Quoting Nickwm (Reply 3): any info on possible ways to do so would be much appreciated! (Please feel free to e-mail with any info)
It shouldn't be too hard. You can either book a trip with airevents.de, but Iran is easier to visit as individual tourist then you think.
If you are Italian, you can get a one week tourist visa on arrival. Then head to a Saha Air office or any travel agent in downtown Teheran and explain you want to fly on Saha Air, usually the Teheran-Masshad, or -Kish flights are most common but they also fly regularly to 2 or 3 other places. Prices are cheap, like E 20-30 one way. Plan to stay in Iran at least a few days for margin when the flights are full. There are some trip reports including mine which describe do's and don't in Iran a bit.
nobody has ever died from hard work, but why take the risk?
Nickwm From Italy, joined Oct 2007, 19 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (5 years 5 months 4 hours ago) and read 2468 times:
MEA-707, thanks for the info! Actually I am English by nationality, I only live and work in Italy. I don't know whether this would make anything more difficult in Iran given relations between the UK and Tehran? The perfect trip would be to squeeze in a THR-DAM-CCS on the 747SP as well, but I think that's a little optimistic
Cheers, Nick
Come rendere difficile il facile attraverso l'inutile
Jetjack74 From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 7335 posts, RR: 52 Reply 7, posted (5 years 5 months ago) and read 2373 times:
It's too bad that no US citizens can concievably fly on a 707 anymore. I attempted to fly on an MEA 707 in 1995 after reading a magazine article by Henry Tenby, but US citizens weren't cleared to travel to Lebanon, so I had to abandon that plan. I last flew on a 707/720 in Dec of 1987 from Luton to Las Palmas, on MEA ironically, OD-AVG and back on a 720B, OD-AFM. I would love to have the opportunity to fly on one of Saha's 707's before they go, but I don't think that's a possibilty.
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11705 posts, RR: 52 Reply 9, posted (5 years 4 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2104 times:
Quoting Jetjack74 (Reply 7): It's too bad that no US citizens can concievably fly on a 707 anymore.
If you can get to Iran, you should be able to fly abaoard the Sara B-707. Some US citizens have found unique (and legal) ways into and out of Iran.
TUGMASTER From Northern Mariana Islands, joined Jul 2004, 582 posts, RR: 10 Reply 10, posted (5 years 4 months 4 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 1989 times:
OK, just to wet your appitite, here's a tail shot of EP-SHU in better days (Feb 2007).
Myself and a couple of others including Cedarjet (above) had flown to KISH ISLAND from Shiraz especially to get a 3rd ride on this baby....when we left KIH, it was a gorgeous 22 degrees, but on arrival in THR it was snowing, as you can see in the picture.
This shot was made possible with the help of the SAHA conscripts ...sorry cabin crew..... who opened the rear door to have a smoke and let me lean out as far as possible to take the pic..... had to lean as there were no stairs...
ENJOY
EP-SHU
for some reason, i can;t seem to include the pic correctlu, but if you click on the small black dot above the reg , all will be revealed.
Airevents From Germany, joined Jan 2002, 811 posts, RR: 3 Reply 11, posted (5 years 4 months 4 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 1957 times:
Hey Tugmaster, you forgot to tell the audience how seconds later you fell down onto the apron fell from the aircraft door and spent the next three weeks in Tehran General Hospital. I guess for this phantastic picture it was worth it though! Happy XMAS!
TUGMASTER From Northern Mariana Islands, joined Jul 2004, 582 posts, RR: 10 Reply 13, posted (5 years 4 months 4 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 1947 times:
ha ha ha... happy christmas to you too....
I think your just jealous, cos' you opted to fly the Mahan Mad Dog back to THR, instead of coming with us on the Aria TU154 then partying on Kish beach....then the SAHA sweetie...
Yes... but I will also fly to Tehran in February 2008... I've planed that I have four flights with the Saha B707 - all other interesting planes (like the Tu 154 of Aria, Caspian, Eram, Iran Air Tours or Kish Air, the A300B2 of Mahan A300B2, the B727-200 of Iran Aseman, etc) I will checkt it directly in THR. I hope that I can get some of these aircrafts.
btw: Mahan's MadDogs are gone...
Off-Topic: Did Safiran operate the IrAn-140, or are they still grounded?
AirAmericaC46 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 590 posts, RR: 1 Reply 15, posted (5 years 4 months 4 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 1769 times:
So far, what routes had SAHA 707 flown? Thanks for the data.
Anybody knows if SAHA 747 was used on passenger flights too? What routes?
Aleksandar From Serbia, joined Jul 2000, 3229 posts, RR: 34 Reply 16, posted (5 years 4 months 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 1757 times:
Quoting Airevents (Reply 11): Hey Tugmaster, you forgot to tell the audience how seconds later you fell down onto the apron fell from the aircraft door and spent the next three weeks in Tehran General Hospital.
KC135TopBoom From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 11705 posts, RR: 52 Reply 17, posted (5 years 4 months 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 1725 times:
Quoting TUGMASTER (Reply 10): who opened the rear door to have a smoke and let me lean out as far as possible to take the pic
Smoking on the ground, near or in airplanes is a way to reduce the world wide B-707 fleet by one.........
Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7702 posts, RR: 55 Reply 19, posted (5 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 1513 times:
Anyone who wants to fly on a seven-oh should go on the Air Events trip in Feb which will also include some other Zoroastrian delights, definitely some Tupolevs of various independent Iranian airlines (eg Aria, Kish Air), definitely a 727, and I have heard rumours of an Iran-140. I really recommend it, the Saha 707 is a unique aviation experience, and Iran is such a friendly and fascinating country. And definitely a great conversation piece when you return (smitten).
