Tours

We welcome local and regional organizations to visit us for a tour of our facilities.

Suitable for adults and kids

Adults and kids alike will begin their visit in our Welcome Centre and enjoy a guided tour of our Maintenance Hangar, Restoration Hangar, and our ramp space, discussing the history and background of our aircraft.

Our tours are suitable for anyone interested in aviation, the military, and history, or who simply wants to see some really cool planes.

Corporate team building
Field trip for members of non-profit groups
Cycling groups
School field trip
Boys and girls clubs

Storied History

The Harvard aircraft has a storied history, playing a pivotal role during the Second World War. Dubbed “the pilot maker”, it trained tens of thousands of young men from Canada and Allied Forces as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and the Royal Canadian Air Force. After the war, Harvards continued to serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force until their retirement in 1966.

Cost:: By donation
Times/Dates:: Flexible to suit your needs
Duration:: Flexible to suit your needs
Wheelchair Accessible:: Yes
Washrooms on site:: Yes
Parking:: Plenty of free parking

Book your tour today!

To request a tour or visit, please send us a message here. We’d love to host your group.

Did you know?

Did you know we have the largest fleet of Harvards in North America? We own eight Harvards and one Yale.

Museum Tours – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Discover Canadian Aviation History at the Tillsonburg Regional Airport!

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) welcomes individuals, families, schools, youth organizations, and community groups to explore an important part of Canada’s aviation heritage.

Our museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about the legendary Harvard aircraft, the people who flew them, and their important role in training military pilots during the Second World War.

Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for an educational and memorable experience, we look forward to welcoming you!

1. When is the museum open for tours?

Our museum is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Drop-in visitors are always welcome! Guided tours are available when our volunteer staff are available.

To ensure the best possible experience, we encourage visitors to contact us in advance to arrange a guided tour.

2. How far in advance should we book a tour?

For organized groups, including schools, youth organizations, and community groups, we ask that you contact us at least two weeks in advance of your preferred tour date.

This allows us to arrange volunteer tour guides, coordinate activities, and prepare for your visit.

Individual visitors and small groups are welcome to drop in during regular museum hours, with guided tours subject to volunteer availability.

3. Where is the museum located?

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association is located at Tillsonburg Regional Airport in Tillsonburg, Ontario.

Our facilities include our Welcome Centre, historic aircraft hangars, restoration facilities, and aviation exhibits.

Address:
Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association
244411 Airport Rd
Tillsonburg, ON N4G 4H1
Canada

4. Are school groups and youth organizations welcome?

Absolutely! We welcome school classes, Air Cadets, youth organizations, and other educational groups.

Our tours offer students an opportunity to learn about Canadian aviation history, aircraft technology, and the important role the Harvard aircraft played in training military pilots during the Second World War.

We believe that introducing young people to aviation history can inspire an interest in science, technology, engineering, and aviation careers.

5. Are adult supervisors required for school and youth groups?

Yes. For the safety and supervision of students, we require one accompanying adult for every 4 to 6 students.

Teachers, parents, and group leaders are responsible for supervising students throughout their visit.

All accompanying adults are expected to assist our volunteer tour guides in ensuring students follow safety instructions, particularly when visiting aircraft hangars and maintenance areas.

6. What will we see during the tour?

One of the highlights of your visit will be the opportunity to walk right up to our historic Harvard aircraft and see them up close!

We are proud to operate North America’s largest fleet of Harvard aircraft, with eight aircraft in our collection.

During your visit, you will have the opportunity to:

Experience historic aircraft up close: See the legendary Harvard aircraft that helped train thousands of military pilots.
Discover Canadian aviation history: Learn about the Harvard’s significant role in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during the Second World War.
Explore our three hangars: Visit our Maintenance Hangar, Restoration Hangar, and main Aircraft Hangar.
Learn about aircraft restoration and maintenance: Discover how our dedicated volunteers maintain, restore, and preserve these remarkable 80-year-old aircraft.
Explore aviation artifacts and exhibits: View historical displays, aircraft components, and memorabilia that tell the story of Canadian military aviation.
Meet our volunteers: Learn about the people who dedicate their time and expertise to preserving, maintaining, and flying these historic aircraft.

Please note that access to certain areas may be limited due to ongoing maintenance or aircraft operations.

7. How long does a museum tour take?

Tour length varies depending on the size, age, and interests of the group.

Whether you’re visiting with family, a school class, or a community organization, we aim to provide an informative, interactive, and enjoyable experience.

We can discuss the expected tour duration when arranging your visit to ensure it fits your group’s schedule.

8. Can we bring our own lunch?

Yes! We recommend that school groups and visitors bring a packed lunch, particularly when planning an extended visit.

There is also a café restaurant located at Tillsonburg Regional Airport for visitors who prefer to purchase a meal.

