Iran Air Pilot Launches Campaign Against Aviation Sanctions

Oh, I wouldn’t disagree with a word of what you say. I was just suggesting that if the sanctions continue, it may well be that for Iranian airlines to continue to operate international services in the future, they might find themselves in the position of having to operate types made by Ilyushin, Antonov, Sukhoi and Tupolev. Either that, or hope that their continued circumventing of sanctions, will enable them to keep their fleets of geriatric ‘western’ jets flying.

IMO, we may yet still see Iran Air colours adorning an Ilyushin IL96, a Sukhoi Superjet, or even the Antonov An148, which if the rumours are to be believed, will possibly be built locally, as is already the case with the Antonov An140. Interesting times.

Its possible I guess, but surely the airlines would have already bought aircraft like the IL96 by now if they wanted them. The reality is that the Iranian airlines have a very strong preference for western built jets and of late have been avoiding eastern metal like the plague (e.g. they have grounded all Tu154’s – that clearly says something).

Having had a 25yr career in civil aviation, mostly within an operations environment, I know exactly where you’re coming from, in respect to the stigma attached to Russian/Chinese airliners. It will be interesting where the civil aviation embargo against Iran, will eventually lead. Indeed, IMO, we may yet still see Iran Air colours adorning an Ilyushin IL96, a Sukhoi Superjet, or even the Antonov An148, which if the rumours are to be believed, will possibly be built locally, as is already the case with the Antonov An140. Interesting times.

MSR

The simple answer is basically local perception, mention Russian Aircraft to Jo Average Iranian Woman/Man they will automatically think DANGER and AIRCRASH its a world wide phenomena when it comes to Russian/Chinese aircraft we as Aviation professionals know otherwise but when you tell your public your modernising your fleet Russian/Chinese made equipment will be the last on thier minds thus lay the problem.

To dig deeper into the Question Mr/Ms J Boyle asked reference the Spare parts unfortunatly when you talk about the Iranians reverse engineering something they will always have help, in terms of thier Nuclear program the plans and expertise came from Russia, in terms of thier Military Aviation Program I have it on good Authority that the Chinese helped on this matter.

Now the spare parts to be reversed engineered its not a difficult task you may say but who in thier right mind would want to help FORGE Aircraft parts more so when it comes to Testing these Forged parts you are talking about assembling a supply line/factory of said parts and the reverse engineering will be without no forms of Plans to look at and each part could well be touch and go.

Besides apart from the embargo of supply and demand in Iran, do you think any CAA in Europe will allow them then to fly into Europe knowing full well thier Aircraft are full of FORGED Spare parts and again do you as a Jo Average Iranian would be willing to take a risk with a potentially default part that is forged then comes the INSURANCE companies who in the first place ONLY INSURE Iranian Aircraft due to Goverment Subsedies but Personally I think they would FLATLY REJECT Any insurance claim that may arise from a crash due to an Unlisenced replica of an aircraft spare part.

I must also inform you that I totaly reject the theory of the Iranian captain in question due to the fact I know that there are many Newer Aircraft now entering the Iranian Market using an Array of Eastern European and African AOCs under the disguise of ACMI contracts and then for the planes to be sold directly to the Airlines in Questions, a good example of this would be the 2 Former GERMAN AIR FORCE A310s which used to transport the Chancellor but got bought by a Ukrainian Company then Sold to an Iranian company with a HUGE Spars Package I believe this was briefly covered by Airliner world in 2010.

I believe the Use of the language used by the Iranian Captain was deliberate in terms of shocking the international view point to perhaps enhance the bargaining power of at least lifting the embargo on the civil aviation sector in Iran WHICH PERSONALLY I WHOLE HEARTEDLY Support as a Proffessional within Aviation I always wish the safest of flights for all travellers around the world wherever they might be, and I absolutly hate the colonial mentality of the USA in terms of IF YOUR NOT WITH US, WE WILL PUNISH YOUR ENTIRE COUNTRY NOT JUST YOUR GOVERMENT/MILITARY, good example IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN, VIETNAM ETC ETC…

As J Boyle mentions in #4, I can’t understand why we are not seeing more Russian, or to a lesser extent, Chinese airliners, in the colours of the likes of Iran Air, Mahan Air, Iran Asseman Airlines etc. There would appear to be Russian aircraft types available, that could fulfil some, if not all, operational requirements of Iranian airlines.

