Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association - HH

Sept 9 & 10 Flydays at Tillsonburg Airport during DOORS OPEN OXFORD
The weather cooperated both days and we were able to give 28 Harvard rides and 3 Tiger Moth rides.
In addition, we signed up 14 new general members and 1 new Harvard Hawk. Sincere thanks to all the pilots, ground crew, tour guides and anyone who helped to make September 9 and 10 so successful.
Doors Open – Opens Doors by Roy Venn

Tillsonburg:-Doors Open Oxford was a new experience for the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) and one that had some unexpected rewards. Saturday’s weather was somewhat unsettled and turned out to be a mixed bag most of the day. Whether or not we were going to get any flying in was debatable but as the day progressed so did the weather with the odd threat here and there. When the day was over we had flown 14 missions with the Harvard and 2 with the Tiger Moth all with passengers that were able to get a bird’s eye view of our part of Oxford County.

About mid-afternoon a visit from one of our local historians, Harry Saelens, brought a donation of some, 24 volt lamps, which appear to be aircraft landing lights. At first glance they seem to fit a couple of different aircraft types we have and are most welcome. 1940 – 1950’s aircraft parts are becoming harder and harder to come by. Thank you Harry.

We also found a visitor, from the area, with much experience working on the “Link” trainer who is being encouraged to join us with his expertise. The “Link” drew much attention as it was a hands on experience.

Sunday dawned bright, sunny and cool. Flying started early and again we were able to accommodate tours of the area for 14 individuals in the backseat of Harvards and 1 in the front seat of the Tiger Moth.

The Dive Recovery Team had their equipment on display along with maps and charts of the various areas where they have been searching for aircraft in and around the great lakes. Souvenir sales were brisk and all the hangars were open for tours.

Annette Murray and her Airport staff had their facilities wide open and ran a BBQ lunch both days. A couple of locals, John Fisher and Vern Fleming conducted a head count of 730 persons visiting the Airport on the weekend. People came from England, Port Elgin, Napanee, Quebec, Ottawa and places in between. Thanks to all those who made the weekend a success.

Sept 16 CHAA pilots Greg Burnard and Edward Soye flew to Parry Sound, ON for a one day fly-in. On the ground to meet them were CHAA members Bob Healey and Gus Cameron. Successful day!

For more info on the Parry Sound Area Municipal Airport, go to:http://www.parrysoundairport.com/

Sept 16 A successful CHAA Social Evening was held at Hangar 1. The hangar doors were open and the three Harvards pointing their noses into the hangar were a great backdrop for the sunset and the site of many family and group photos. Members and their guests came together to enjoy a “September Evening at the Hangar” and were most appreciative of the photo fly pasts by Greg Burnard and Edward Soye on their return from Parry Sound. This successful evening included a social time (the children who attended were able to play games and run outside in the warm evening air while their parents chatted with friends); a hot buffet was catered to 67 adults and 10 children by Rick Haines of Tillsonburg (the surprise fly past by Kent Beckham was greatly appreciated) and the music capped off the evening....the harmonization of the four members of London’s Sweet Adelines during dinner was truly lovely and the dance music by “Youse Three Guys”, a local blues and pop band who were joined by CHAA member Dave Rubicini AKA Ruby who is a
Jazzman had everyone up moving. The committee who planned this event thanks all who gave gifts for the door prizes, Bill Shepard for arranging the Sweet Adelines and Johnny Curran for the dance band arrangements. Thanks also to the pilots who contributed toward the cost of the musical entertainment. We’re planning a repeat event in the Spring.

Sept 17 CHAA did a 4 plane flypast at the unveiling of the Toronto Veterans Memorial

To learn more about this event, which was described as one of Toronto's biggest military parades since the Second World War, go to:

http://northernblue.ca/mblog/index.php?/archives/297-Toronto-Military-Parade-and-Veterans-Wall.html

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2006/09/17/vets.html#skip300x250

Sept 22 London, ON Dutch-Canadian Memorial Dedication for 11:00am

The pilots for this event were: Greg Burnard, Bruce Tapp, Tony Donnelly and Bill Sheppard with Mo White.

http://www.veteransmemorial.ca/memorial.html

See some photos of the flypast here

Sept 22-24 Sarnia, ON Sarnia Airfest 1 a/c

http://www.sarniaairfest.com/

A report from Stores Manager, Wayne Wilkins:

We had a great show! Sorry my hometown of Sarnia could not provide the weather. Regardless there was a good turnout and the Folks that did come were very pleased. Tony Donnelly brought RWN down after the London Flypast and managed to take three backseaters up for a view of Lake Huron. A big welcome to new members, Chantal Dale, Brian Rhodenizer and John Shelley, who are all pilots.

It was also great to meet a number of CHAA members from the area who helped with the Show’s setup and organization. CHAA member Eric Wobschall few his 1990 YAK52 in from the Buffalo area.