Café Operating Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Monday: Closed

Please note that the café closes at 2:00 PM, one hour before the museum’s regular closing time.

If your group plans to bring packed lunches, please let us know when booking so we can discuss lunch arrangements and prepare tables if required.

9. Are there safety rules visitors must follow?

Yes. As our museum operates at an active airport with working aircraft, the safety of our visitors and volunteers is a priority.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit:

Visitors must remain with their tour guide when visiting aircraft hangars and operational areas.
All visitors must follow instructions provided by CHAA volunteers.
Visitors must remain within designated areas and respect restricted zones.
Children must be supervised by their accompanying adults at all times.
Visitors must not touch aircraft equipment or enter aircraft unless permission is given by their tour guide.

Our volunteers will provide any necessary safety instructions during your visit.

10. Can visitors take photographs?

Absolutely! We encourage you to take photographs and capture memories of your visit!

Whether you’re standing beside one of our historic Harvard aircraft, exploring our exhibits, or enjoying your time at the museum, we welcome you to take pictures and share your experience with family and friends.

We would love to see your photos on social media!

Please consider tagging the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association when sharing your pictures on Facebook or other social media platforms.

Your photographs help us share Canada’s aviation heritage with new audiences and inspire future generations of aviation enthusiasts.

For everyone’s safety, please follow your tour guide’s instructions when taking photographs around aircraft and maintenance areas.

11. Can tours be customized for different age groups?

Yes! We aim to make our tours interesting and educational for visitors of different ages and backgrounds.

For school groups and youth organizations, we can focus on topics such as:

Canadian aviation history and the Second World War.
The role of the Harvard aircraft in training military pilots.
Aircraft technology, engineering, and mechanics.
Aircraft restoration and preservation.
The importance of volunteering and preserving Canada’s aviation heritage.
Career opportunities in aviation and aerospace.

Please let us know the age group and any particular educational interests when booking so our volunteer tour guides can tailor the experience to your group.

12. Is the entire tour indoors?

Our museum tours include visits to aircraft hangars and other areas of our facilities.

Depending on aircraft locations and activities, some walking outdoors may be required when moving between buildings.

We recommend dressing appropriately for the weather and wearing comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes.

13. Is parking available?

Yes! Free parking is available at Tillsonburg Regional Airport for all museum visitors.

If you are organizing a school or group tour and will be arriving by bus, please let us know in advance so we can help coordinate your arrival and parking arrangements.

14. Are souvenirs available for purchase?

Yes! Visitors can explore our museum store, where CHAA merchandise and aviation-themed souvenirs are available for purchase.

Our store offers visitors an opportunity to take home a reminder of their visit while supporting the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association.

Proceeds from merchandise sales help support our volunteer-operated organization and the ongoing preservation and operation of our historic aircraft.

15. Is the museum accessible to visitors with mobility challenges?

Yes! We strive to make our museum welcoming and accessible to all visitors.

Our facilities offer several accessibility features:

Welcome Centre: Equipped with a wheelchair-accessible ramp for easy entry.
Restoration Hangar: An accessible washroom is available for visitors.
Airport Café: Accessible parking and a wheelchair ramp are available for visitors wishing to enjoy a meal at the café.

As our museum includes several aircraft hangars and operates at an active airport, accessibility may vary in certain areas of the tour.

If you or someone in your group has mobility challenges or requires special assistance, please let us know when booking so we can discuss your needs and make appropriate arrangements wherever possible.

We want everyone to enjoy their visit and experience Canada’s aviation heritage at the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association.

16. How do we arrange a museum tour?

Drop-in visitors are always welcome during our regular museum hours! Guided tours are available when volunteer staff are available.

For organized groups, schools, and youth organizations, please contact the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association at least two weeks before your preferred visit.

We ask that all group tour arrangements be coordinated directly with the person responsible for organizing and supervising the group.

Having a designated group contact allows us to communicate important information, coordinate tour arrangements, discuss safety requirements, and ensure everyone is prepared for an enjoyable visit.

When contacting us, please provide the following information:

Group Contact: Name, phone number, and email address of the person responsible for organizing the visit.
Preferred Tour Date: Your requested date and approximate arrival time.
Group Name: Name of your school, organization, or community group.
Number of Visitors: Approximate number of participants attending.
Age Group: Age range of students or youth participants, if applicable.
Adult Supervisors: Number of teachers, parents, or group leaders accompanying the students.
Lunch Arrangements: Whether your group plans to bring packed lunches.
Accessibility Requirements: Any mobility or accessibility needs we should be aware of.
Special Interests: Any particular educational topics or activities your group would like us to focus on.

Providing this information helps our volunteers prepare for your visit, arrange tour guides, and ensure your group has a safe, educational, and memorable experience.

Contact Us

Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association

Museum Hours: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM