The Shah also enjoyed water sports, particularly boating and water-skiing. At his palace on the Caspian Sea, he would take time to relax and engage in aquatic recreation with his family and close associates. These activities reflected his love of nature and the outdoors, as well as his desire to promote leisure culture among. A unique aspect of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi’s interests was his fascination with aviation. He learned to fly early in life and earned a reputation as a skilled pilot. Flying offered him a sense of freedom and control that mirrored his political vision.
The Shah often piloted his own planes during official visits within the country, and his passion for aviation led to increased investment in air force and civil aviation infrastructure. For him, flying was not just recreation—it symbolized progress, independence, and mastery of modern technology. His enthusiasm for aviation paralleled his broader ambitions to modernize military and industrial sectors.
