Harvard 20422 (C-FRZW) - Acquisition and Restoration

First, for all of those involved with this project, I want to sincerely thank you on behalf of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association. This project has finally come to a successful conclusion!

I wanted to base this report on the chronology of this project that should be self explanatory and just goes to prove that sometimes, great things take a little longer.

• January 4, 2000 - first discussions with owner to acquire the aircraft.
• January 10, 2000 - submit application to Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board for extension of Class "B" Museum designation. This process allows for donation of major Canadian artifacts to be capital gains tax-free eligible.
• April 12, 2002 - Final acceptance of application to Canadian Cultural Export Review Board. (Yes, it really takes this long!)
• October, 2001 - preparations in London for ferry flight to Tillsonburg, ON
• December 8, 2001 - ferry flight to Tillsonburg and CHAA hangar.
• February 23, 2002 - CHAA annual dinner presentation to Lew Benvenuto of a 1952 silver dollar in recognition of his donation. This is noted by Transport Canada as the "official" purchase price.
• July 2, 2003 - CHAA receives final approvals from the Export Review Board.
• Summer 2003 - Spectrum Aviation removes paint in preparation for new.
• June, 2004 - Revenue Canada requests payment of the PST due on the purchase price - all $0.08 of it

For the period of approximately November 2003 through April 2005, no work takes place on this project. NA-64 Yale, C-GLJH, is placed at the top of the funding priority list for completion.

• October 2004 - application made to Ontario Trillium Foundation for funding.
• March 9, 2005 - a grant of $46,000. is received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for completion of Harvard 20422.
• April 2005 - Restoration work resumes include new paint and markings. 
• November 24, 2005, Re-issue of Certificate of Airworthiness by Transport Canada.
• January 28, 2006 - First flight post restoration of Harvard 20422

Some 6 years of work has gone into this project and an uncountable number of man/person hours.

A plaque will be affixed to the aircraft in CHAA tradition denoting the donation of the aircraft to CHAA. One of the front access panels will be lettered to reflect the grant received from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Again, I wish to thank all of those involved with this project. I’m sure I’m going to miss someone, but here goes:

CHAA Board of Directors
CHAA Trillium Foundation Application Committee
CHAA Membership - all of you whether mentioned here specifically or not!
(again, this is where I’d forget someone)
CHAA Restorations Wing (New Horizons)
Spectrum Aviation, Tillsonburg, ON
Trevor McNally AME, Tillsonburg, ON
Todd Straus, AME, London, ON
Corporate Aircraft Restoration, Oshawa, ON
Leavens Aviation, Mississauga, ON
Lance Aircraft Supply, Dallas, Texas
Hooker Harness, Freeport, Illinois
Skyharbour Aircraft, Goderich, ON
Covington Aircraft Engines, Okmulgee, Oklahoma
High Tech Aviation, Markham, ON
Kerry Wilkenson, AME - Wilkenson Aviation, York, ON

Special thanks go to Sheila Simpson, Ontario Trillium Foundation.

And last but certainly not least, to Lew Benvenuto, CHAA Life Member No. 11, for donating his beloved Harvard to CHAA. What else can I possibly say about that!

Sincerely,

Greg Burnard
Chairperson - Acquisitions Committee
and the lucky pilot for the first flight back. (I did pull rank for this privilege and wouldn’t have missed it for anything!)