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Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — After dismounting from his horse, “Abiya,” to announce the unification of the Kingdom and outline its geographic boundaries to the world, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud took to the skies aboard the “Dakota DC-3,” with a great mission of connecting Saudi Arabia with the global community and establishing its political map.
The saga of the Dakota began when U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided to present a gift to King Abdulaziz. He consulted with his advisors about suitable gift options for a “Saudi King in a desert region.” One advisor, Dr. Snyder, suggested that a plane would be the most fitting gift.
On February 14, 1945, the Dakota, gifted by President Roosevelt, landed on the dirt runway that is now home to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jeddah. Prince Mansour bin Abdulaziz received the aircraft from its American pilot, delivering a speech on behalf of King Abdulaziz and conveying gratitude to the U.S. government.
The Dakota marked the beginning of civil aviation in Saudi Arabia. On September 30, 1945, King Abdulaziz embarked on his inaugural flight aboard the Dakota, flying from Al-Afeef near Riyadh to Al-Hawiyah in Taif. The flight was piloted by American Captain Joe Grand, assisted by Saudi co-pilot Hamza Tarabzoni. One of the notable features of the Dakota was its ability to land on unpaved, flat areas, which allowed it to reach various parts of the Kingdom easily.
This capability enabled the aviation sector to connect the different administrative regions of Saudi Arabia.
During this journey, King Abdulaziz realized the efficiency of air travel for connecting the nation. Upon landing from Al-Afeef to Al-Hawiyah route, impressed by the speed and ease of flying, he decided to purchase two additional planes. This marked the beginning of civil aviation, fulfilling King Abdulaziz’s vision of expanding flying experience within the country.
The Dakota DC-3 was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft in 1935. It is a twin-engine, low-wing monoplane capable of accommodating 28 passengers, with a maximum payload of 6,000 pounds (2,725 kg). The aircraft is approximately 20 meters long, with a wingspan of 30 meters, and can reach speeds of up to 370 kilometers per hour.
The early pioneers laid a solid foundation that later aligned with the Chicago Convention, which set international standards for airports. Sarhan’s efforts were invaluable, as each site he selected complied with the criteria established later by international organizations.
The first international flight took off under King Abdulaziz’s orders to transport Palestinian pilgrims to the holy sites.
King Abdulaziz established the foundation of air navigation in the Kingdom, viewing it as a crucial means to achieve his objectives. King Saud significantly advanced this sector during his reign, and the kings, who succeeded including King Faisal, continued to build upon this legacy. Since the early days of the modern Saudi state, the aviation sector has benefited from generous support and a forward-thinking vision of connecting the Kingdom to the world.
This commitment is evident in the fact that Saudi Arabia has operated aircraft types not owned by many larger nations. It was the first operator of Boeing 707s, 747 jumbo jets, and L1011 TriStars in the Middle East. The goal of acquiring these aircraft extended beyond connecting the Kingdom’s regions to establishing global links.
King Abdulaziz possessed a swift vision that embodied the transition from camels to airplanes.
