HARVARD HAPPENINGS

February 2007     

CHAA P.O. Box 175, Tillsonburg, Ontario N4G 4H5

Next CHAA Meeting: Saturday, February 17, 2007: 1000-1200hrs

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

The Board of Directors will outline the plan and budget for CHAA’s success. Elections for Board positions will be held as necessary. All members are urged to attend as it is shows our interest and support.

     BINGO: The 2007 Bingo dates are: Sat Feb 17, Sun Mar 11, Thurs Apr 26, Mon May 21, Thurs June 14, Thurs July 4, Wed Aug 29 and Tues Sept 19.  To help with this very important aspect of CHAA fundraising (held in London ON) contact Bill Scott at 519-474-1731.

     CHAA FUNDRAISER: Thank you to all members who have responded to CHAA’s fundraiser mailout; thus far 164 members have made donations totally $16020. This is a fantastic response! Final results will be printed in the Spring edition of the ROAR.

     MEMBERSHIP NEWS: Marion Bennell This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 519-633-0053

     January was very quiet - 5 new members and many renewals. REMINDER – renewals are past due -- March 1 is fast approaching when those who have not renewed will have their names removed from the membership list. There is still time to make your payment.  A phone call to Marion (at number listed above) with a credit card number will renew your membership for 2007. If your email address is changing, please notify us so it can be corrected in our records.

C TECH O REPORT: Bill Ritchie This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Building and Grounds crew have been busy redecorating the Meeting Room. Murray Hearn and Mike Kite have done most of the work and have done a great job. It is looking very nice and is much brighter than before.
The Restoration Guys are setting up a "Wing Jig" which we have borrowed from Victor and Anne Danielli. The jig was designed and built by Victor and was previously used in the restoration of a Navion wing. It is being adapted to be used for the Harvard wing and will be used in the restoration of MTX over the next year or so.
Brandon Zimmerman and Tom Erie have the Link Trainer working and the Harvard Annual Inspections are on-going in Hangar #1. There have been a few delays in the annual inspections while parts were obtained but we expect to be ready for spring flying.

The replacement engine for UFZ is a step closer to being ready. Bill Shepard and I delivered an engine to be overhauled to Covingtons Aircraft Engines in Okamungee, Oklahoma. A big CHAA "thank-you" goes to Bill Shepard who arranged the loan of a truck and trailer which were used to deliver the engine. Covingtons will overhaul the engine and ship it back to us. It will be installed on Bessy as soon as possible after it arrives. After the test flights are completed Bessy will join the spring line-up.
In late March or early April there will be a Service Crew Course. Anyone interested in participating in the Service Crew is welcome to attend. There will also be a refresher session for current service crew members. On the weekend following the Service Crew Course there will be a Tow Tractor Training session. A practical driving test will be conducted following the training session. The dates for these sessions will be announced in the next issue of Harvard News.
Notice to Pilots! The Tow Tractor Training session is mandatory for anyone intending to operate the tow tractor. If you expect to fly the Harvards on days when there is no Service Crew support, please plan to attend the Tow Tractor Training session. For anyone who has past experience operating the tow tractor, a practical refresher session with Ron Rice is all that is required.

 

C OPS O REPORT: Johnny Curran This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

CHAA's 2007 Ground School will be held on March 10, 11 & 17, 18th from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Mr. Bill Long will be running the school and requests some help. Please consider assisting and reply to him directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Also if you know of any people who might be interested in school - please pass info to them and have them reply to Bill - costing will be $250 including membership and manual.
CHAA's 2007 Re-current Ground School is scheduled for March 31st 9:00am to 3:00pm - attendance mandatory for all pilots - (the only acceptable excuse is death) We will be approaching TC with regards to a
seminar and barring that will arrange another speaker. Details to follow.

HARVARD HAWKS REPORT: Kip Davis and Maureen Merlo

On Saturday, February 10, eight Harvard Hawks and their parents enjoyed a day of activities at Tillsonburg Airport.  Each of the young aviation enthusiasts:  Stephanie & Kimberly Shepard, Lauren & Robbie Scott, Jack & Max Curran, Callum Donnelly and Reese Battin had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a Harvard (direction by Mike Merlo), experienced time in the Link Trainer (instruction by Brandon Zimmerman), built model airplanes (assisted by their parents), colored aviation related pictures, had a paper airplane building and flying contest and enjoyed pizza for lunch.  In addition, every child went home with a prize. Many thanks to ALL who helped in any way to make the day such a success.  These are our members of the future and we are so pleased to see such interest!

(Editor’s Note: Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to Kip and Maureen for organizing such a successful and worthwhile day.)

CHAA DIVE RECOVERY TEAM: www.chaa-recovery.ca  

A reminder the Dive Team will be having their meeting 7:00 PM Feb 21 at London Scuba Centre, 732 York Street, London ON. The team will be practicing underwater surveys/photography/video in the store’s pool. CHAA members are invited to come out and see the team in action.

     ADMIN OFFICER REPORT: Roy Venn This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it 519-842-9922 (Office)

Help Needed: As we approach the 2007 flying season and with the work being done by our revamped public relations and marketing group, it is becoming obvious that CHAA is going to be a busy place this summer. We already have three (3) group tours booked. May 8th and 10th and 10th August, plus Doors Open Oxford on September 8 and 9. What CHAA needs at this time is a pool of personnel who would be willing to come on board and act as "Tour" guides. This program is still being developed and will include "Fly Days." If you are interested please contact me at info listed above.

CHAA Website: Anyone on any CHAA Committee and / or Department wanting to add updates or make changes on various projects / plans / upcoming events etc. please forward them with all the details to:

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it They will then be sent on to the web master and added to the website as soon as

possible. Please take note that a concerted effort is taking place to keep the website current in all

areas, from maintenance through membership, fundraising, restorations, stores - the works.

It is your website and it will be as good as the information you submit to me for the webmaster. The web is a great way to get our message out and let the world know we exist.

2007 CHAA Dates (as scheduled to date):

-Saturday, March 17 –1000-1200hrs: MEMBERS’ MEETING

-Saturday/Sunday March 10, 11 & 17, 18 - 900-1500hrs: 2007 CHAA GROUND SCHOOL

-Saturday, March 31- 900-1500hrs: 2007 CHAA RE-CURRENT GROUND SCHOOL

-Saturday, April 14 – 1700hrs: ANNUAL BANQUET & FUNDRAISER

Where:    Woodstock Legion, Woodstock, Ontario

Cost:  $30.00 per person (guests are welcomed)

Tickets available from Pat Hanna (519) 658-5464 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Donations for fundraiser: Sandra Sparkes (519) 634-8360   This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it m

Photos for Slide Show: send jpeg files to Bill Shepard This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

This is an important event for CHAA as the membership comes together to acknowledge the accomplishments of their peers; if you live in the area, we hope you will are planning to attend.

-Tuesday, April 17 – 1930hrs: MEMBERS’ MEETING

Reminder to book all meetings for Ops Room through Roy Venn This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

NOTICE: Peter Whitfield www.lancasterfm159.freeservers.com

Recently there was a break in and theft of an FN5 turret and a collection of Lancaster related parts from a collection in Suffolk UK. Please be on the lookout for anyone offering Lancaster parts and in particular a front FN5 turret.

If anyone has submissions for inclusion, they are welcomed at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it m

Until next time, clear skies, safe flights and smooth landings!

Sandra Sparkes, CHAA Member