In 1939, the North American Aviation Harvard was imported from the United States into Canada. These single-engine aircrafts were built by North American Aviation and were used during the Second World War to train 130,000 aircrew under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada. According to André Brisson, a member of CHAA, the Harvard is “specifically designed not to work well to trick and test the pilot.” The Harvard is a single most advanced trainer. Once one mastered flying this plane they then could become bomber pilots on the Spitfire or the Avro Lancaster.
About 500 to 600 people milled around the Tillsonburg Airport on Saturday getting glimpses of the various vintage plans on the grounds and the booths of souvenirs and information. Some participants had the opportunity to take to the skies by purchasing time to fly with Harvard pilots. The weather on Saturday was beautiful. But Terry reported that the winds suddenly would pick up from zero to 50 knots. Warm weather could create more "thermal which is great for gliders and Turkey Vultures but can be a rough ride in a Harvard." Veterans attended workshops and networked. A banquet on Saturday night capped the evening off. About 200 quests were expected to fill a hanger donated by Danny Richer. The guest speaker for the evening was the Lieutenant-General (Retired) Allan DeQuetteville, Commander, Air Command in Canada from 1995 to 1997. The finally occurred at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday; a mass formation of more than a dozen Harvards thundering over the Tillsonburg Regional Airport.
Monthly Open House/Fly Days occur on Saturdays on these dates: July 12th and August 2, 2014
From their website: “for the sixth consecutive year CHAA and its Formation Team will be demonstrating at and supporting the Waterloo Air Show.”
They will also host their 7th Annually Wings & Wheels Family Day on Saturday September 13, 2014
A2A Photography Clinic: This would be extraordinary; for the first time in Ontario CHAA and photojournalist Eric Dumigan will be hosting an Air-to-Air photo clinic on Saturday September 20, 2014, rain date September 21, 2014. Participants will have a 2 hour classroom instruction on planning photo shoots, safety then to familiarize with the backseat of a Harvard before going up to take pictures. This all day event, lunch is provided, is limited to 8 people and cost $950 (plus $50 CHAA membership)
Tillsonburg Regional Airport Event:
The Tillsonburg Regional Airport will be hosting the South Coast International Air Show on Saturday August 23, 2014