Chaps & Chapettes

I have reinstated this thread minus the insults etc. Please can we not let it degenerate into an anti Iran/America political thread please, I know politics is hard to steer clear from in a subject such as this, but if we want to discuss Iran/American politics then we have a General Chat forum for that.

Matt-100, is it a fact that Iran have a “nuclear weapons program” or is it just your opinion? If you are saying it’s a fact then please back it up with sources (with a new thread on the GD forum), if it’s your opinion then please make that clear.

As a side note, I have received alot of PMs regarding the moderation. May I remind you all that our bible is the Code of Conduct posted on each forum. Personal opinions and healthy discussion that fall within this CoC is welcome here. It is not the job of the moderators to take sides, even if we like/dislike people’s personal opinions.

Touch and Go

As much as I would like to respond to some of your most interesting points you have made along the very important question raised by Mr/s Boyle reference spares.

I urge to refere to my article which I am happy to forward you a copy a day or so prior to publication, as I shall be speaking on this particular subject from an Aviation point of view from someone who is high up there in Management.

Anyways forgive me if you feel that am high jacking your post (excuse the pun) but I was taken aback on how NARROW MINDED ZIONISTS CAN BE…

Again…if they’re clever enought to have an atomic program…why can’t they make spares?

And how about answers to the other questions raised in post 4?

Guys, I know there is a political element to this subject, but please let’s try and keep the thread on the main topic of commercial aviation.

Any thoughts on the following points?:

It would be interesting to learn of peoples thoughts on Shahbazi’s comments:

• Did he say the right thing, and was there an upside to safety in his comments, and if so, what?

• Or was it a cheap, selfish and short-sighted attempt at fear mongering on his part, to try to elevate his media exposure and celebrity status?

I hope there aren’t any ‘easing on the pressures facing airlines in Iran’…

Let’s just take a step back and look at why Iran has sanctions in the first place; Iran is, as I’m sure you’re aware, in the process of developing nuclear weapons. With Iran having an unstable government, there’s no telling if these weapons are just for deterrence. I’m sure the last thing anyone wants is to wake up in the morning to see a nuked Israel on page 1 of the papers.

If Iran wants the spare parts so badly, all it has to do is abandon its nuclear program.

In fact an Iran Air crash might even put pressure on the Iran government to abandon the program, to allow vital spare parts through to the airlines. So I’m really against any easing of pressures.

Matt you need to lay off Fox and NBC for your sources of information please allow me to jog your memory for a little bit.

1. America Accuses Iraw of having WMD not only that but WMD that can deployed in 45min (THAT TURNED OUT TO BE ABSOLUTE UTTER RUBBISH)

2. The Islamic Republic of Iran is a signatory to the IAEA Non prolifiration treaty since its inception (ISRAEL HAS NEVER EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED IT NOR SIGNED UP TO IT)

3. If my History serves me right the USA is and has always been the only country to have commited Genocide with the use of Nuclear weapons or have you forgotten Hiroshima etc?

4. Also may I remind you of the Chemical weapons used against unarmed civilians in both the Occupied Republic of Palestine and the Occupied Republic of Lebanon by Israel not my words its the words of the UN.

5. May I also remind you that the former and current General Secretary of the IAEA Have both catigorically stated there is no EVIDENCE not even proof but EVIDENCE that Iran’s Nuclear program is anything but for peaceful Energy use.

6. How many Wars and Massacres have been conducted by the USA around the world and by Israel Regionally and not forgetting the various Wars launched unprovoked by both sides, (THE NUMBER IS ENDLESS).

7. How many Wars has Iran Started not even one, the only War was the 7 year War with Iraq which Saddam with the Help of Israel and the USA started against Iran Unprovoked.

8. Are you also forgetting Israel has over 200 Nukes so if anyone is unstable and is willing to use them it would be Israel as it has no respect for international Law.

9. How many UN Resolution has Israel failed to comply with until this day Last time I check with the UN it was over 700 Resolutions so you do the Maths.

Now the politics is out of the way, Its shameful by anyone remotly connected to Aviation to glorify any potential hazard connected to COMMERCIAL CIVILIAN OPERATIONS in the way you have done so and to Justify it with absolute UTTER RUBBISH PROPAGANDA is beyond shameful.

No one is stating Iran is an Innocent Angel or Innocent party in anything but the facts speak loud and clear, It is tantamount to willful attempted Murder putting embargo on CIVIL Operations that have no MILITARY connection both directly or indirectly, to basically Collectively punish an entire NATION/PEOPLE based on the PROPAGANDA and LIES against thier goverment is wrong morally and otherwise, please also do not forget that 49% of the population voted against the current goverment.

