Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association
244411 Airport Rd N0J 1P0 Tillsonburg, ON, Canada

Two weeks to go until Ho Ho Ho! 2021 Harvard Calendars $20 Give that special aviation lover in your life the gift of Yellow.... Available at the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association Hangars, Tillsonburg Airport Terminal or Delivered to your door. For mail delivery send paypal or an interac e-transfer to [email protected] with address. Free Shipping in North America! Measures 11x17

In the spirit of giving amidst the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, have you considered supporting a local organization? We encourage you to support local charities, food banks, and small businesses during these trying times. If you are able to also support CHAA at times like this please consider donating even a few dollars to our current, ongoing fundraiser to support the repainting of CF-UFZ, "Bessy". We've still a ways to go to before we are able to pul...l the trigger on this project. Thank You to all who have already donated to help us with this cause (even those who've remained anonymous - we can't send you a "Thank You" note if you don't tell us who you are! :-( ), and Thanks in advance to all who will be donating today and in the future. YOU are the driving force that helps us "Keep 'Em Flying!" You can easily donate online through CanadaHelps at: https://www.canadahelps.org//campa/repaint-bessy-campaign/ or via our Donations page at: https://harvards.com/product-category/donations/ or if you have an old vehicle you no longer need: https://donatecar.ca/org/donate.php

It's been a few weeks since our last Paint Bessy Fundraiser update. Here's the latest! Thanks to the generosity of YOU, our members and supporters, you've donated just over Thirteen Thousand, Four Hundred dollars in support of our mission to fund the repainting of our beloved Mk4 Harvard CF-UFZ, 20321, "Bessy"! This is fantastic! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!... We still have a long way to go though, and unfortunately over the last couple of weeks, donations have dropped off to only a couple per week. We know there have been other things on peoples' minds lately. Things like US elections, provincial lockdowns, COVID concerns, Remembrance Day events, etc., etc.. have all been weighing heavily on everybody. But, as we near the end of November, we hope to see our total surpass the $15000.00 milestone. If you haven't yet donated, here is your chance to help us climb over this hurdle. Again, if you've already contributed, we extend a huge THANK YOU! You can very easily donate online to help fund Bessy's new paint, by heading over to our CanadaHelps donation page here: https://www.canadahelps.org//campa/repaint-bessy-campaign/ As an added bonus to donating through our Canada Helps campaign, you can instantly download and print out your income tax receipt and not have to wait until the new year for it to arrive in the mail. Another donation option is to go to our Donations page via our website here: https://harvards.com/product-category/donations/ Regardless, now is the time to get into the giving spirit and help us to keep doing what we do... with your help, we "Keep 'Em Flying!" (P.S. If you'd like to, you can share this post with your friends and family if you think they'd be interested in helping out with our campaign.)

2021 Harvard Calendars with Free Shipping in North America, $20 Brighten your days with some RCAF Yellow! Start thinking about the New Year and get yours today! All proceeds to help keep them flying. Available at the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, Tillsonburg Airport Terminal or Delivered to your door. ... For mail delivery send paypal or an interac e-transfer to [email protected] with address. Measures 11x17

Lest we Forget. The Harvards are out, the walkaround inspections are completed, pilot's briefing is just starting and the weather is flyable. Wheels up at 10:10.

2021 Harvard Calendars. Get yourself some great wall art for you and your friends! All proceeds to help keep them flying. Available at the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association Hangars, Tillsonburg Airport Terminal or Delivered to your door. $20 Cdn. Free Shipping in North America! ... For mail delivery send paypal or an interac e-transfer to [email protected] with address. Measures 11x17

Lest we forget. Tomorrow, we are sending four Harvards to Toronto (weather permitting) to fly over the Remembrance Day Ceremonies at Queen's Park and Old City Hall Cenotaph. They will also be flying over East York Cenotaph and the Veteran’s Residence at Sunnybrook Hospital before returning to Tillsonburg.

