Our Mission

Our mission at the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) is to acquire, restore, preserve and demonstrate the Harvard aircraft and other training aircraft associated with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

 About Us

Created in 1985, the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association is a non-profit registered charity based in Tillsonburg, Ontario, whose volunteers work tirelessly to keep the history of the Harvard aircraft alive and honour those who served. We are proud to have acquired North America’s largest fleet of Harvard aircraft -- eight of them.  

Our organization offers flight experiences in our Harvards – Come fly with us!

 Throughout the flying season, May to November, we welcome all guests to attend any of our family-friendly home-based events at the Tillsonburg Regional Airport. Most are free of charge.

 We also perform at air shows and conduct a number of commemorative flypasts throughout the year.

 While our funding is tight, we are very proud of what we have accomplished over the years. All incoming funds are allocated to keeping our aircraft flying and essential administrative costs. Our dedicated volunteers, from our pilots and maintenance personnel, to our service crew and administrators, are passionate about their contributions towards keeping the legacy of the Harvard aircraft alive.

 The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2025.

A Brief History of the Harvard aircraft

The Harvard played 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, it continued to serve in the RCAF until its retirement in 1965.

 Your Support

As a 100% volunteer-run organization with no government assistance, the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association welcomes all levels of volunteerism and donations.  Not all our aircraft are airworthy or capable of flying, sadly, they are not all in flying condition largely because of a lack of funds. Historic aircraft are expensive to maintain, and while our volunteers donate thousands of hours each year (including our pilots and maintenance personnel), the parts necessary to purchase in order to keep our warbirds airworthy, are costly.

 We encourage you to help preserve aviation history, and help us keep these aircraft not only in flying condition, but flying as often as possible.

 #KeepEmFlying