Harvard Happenings – February 2018

www.harvards.com

CHAA Box 175 Tillsonburg ON N4G 4H5

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Harvard Happenings is a monthly email updating the membership on what is happening in CHAA. As always, if anyone has questions, comments or concerns, feel free to email and they will be addressed.

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CHAA POSITIONS TO BE FILLED:

Our organization has operated successfully since 1985 because our membership has stepped up where necessary and volunteered to get the jobs done. Following are two areas where volunteers are needed:

a. CTechO, Shane Clayton sclayton_1@hotmail.com is asking for members to consider volunteering for the following positions:

– Tow Tractor Instructor

– ‘Sign Bessy’ Campaign Chair

– Hangar Maintenance Officer

– Maintenance Crew Chief

– Restoration Crew Chief

Speak to Shane at the hangar or email at address above to get more details. Thanks so much!

b. Board Secretary, Terry Scott t_scott@harvards.com has sent the following: In recent weeks, our Board of Directors was delighted to welcome two new members – Allan Paige as COpsO and Jim Swalm as Director.  Those additions brought the Board count up to ten.  However, we still have vacancies and may have at least one or two more following the Annual Business Meeting in March.  Please consider serving on the Board.  For 33 years your Board has overseen the operations of this remarkable volunteer organization, and it looks forward to working with the dedicated membership for many years to come.  Reach out to any current Board member or Past President Pat Hanna (aviatoris@rogers.com) if you have any questions about the Board and where you might be able to serve. 

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1. MEMBERS’ MONTHLY MEETINGS:

Saturday, February 17: Members Meeting: Guest Speaker — Fred Grootarz from Brampton will present a Transport Canada approved seminar. Topic: “A VFR Landing – From the Top of Descent to Past the HOLD Line”. Licensed pilots will receive a two year re-currency sticker for their logbook. Intended for pilots, but will be interesting for all. Tillsonburg area pilots will be invited to attend, so seating will be tight.

2. MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

– Every Tues in the South Hangar – Restoration Team: Volunteers appreciated

– Every Tues & Sat in Hangar One – Maintenance & Service: Volunteers appreciated 

– February 25: Deadline for entries into March ROAR t_scott@harvards.com

– Saturday, March 17: Annual Business Meeting

– Saturday, April 21: Annual Awards & Fundraising Banquet:

Tickets: $35 and will be available from Jeannette Rooke starting at February Meeting. 

Guest Speaker: Leon Evans, Chief Pilot and Lancaster pilot with Canadian Warplane Heritage.

Auction items: being accepted by Jeannette Rooke and Linda Brimson at February and March meetings.

— Letters for businesses: Jeannette will have letters you might take to local businesses asking (as a CHAA member) for items they might wish to donate to our auction.

— Helpers Needed: see Jeannette if you are able/planning to help with setup on the morning of the banquet/auction AND helpers are also needed with the running of various aspects of the auction during the evening. Many hands make much lighter work. Thanks for agreeing to help!

— Reminder: Seeking Nominations for the Bob Hewitt Award: chosen by the membership and presented to the member(s) who have contributed significantly to the success of CHAA in the previous year.  Please give this some thought and have your nomination(s) for the 2017 year to sandspar@rogers.com by April 2.

– Saturday, September 8: CHAA’s Wings & Wheels (rain date Sept 9)

3. CHAA’s 2017/2018 FUNDRAISER: Chair, Francis Faucher

A sincere thank you to all who have donated to date, bringing our total to approximately $21,000.00! We indeed have a generous membership! To those still considering the idea, your support would be appreciated to raise the funds necessary for Harvard C-FRWN’s engine overhaul.

Donation Options:

– Print the appeal letter and mail off a Cheque or Visa/MC info with your donation amount. If you wish to donate and no longer have that form, send me an email and a copy will be sent to you.

– Hand your donation personally to Mel Blundell or Francis Faucher.

– Donate on our website — the direct link is https://harvards.com/product-category/donations/

4. MEMBERSHIP: Chair, Patti Smith smithpls@rogers.com Unless you are a Life or Sponsor member (or joined CHAA on/after September 1, 2017) your CHAA Membership was up for renewal as of December 31.  Those not heard from by beginning of April will be removed from the list. Please, consider renewing. If unsure of your membership status, contact Patti at email listed above.

Renewal Methods:

– Print the membership form and mail it to CHAA along with your Cheque or Visa/MC info. A direct link to that form:  https://harvards.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/MEMBERSHIP-APPLICATION-2018.pdf

– Renew on our website through PayPal, a direct link for that option is https://harvards.com/product-category/memberships/

5. UPDATE on CHAA’s DONATE A CAR PROGRAM Michael Lawrence mlawrence4457@hotmail.com

We received a car donation worth $75 in December through the Donate A Car Canada. If you are interested in supporting CHAA in this manner, you can contact them at 1-877-250-4904 or via direct link: https://donatecar.ca/org/donate.php?charitypage=1294&oem=off

If you live locally, Phill Nantais at Fresh Auto Dealership in Ingersoll can help you as well, as he is promoting the car donation aspect and promoting CHAA in general.

6. CHAA AIRCRAFT RECOVERY TEAM: Walt Irie walther.irie@gmail.com

Our next Aircraft Recovery Team Meeting is 10:00 AM Sunday, March 18th at The Dive Academy located at 1380 Speers Road in Oakville. See their website for more directions to the meeting (http://www.thediveacademy.ca) The meeting is open to anyone interested in joining the team or wanting to learn more about the activities of this committee.

Here are some of our upcoming activities:

1. Ongoing recovery and conservation of artefacts from the crash site of Harvard 2963 in Lake Erie.

2. Search for two missing RCAF Jets in Lake Ontario.

3. Hosting a course in August on how to do 3D Mapping and creating 3D Images with your digital camera.

4. Providing a course for Level One Nautical Archeology Survey Techniques.

5. Travelling as the Canadian Team, March 23-28, to the 8th Aircraft Archeology Symposium in Phoenix Arizona.

6. Upcoming Ottawa trip to do archival research on RCAF Accidents.

7. Underwater Remote Operated Vehicle Training – Great for the non-diver wanting to do underwater searches.

We also have two smaller groups working on upgrading two of our ROVs (Underwater Remote Operated Vehicles capable of going to 2000 Feet Deep!) and our boat rebuild project. If you are interested in electronics/technology and doing hands-on work, then you will want to be a part of these groups.

7. CREW FLIGHTS: All those interested in booking crew flights for our 2018 season or to obtain further information, contact Stephen and William at crewflights@harvards.com 

8. Reminder: NEW FILM BEING PRODUCED…LOOKING FOR STORIES: CHAA Life Member, Keith Robb flyerkeith@rogers.com has brought the following to our attention: Mr. Bob Barrett, a director, who recently did a series of 1 hour films call “A Nation Soars”, about Canadian Pilots in WWI, is looking at doing another film that would cover the history and role of the RCAF in Canadian culture. If you have experience in these fields and wish to participate in this project, please let Keith know and he will put you in touch with Mr. Barrett. Also, if you know of people who would be suitable that this e-mail will not reach, please let them know about this and inquire if they would be interested.

Link to three films already completed by Bob Barrett and company:  http://www.anationsoars.ca/     

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Thank you to all those who donate items to CHAA. Every donation, no matter the size or purpose, is truly appreciated.

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Warm greetings to those who have been going through illness or surgery; our thoughts are with you at this time and always.

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Deepest condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones;

may precious memories bring a smile to your heart.

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As always, wishing you clear skies, smooth flights and safe landings!

CHAA Member, Sandra Sparkes