There is no problem with Americans visiting Iran. Just get a visa from any Iranian embassy in any country (eg Ottowa, Canada). You will be very welcome. I have asked many Iranians if a US citizen would have a hard time in Iran, the answer is invariably that Americans are very welcome. And the tour operator in Iran that books domestic flights, minivan transfers, hotels et al have told me they regularly have American visitors. Don't believe the crap on Fox News, just GO THERE.
And btw I visited the Tugmaster in Tehran General Hospital, where he was strapped to a bed and being mistreated by Iranian children, they were climbing all over him cos they thought he was a ride. Wheee!
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
SIBILLE From Belgium, joined Jun 2005, 450 posts, RR: 3 Reply 20, posted (5 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 1500 times:
Quoting Cedarjet (Reply 19): I have heard rumours of an Iran-140
Where did you get these informations?
I though only Safiran was operating IrAn-140 and it seems they ceased operation and these aircrafts are now flying for Iranian Police......
Sad the IrAn-140 (as An-140) is not a succes. A few years ago, they expected to build a lot of them for Iranian airlines and even exportation.......
Could someone bring more informations (or is it better to start a new topic).
Cedarjet From United Kingdom, joined May 1999, 7702 posts, RR: 55 Reply 21, posted (5 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 1489 times:
Forgot to say, the 707 in the opening post was delivered in 1972, so it's quite a lot older than the previous machines that have been cycled through the Saha fleet (HU, HV, the current HK and the crashed HE) which were all delivered in 1976 (making them younger than the immaculate IR 727s that still do a lot of flying for the national airline).
And the Iran 140 rumour came from the chap in Shiraz that Air Events use for local arrangements in Iran. He is working on finding one, but whether it will be a special charter / sightseeing flight or seats on a normal schedule, I can't say. I don't know if any are flying anything close to a schedule right now. I must say I was impressed when he mentioned it - probably the most rare jet transport in the world right now, unless someone revives a Y-10 or Tu-144.
fly Saha Air 707s daily from Tehran's downtown Mehrabad to Mashhad, Kish Island and Ahwaz
TUGMASTER From Northern Mariana Islands, joined Jul 2004, 582 posts, RR: 10 Reply 22, posted (5 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 1453 times:
well well well,
there seems to be a bit of controversy regarding this thread....
Quoting Viasa (Reply 14): I've planed that I have four flights with the Saha B707 - all other interesting planes (like the Tu 154 of Aria, Caspian, Eram, Iran Air Tours or Kish Air, the A300B2 of Mahan A300B2, the B727-200 of Iran Aseman, etc) I will checkt it directly in THR.
all these are very nice rides...... infact last time i was in good old THR, i managed to jumpseat the IR 727 into Bandar Abbas,...very freindly crew....the the next morning the scheduled 727 back to THR was subbed for a A300B2.. an absolute pleasure... let me say..
Also, a said contributer to the thread, decided to stay in bed all day rather than experience this.... FOOL...
And i think you'll find that only IR fly the B2...not Mahan..
Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 17): Smoking on the ground, near or in airplanes is a way to reduce the world wide B-707 fleet by one.........
Smoking on these birds seem to be the way of life out in the Iranian neck of the woods.... goes very much hand in hand with using you mobile phone whilst up in the air.....
Quoting Airevents (Reply 11): Hey Tugmaster, you forgot to tell the audience how seconds later you fell down onto the apron fell from the aircraft door and spent the next three weeks in Tehran General Hospital.
Quoting Airevents (Reply 11):
Hey Tugmaster, you forgot to tell the audience how seconds later you fell down onto the apron fell from the aircraft door and spent the next three weeks in Tehran General Hospital.
What?
Quoting Cedarjet (Reply 19): And btw I visited the Tugmaster in Tehran General Hospital, where he was strapped to a bed and being mistreated by Iranian children, they were climbing all over him cos they thought he was a ride. Wheee!
Why d'you all think The Hospitals in THR to be POO....??
all i'm saying is don't knock it till you've tried it...
BTW, as a nice little treat ...on my return flight to LHR, the good old Persian's only managed to roll out EP-IAB.. a fantastic end to a great trip..
in case your wondering... the guy who stayed in bed all day was......
Eirik From Norway, joined Mar 2005, 111 posts, RR: 1 Reply 23, posted (5 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 1418 times:
Hi there
Unforgettable memories from Iran Feb. 2007, those who have the chance should take the trip as soon as possible.
And yes, a fantastic last day, starting in Shiraz/ Persepolis, the afternoon on the beach in Kish, and returning 'home' to snowy Tehran in the late evening onboard the 707; the day´s highlight. The great memories from this trip and the one done a month later; THR-DAM- across the Atlantic to Caracas on Iran Airs 747SP, in Homa class will stay with me all my days.
Actually, I think the tail-picture shown above is the one I took AFTER you fell out, Tugmaster..
Quoting Cedarjet (Reply 19): Anyone who wants to fly on a seven-oh should go on the Air Events trip in Feb which will also include some other Zoroastrian delights,
That's what I like to say. Go to Iran (asap) if you like travel on this wonderfull plane. It could be too late after February...
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I've planed that I have four flights with the Saha B707 - all other interesting planes (like the Tu 154 of Aria, Caspian, Eram, Iran Air Tours or Kish Air, the A300B2 of Mahan A300B2, the B727-200 of Iran Aseman, etc) I will checkt it directly in THR. I hope that I can get some of these aircrafts.
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