Carl Sapelak brought the trailer and Stores was setup on Saturday. All things considered we had a good day, $1350 plus the backseats. Sunday brought very high winds that toppled the VIP tent with folks in it and we decided it was too dangerous for us to setup. My thanks goes out to Frank from the Huron Flight Centre and Bruce from Bond Petroleum for their help over the weekend. Thanks to John Shelley for making room in his brand new hanger for the Stores trailer. A big hand to Carl and Tony for their help with Stores, to Eric Wobschall for the great group photos of the CF-18, Harvard and both crews together. Also to Greg, Dave, Kent and Pete for putting together a great show for my neighbours, literally.

Oct 7 Simcoe, ON Warriors Day Parade Flypast 4 a/c
Pilots for this event were: Bill Long, Greg Tyrell, Greg Burnard and Tony Donnelly. Backseats were filled with satisfied CHAA members...some who had wanted a backseat ride for a long time; they each came away with big smiles and happy memories.

-----------------------------------------

BOOKING BACKSEAT RIDES:

Contact: Leroy Gilmore This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (519) 895-2717

-----------------------------------------

NEXT CHAA MEETING: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 1930hrs

In the guest speaker portion of the evening, Ken Arnott will show a video from Duxford, England’s 2002 Airshows. Stay informed...plan to attend! Bring along a non-perishable item for the local food bank.

SPEEDY RECOVERY: Best wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery go out to all CHAA members who are recovering from surgeries and illnesses.

HARVARD HAWKS: Kip Davis This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

What: a youth program for 12 to 17 year olds

When: on Sept 30, October 14 and 21 from 10 am until 2 pm

Where: at the Tillsonburg Airport

Why: This is a great opportunity for Aviation minded students The program will include aviation subjects such as theory of flight, restoration demonstrations, History of the British Commonwealth Air Training Program as well as Harvard Systems demonstrations, hands on operation of our LINK trainer and a flight in a Harvard Aircraft.

COST: $65

RSVP: Maureen Merlo at 519 425 4449 or Kip Davis 519 742 7690

Note: Class size is limited. This is an exceptional opportunity. Call today.

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

WOW! September was certainly a busy month. With the weather much improved on Saturdays than had happened in the other months, much flying was accomplished and many new members had their very first ride in a HARVARD. Also several members took advantage of the good weather to use their gift certificates.
New Members in September - General 34; Harvard Hawks 3
Since the 2006 members received their September ROAR, the renewals for 2007 have been coming in. Thanks to all for acting promptly and to those who have sent donations a very BIG THANK YOU. The 2007 stickers will be mailed with the December ROAR. Those receiving their ROAR by e-mail will be sent their stickers as soon as the stickers arrive. Check your MEMBERSHIP CARD and if it reads EXPIRY 31/12/06 your membership will be current until December 31, 2006; ALL members not renewing by February 28, 2007, will have their names removed from the membership list. If your CARD reads EXPIRY 31/12/07 your membership is current until December 31, 2007.
To the holders of gift certificates - there is less than a month of flying left for the current year. Please notify me at 519-633-0053 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are unable to get your flight in this Fall.
Christmas is coming! 2 1/2 months! Already I have had several inquiries RE: gift certificates for Christmas giving – what better and easier way to shop for that hard-to-buy person on your list. Contact me now.

STORES NEWS: Wayne Wilkins This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

CHAA is able to accept VISA, MasterCard and AMEX directly.

A MESSAGE FROM CHAA’S SERVICE CREW CHIEF, Al Spiers This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

After 21 years as CHAA Service Crew Chief, I have decided to resign my position effective Sept 30, 2006.

I would like to thank all the members who volunteered their time and support as Service Crew over those years, it was much appreciated. I have enjoyed the camaraderie of the group and the good times we had.

At this time I wish to recognize the members who, in 2006, made donations to the 8ft ladder, the 9kg Fire extinguisher and 800 litres of smoke oil; thanks for your response to the Service Unit requests. I know in the future you will continue to support the new Service Crew Chief. Thanks again and Good Luck.

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

The new version of the Team’s website is easy to navigate and full of information. Check it out!

BINGO: This important aspect of CHAA’s yearly fundraising is held monthly in London ON. The next dates are: Monday October 23/06, Sunday November 19/06, Friday December 8/06, Sunday January 28/07, Saturday February 17/07 and Sunday March 11/07. To help, contact Bill Scott at 519-474-1731 for times and further info.

The October issue of Flypast magazine has an item on the RCAF Museum in Trenton and a piece on Nigel Price’s visit to the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association and a bevy of projects on the go.

Saturday, October 14, 2006 @ 1900 hrs the 6th Annual Victoria Cross Tattoo will be held at the

Tillsonburg Special Events Centre, 60 Cedar Street, Tillsonburg. Experience the Music, Colour, Pomp and Pageantry of Pipes & Drum Bands, Brass Bands, Dancers and More. Tickets $ 12.50.

Show your Legion card for discounted ticket rate.

Until next time (as snowflakes blow around outside!),

clear skies, safe flights and smooth landings!

Sandra Sparkes, CHAA Member

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]