HARVARD HAPPENINGS – SEPTEMBER 2011

www.harvards.com

CHAA, Box 175, Tillsonburg ON N4G 4H5

1. Members’ Monthly Meeting:

The next CHAA members' meeting will be held at 7:30pm on Tuesday, September 20. Our guest speaker will be Philip Englishman from Hanover who is the Southern Ontario Director for COPA (Canadian Owners and Pilots Association), the voice of general aviation in Canada. Philip plans to speak on COPA’s involvement in pilot issues and changes that affect general aviation. The aviation community in Tillsonburg area has been informed of this speaker.  All are welcome.

2. 2011 CHAA Flying Season:

Sat/Sun, Sept 17/18: JAM Open House, London Airport

Sunday, September 18: Stratford Flypast

Saturday, September 24: CHAA’s Wings & Wheels Day

Friday, November 11: Remembrance Day Flypasts

3. Backseat Rides and PR – Bob Trowell 519-425-1510 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The opening of the new Woodstock Hospital on August 26 was a real success for CHAA. Our three-plane flyover was well received by the hospital staff and government dignitaries attending the event. CHAA received a note and photo from the Coordinator of the Hospital Foundation thanking us for really adding what they called “the WOW factor” to the ceremonies. They weren't expecting two passes over the hospital and many attendees had great words to say about CHAA and the Harvards. All three backseats were filled so it was a great day for us overall. Thanks to everyone involved for making this flyover such a success.

All three backseats for the November 11 Toronto Remembrance Day flyover are now booked.

Everything is coming together for Wings 'n Wheels Day on September 24. An ad has been placed in Old Auto newspaper, the radio commercial is ready to go and flyers have been printed and distributed. Thanks to Shane for all his efforts.

4. CHAA’s Wings & Wheels Day -- Saturday, September 24

LAST CHAA MEMBERS FLYDAY of the 2011 Season! Be there to get your flight!

This is always a great day with Harvards flying, BBQs sending out enticing smells, fresh coffee for sale, CHAA Stores stocked with t-shirts/sweatshirts and more, highly polished Vintage automobiles, historic ground military vehicles, the Dive Team’s display (including their Zodiac), an auction & CHAA displays.

Coordinator for this event, Shane Clayton, says volunteers are needed to help with spectator parking at Wings & Wheels. Ideally it would be young folks (i.e. Harvard Hawks or Cadets, etc) or even high school students who need community hours for credit.  Contact Shane at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are able to assist with public parking or to volunteer in any other way.

Parking for CHAA members is behind and south of Hangar One. Access to this parking is the gravel lane on the right when you enter the airport. Volunteers at the gate will assist you in finding the way if you are not sure.

An Auction Fundraiser will be held during this Flyday. All funds raised from this auction go directly toward our Harvards.  If you have any items to donate, please bring them to Sandra at the next members meeting (September 20) or to Wings & Wheels on September 24. Tax receipts are available for the value of all donated items. Volunteers will be needed to help with this auction. Contact Sandra at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have items to donate or wish to volunteer.

5. CHAA’s FORMATION TEAM WILL BE ON TV! During the Windsor Airshow last weekend, Rick Mercer went for a flight with CHAA’s Formation Team, with Edward Soye as his pilot!  We are told THIS episode of RICK MERCER REPORT will most likely be televised on September 27 (…although we have been told it will not be on the 20^th, you might want to watch that night too just in case). Get your recording devices ready, as this will be one we will want to view again and again!

6. Eric Dumigan’s shots of CHAA’S Formation Team along with Rick Mercer and his crew, are available at http://www.airic.ca/html/2011wiasrickmercer.html Check out Eric’s site www.airic.ca for other fantastic shots he has taken this flying season.  Thank you, Eric, for sharing your view of the aviation world with us.

7. CHAA Member, Shane Clayton sent the following sites to view shots of CHAA Formation Team’s experience with Rick Mercer at the Windsor Airshow:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo174/rcaf_100/CHAA/mercer_flight_01.jpg
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo174/rcaf_100/CHAA/mercer_flight_02.jpg
http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo174/rcaf_100/CHAA/mercer_flight_03.jpg
Thanks, Shane!

8. Kitchen/Waterloo Photographer, Charity Matheson, kindly sent us photos from the Waterloo Air Show (August 2011) and they are downloaded on our site at http://harvards.com/about-chaa-mainmenu-89/image-gallery/category/59 Thank you, Charity, for sharing these photos with us.

9. CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER!

- COMMENDATION AWARDED TO TED BARRIS

On July 27, during a ceremony in Mississauga, accomplished author and CHAA member Ted Barris was one of nineteen citizens of Ontario honored by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs for Canada. These commendations are normally given to veterans but in special circumstances non-veterans (civilians) are chosen.  From Ted’s website, www.tedbarris.com the following was taken: “Minister Blaney said, “After serving, many of Canada’s Veterans have continued to provide outstanding service to their country, their communities and their fellow Veterans. They have truly been nation builders and have earned our undying respect and gratitude.” “It is equally gratifying to see other Canadians volunteer their time and efforts to give back to our Veterans. Today, we recognize their hard work and honour them.”… “Ted Barris has made such exemplary contributions by generously giving of himself and so both benefiting veterans and making manifest the principle that Canada’s obligation to all who have served in the cause of Peace and Freedom, must not be forgotten.”

Ted sent this note to all CHAA members: “…It's a distinct honour. It's quite humbling. But it's also due in part because the CHAA membership always offers support whenever I try to get veterans' stories out there. Without that access (and of course the gift of the veterans' memories in the first place) none of what I do would get an airing, much less attention such as this. I just wanted to say a hearty thanks. Part of this recognition belongs to my friends at CHAA.

To read more about this Commendation, to view the Commendation pin and other pictures, to leave Ted a note and/or to learn more about our friend, Ted Barris, go to http://tedbarris.com/2011/07/29/commendation/#more-1155

10. Membership Report: Marion Bennell This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 1-519-633-0053

The 2012 renewal letters are in the mail.  Please return promptly in the envelope provided making certain that all the information is correct on the form. 
If anyone ordered a name badge and is still waiting for it, please contact Marion ASAP.

Marion and Ray are heading out on a cruise, received as a recent anniversary gift, and we wish them smooth sailing!

11. CHAA Website Updates:

CHAA member, Roy Venn ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) is making every effort to keep the CHAA website calendar up-to-date. For this to happen, any events you are scheduling in CHAA’s name need to be forwarded to Roy as soon as you know about them. Roy’s responsibility is to place what you send him onto the website, not to write it for you, so information must sent in fully written format, using the wording you want and where it is to be placed, Thank you for your cooperation with this venture, as we strive to keep all members informed of CHAA Happenings.

12. An update from one of CHAA’s Harvard Hawks, Jesse Van Parys: As some of you may know, this summer was very busy for me. I had the privilege of attending the Royal Canadian Air Cadet's prestigious Advanced Aviation Technology Course- Aircraft Maintenance (which course cadets fondly call AM for short). I spent 6 weeks on the main and aviation campus of Canadore College in North Bay, Ontario learning all the basics of how to diagnose and fix problems with aircraft, how to design them and how to manufacture them. For some examples, we learned about everything from magneto timing on piston-powered aircraft, riveting and basics of working with aluminum, replacing tail rotor blades on helicopters and even- as funny as it sounds- how to properly clean a windshield!!! Of course, our course was much more extensive with that, and our days were long and breaks were well deserved. If I had unlimited space in this publication I could go on forever about all the fun activities we were provided with on this course. Aside from the hard work aspect, we were also expected to perform to higher than cadet standards with our uniforms and drill. Many hours and cans of polish were used on our boots (so many cans of polish WAL-MART in North Bay decided to stock up on Kiwi black!) and we spent many more days trying to iron razor sharp creases into our shirts. The course was very challenging but in the end there was a mutual feeling of accomplishment amongst all of the cadets on course.
I am very thankful for the opportunity I was offered this summer. Of all the Air Cadets in Canada, I was one of sixty to be accepted. It is no easy course to be selected for but it is worth every last bit of effort trying to get in. I now have friends from all over the country, most residing in the Prairies, British Columbia or up North. I would like to thank CHAA for all the support they have given me throughout the past few months; it was very appreciated. 
I had the most amazing summer of my life! I wish I could share the experience with every youth in Canada, and I know every single one would love it. So if you know someone between 12-19 who wants to have the time of their life while gaining life skills and lifelong friends, get them to join the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. I'm sure glad I did.
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Until next time, clear skies, smooth flights and safe landings!

Sandra Sparkes, CHAA Member