Lastly there are many PRIVATE companies in Iran owned by DUAL Nationals holding US and European Passports who have paid thier Taxes to the IRS and the European Tax systems way before embarking on thier Ventures in Iran should they Also be Punished.

This Embargo is nothing short of a Joke to Please Israel and AIPAC and more to do with Squizzing PETROL from Iran now that the USA has Saturated its STOLEN supplies from IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN.

This has nothing to do with World Security since the USA is the WORST COUNTRY in the World to lecture the 195 Countries in the UN about CIVIL RIGHTS AND PEACE……

Matt you need to be more clever in what you read and where you get your Information and do not be a SHEEP…….

What have civilian airline operations got to do with a nuclear energy program

Nothing, on the face of it… But firstly, this isn’t an nuclear energy program – it’s a nuclear weapons program.

I’ll spare you the politics, the long of the short of it is it would not be good if Iran were to complete its nuclear program and have nuclear weapons. Because the US elections are just around the corner another Iraq style war is off the cards – so instead we must turn to trade embargoes as a short term solution to make Iran’s job that little bit more difficult and as a vain attempt to persuade the Iranian government to stop the program altogether.

It is for the very reason these embargoes are so hard hitting, and damage so many different sections of the economy (eg. Aviation, as we’ve seen) – that they are used.
If it was just Iran’s weekly installment of Japanese Manga comics that failed to get through due to the embargo – I doubt the Iranians would really care… But because the embargo has such wide consequences it has an impact.

So to conclude – and to answer your question – if the Iran government abandoned its nuclear program, the embargo would be lifted and Iran Air could get its vital spare parts.

if they want spare parts all they need do is abandon their nuclear program.

What have civilian airline operations got to do with a nuclear energy program, apart from the fact that they are being exploited as a bargaining chip by the “Western countries” as you call them?

Iran can’t pick and choose which trade restriction to abide by to suite their own needs. If they could, then there would be no point having any trade embargos at all… I’m sure this is also the politician’s stance on Iran’s trade restrictions.

Let’s remember, it’s not us Western countries that are in the wrong – it’s Iran… Like I said, if they want spare parts all they need do is abandon their nuclear program.

It’s the Iran government that are stopping spare parts getting through to Iran Air, not us – they have only themselves to blame. (I don’t see any other civil democratic countries with spare part restrictions)

I hope there aren’t any ‘easing on the pressures facing airlines in Iran’…

It’s disappointing that you support a policy which increases the safety risks to civilian passengers and crews – surely civilians deserve the right to safe travel…?

Iran produces a licence built copy of the Antonov 140 propliner. Built as the HESA IrAn 140, the Iranian version can carry 52 passengers. HESA also produce a range of civil and military helicopters, under the name Shahed. One of which is a carbon copy of the Bell Jetranger. One of the newer models is the Shahed 285, which looks very similar to the US made Apache attack helicopter.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/202680.html

According to the Iranian Press TV news channel, negotiations are presently under way, for HESA to licence build the An148 jetliner in Iran.

A few questions….
How hard is it to buy spares (or even entire aircraft) on the black market?
Why not buy Russian or Chinese aircraft?

Also, Iran periodically trots out a model/mockup or prototype of a new military jet. With those capabilities, why can’t they produce airliner spares? I’m guessing it’s not because they don’t want to violate patents or licenses.

Some interesting articles. I’m not quite sure where this guys coming from. I certainly agree with you, that some of his remarks are definately disrespectful to those hard working technicians and engineers, who in the true spirit of aviators everywhere, do their utmost to keep ’em flying safely. I think that an easing of sanctions against Iranian carriers, would be in the interests of not only the Iranian airlines themselves but also the worlds aerospace manufacturers, the companies involved in the spares and support industries, and surely most importantly of all, in the interests all those passengers and crews who fly on these airlines every day.

I hope there aren’t any ‘easing on the pressures facing airlines in Iran’…

Let’s just take a step back and look at why Iran has sanctions in the first place; Iran is, as I’m sure you’re aware, in the process of developing nuclear weapons. With Iran having an unstable government, there’s no telling if these weapons are just for deterrence. I’m sure the last thing anyone wants is to wake up in the morning to see a nuked Israel on page 1 of the papers.

If Iran wants the spare parts so badly, all it has to do is abandon its nuclear program.

In fact an Iran Air crash might even put pressure on the Iran government to abandon the program, to allow vital spare parts through to the airlines. So I’m really against any easing of pressures.