2021 Harvard Calendars. Get yourself some great wall art for you and your friends! All proceeds to help keep them flying. Available at the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association Hangars, Tillsonburg Airport Terminal or Delivered to your door. $20 Cdn. Free Shipping in North America! ... For mail delivery send paypal or an interac e-transfer to [email protected] with address. Measures 11x17

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our dedication ceremony for our newly restored C-FBZT, 20304 yesterday. It was necessarily a small, private ceremony adhering to the current COVID-19 protocols in place for our region, but sincere "Thanks" go to Terry Scott for recording our festivities for posterity. Huge, sincere and long applause and "Thanks!" go to everyone who participated in the effort to bring Greg Tyrell's dream to completion. 20304 appears today exactly a...s she did when struck off charge from the RCAF over 55 years ago. Please enjoy this dedication and once again this is evidence that with your continued support and help, we "Keep 'Em Flying!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLlRjAZ8dIc

Paint Bessy Fundraising Campaign Update! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to those who have generously donated so far in this years fundraising campaign! We have made a great start in only a couple of weeks with a total of $5070.00 donated up to October 9th!... We do still have a long way to go to reach our goal. If you have a few extra dollars (or many extra dollars), you too can easily donate to this year's exciting project of repainting our beloved Mk 4 Harvard, CF-UFZ, affectionately know as "Bessy". Our mailout went out in the mail in late September, so please check your pile of unopened mail if you haven't yet seen your Paint Bessy Fundraiser package. Or, one extremely easy way to donate is to do so is online via this direct link to our CanadaHelps Repaint Bessy Campaign: https://www.canadahelps.org//campa/repaint-bessy-campaign/ or via our website donations page: https://harvards.com/product-category/donations/ Once again, a super grateful THANK YOU! to those who've already donated! It's with your help that we can "Keep 'Em Flying!"

This Sunday (Oct 25th) we will be celebrating a major milestone in the restoration of Harvard 20304 with a dedication ceremony. Joining us will be members of the Tyrell and Dressel families as well as current and past members of our restoration crew. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the ceremony will be by invitation only, HOWEVER we will be live streaming the ceremony right here on our Facebook page. Join us this Sunday at approximately 1 pm (EDT) for your first glimpse of a fully assembled 20304 :-)

One more Flyday for the 2020 season! Join us on Saturday October 17th for our third Flyday of 2020! (rain date of October 18th). The fall colours should be out in force, so it's a perfect opportunity to see them from the air in the backseat of a Harvard! In case you missed our last two Flydays, we are again offering introductory rides in the Harvard for $195. This price includes CHAA membership. Contact Stacey at [email protected] to book your flight!... All rides must be booked in advance to ensure that we do not exceed the Covid-19 restrictions on gathering size. Control measures (including mandatory masks and checking in and out) will be in place. Only those going for flights (plus a minimal number of accompanying guests - 3-4 max) will be allowed onto our premises. Passengers must be 12 years of age or older, be physically able to climb in and out of a Harvard, and wear closed toe footwear. Our stores tent will be on site so you can pick up the latest CHAA merchandise, including the brand new 2021 Calendar! SkyWay Cafe and Catering will be open from 8-2 if you wanted to grab a bite to eat before or after your flight. Come feel the ROAR of the Harvard at Tillsonburg Regional Airport in a safe, socially distant way

Thanks to everyone who has donated so far in this years Mailout Fundraiser Campaign! We have now surpassed the $7000.00 point! Fantastic! Your generosity is indeed impressive and appreciated! A reminder that if you haven't yet donated or have misplaced your paper form, you can very easily donate to help us fund Bessy's new paint by doing so through this CanadaHelps online campaign! Regardless of how you choose to do it, your generous donations go to the same project! As... a side benefit of using this method, you can receive a tax receipt for your donation immediately! You can easily print it out now or save the email for when you need it at tax time. What could be simpler? Just click this link to go directly to our campaign page: https://www.canadahelps.org//campa/repaint-bessy-campaign/ Once again, Thanks to all of you have already donated, and Thanks in advance to everyone who hasn't yet done so, but will be helping CHAA fund this exciting project in the future!

It was a great day at our October Flyday on Saturday! Perfect flying weather and bright fall colours made for a busy day, as we were able to take 35 excited people up for flight experiences. That puts us at over 100 Harvard flight experiences this season! We are still offering Harvard rides up until November 11th, and gift certificates are also available if you're looking for that perfect Christmas present. To book your flight, contact our Flight Experience Coordinator at [email protected] https://harvards.com/fly-now/

Leave 2020 behind with a 2021 Harvard Calendar! Hot off the press with all proceeds to help keep the Harvards flying. Available at the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association Hangars, Tillsonburg Airport Terminal or Delivered to your door. $20. Free Shipping! For mail delivery send a paypal or interac e-transfer to [email protected] with address. Measures 11x17

There's still a few spots left for our last Flyday of the 2020 season this Saturday! The weather is looking very promising, and the fall colours in the Tillsonburg area are quite vibrant at the moment. It's the perfect opportunity to check them out from the back seat of a Harvard. Don't worry about the lower temperatures, as the Harvards are equipped with cockpit heaters :-) In case you missed our last two Flydays, we are again offering introductory rides in the Harvard for ...$195. This price includes CHAA membership. Contact Stacey at [email protected] to book your flight. All rides must be booked in advance to ensure that we do not exceed the Covid-19 restrictions on gathering size. Control measures (including mandatory masks and checking in and out) will be in place. Only those going for flights (plus a minimal number of accompanying guests - 3-4 max) will be allowed onto our premises. Passengers must be 12 years of age or older, be physically able to climb in and out of a Harvard, and wear closed toe footwear. Our stores tent will be on site so you can pick up the latest CHAA merchandise, including the brand new 2021 Calendar! SkyWay Cafe and Catering will be open from 8-2 if you wanted to grab a bite to eat before or after your flight. Come feel the ROAR of the Harvard at Tillsonburg Regional Airport in a safe, socially distant way

It's been a while since we've given an update on the restoration of Harvard 20304, so here's a sneak peek :-) We're part way through the final assembly stage, and these photos show some of the lengths we are going to in order to have '304 looking exactly the way she was upon leaving RCAF service in 1964. These are the inboard ends of the wing ailerons, and you can compare the original fabric, stencils and dataplates from over eight years ago to what is now on there today. Although these details aren't visible unless the ailerons are at full deflection, they are still a piece of 20304's unique history that we wanted to replicate. We're holding off on showing you the entire airframe until after we have a dedication ceremony later this year with 20304's former owners, the Tyrell and Dressel families, but it will be worth the wait. :-)

Back by popular demand! Join us on Saturday September 26th for our second Flyday of 2020! (rain date of Sept 27th) In case you missed our August Flyday, we are again offering introductory rides in the Harvard for $195. This price includes CHAA membership. Contact Stacey at [email protected] to book your flight!... All rides must be booked in advance to ensure that we do not exceed the Covid-19 restrictions on gathering size. Only those going for flights (plus a minimal number of accompanying guests - 3-4 max) will be allowed onto our premises. Passengers must be 12 years of age or older. Our stores tent will be on site so you can pick up the latest CHAA merchandise. SkyWay Cafe and Catering will be open from 8-2 if you wanted to grab a bite to eat before or after your flight. Come feel the ROAR of the Harvard at Tillsonburg Regional Airport in a safe, socially distant way :-)

*** Our Flyday planned for this Saturday has been moved to Sunday (August 30th) due to the poor weather forecast. *** Flight experiences are still available, and can be booked by contacting Stacey at [email protected] All rides must be booked in advance to ensure that we do not exceed the Covid-19 restrictions on gathering size. Only those going for flights (plus a minimal number of accompanying guests - 3-4 max) will be allowed onto our premises.... Our stores tent will be on site so you can pick up the latest CHAA merchandise. SkyWay Cafe and Catering will be open from 8-2 if you wanted to grab a bite to eat before or after your flight. Here's a few of the Covid-19 restrictions we have in place: - Mandatory mask wearing is in effect in the hangars and in the aircraft at all times - Please stay home if you are not feeling well - Be prepared to answer health and safety questions upon arrival and providing contact information from a member of your party See you on Sunday!

https://www.skiesmag.com//canadian-harvard-aircraft-assoc/

One more Flyday for the 2020 season! Join us on Saturday October 17th for our third Flyday of 2020! (rain date of October 18th). The fall colours should be out in force, so it's a perfect opportunity to see them from the air in the backseat of a Harvard! In case you missed our last two Flydays, we are again offering introductory rides in the Harvard for $195. This price includes CHAA membership. Contact Stacey at [email protected] to book your flight!... All rides must be booked in advance to ensure that we do not exceed the Covid-19 restrictions on gathering size. Control measures (including mandatory masks and checking in and out) will be in place. Only those going for flights (plus a minimal number of accompanying guests - 3-4 max) will be allowed onto our premises. Passengers must be 12 years of age or older, be physically able to climb in and out of a Harvard, and wear closed toe footwear. Our stores tent will be on site so you can pick up the latest CHAA merchandise, including the brand new 2021 Calendar! SkyWay Cafe and Catering will be open from 8-2 if you wanted to grab a bite to eat before or after your flight. Come feel the ROAR of the Harvard at Tillsonburg Regional Airport in a safe, socially distant way

Join us on August 30th for our first Flyday of 2020! - Edit - the flyday has been moved to Sunday August 30th due to the poor weather forecast on Saturday the 29th - We are offering introductory rides in the Harvard for $195, however all rides must be booked in advance. This price includes membership. Contact Stacey at [email protected] to book your flight! ... COVID-19 protocols will be in place, and only those taking flights will be allowed into our hangars. Come feel the ROAR of the Harvard at Tillsonburg Regional Airport in a safe, socially distant way :-) Note: This flight experience involves approximately 30 minutes from putting a parachute on, strapping in, familiarizing you with the controls (what can be touched, what should not be touched), a brief tour of the cockpit, safety procedures, communications with your pilot, engine start, taxi, run up, takeoff, approximately 10 minutes of airborne flight time, landing, taxi, engine shut down and disembarking. This is a fantastic deal for anyone who'd like to experience a flight in an actual WWII era or Cold War era RCAF trainer aircraft.

Rides are now available! We're pleased to announce that we are now taking bookings for backseat rides in our legendary Harvards! Our flight ops team has been hard at work with recurrency training (like this formation training seen here from this past weekend) and implementing Covid-19 protocols to allow us to offer flight experiences in compliance with Southwestern Public Health and Transport Canada guidelines. ... Why not bring a friend or family member and go for a formation flight? It's an unforgettable experience! Contact our Backseat Flight Coordinator Stacey at [email protected] to book your Harvard ride today. https://harvards.com/fly-now/ by Sierra Tango Charlie Photography

Leave 2020 behind with a 2021 Harvard Calendar! Hot off the press with all proceeds to help keep the Harvards flying. Available at the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association Hangars, Tillsonburg Airport Terminal or Delivered to your door. $20. Free Shipping! For mail delivery send a paypal or interac e-transfer to [email protected] with address. Measures 11x17

Our 1340 ALE is back in stock at Shakespeare Brewing Co.! Once again, quantities are limited (although there's more available this time vs. previous bottlings), so act fast if you want to sample our special collaboration brew. Order it online at: https://shakespearebrewingcompany.ca/... Or pick it up in person at the brewery right on the main street, Highway 8, in Shakespeare Ontario (we're really sorry about the construction!). Remember, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each and every bottle will be donated to CHAA, so you can support a local craft brewery as well as help CHAA with your purchase. A special, huge, THANKS to Katie and Ayden for their first donation (already received) through our CanadaHelps online donation partner. Don't drink beer but still want to help CHAA? Consider your own donation (any amount is appreciated!) via CanadaHelps at: https://www.canadahelps.org//canadian-harvard-aircraft-as/ Please drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive (or fly!).

For those of you who think we're not famous enough, we got mentioned on the latest episode of the Airline Pilot Guy podcast! I sent in a "feedback" about our recent 100th birthday tribute for Flt. Lt. Hanna at Oshawa Airport that occurred this past Canada Day. The APG show is downloaded by multiple thousands of listeners (20? 30? 50 thousand?) from, quite literally, around the world each and every week. Captain Jeff begins (or tries to) begin with my feedback at about the ...1:10:30 point in the recording,and he eventually gets the point across, but I suggest you listen to the whole episode to get a feel for the tone of this particular episode. They self describe it as a train wreck, and I rather suspect they'd all had a few too many of those 10% ABV beers they mention at one point. In the midst of the butchering of my words, Dr. Steph (I think) mentions something about "autocorrect"... well, here's part of the original text I sent. No where does it say "War ear". I had also sent along Eric Dumigan's pic of me marshalling at the NATA Formation Camp at CWH from a couple years ago in answer to Producer Liz's question about my position(s) with CHAA. Was not intended to be so much about me, rather I was trying to highlight CHAA and Lt. Hanna. Oh well. Nevertheless, thousands more people have heard about CHAA, and that's the point! Cheers! You can listen to the Ep. 433 of the APG podcast here: http://airlinepilotguy.com/

We've been asked to keep this a little bit under wraps, but if you're anywhere along the west end of the north shore of Lake Ontario tomorrow shortly after noon... look to the skies and you may just see two distinctive yellow Harvards in the airspace! It won't be exactly like these shots of prior years' Remembrance Day Flypasts, but weather permitting, the "Roar" of CHAA's Cold War era Mk4 Harvard 20422 and WWII era MkII Harvard AJ583 will be heard again in the GTA area. If you see us, and especially if you get pics, please feel free to post them on your pages and tag CHAA.