Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team

The Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team (CHAT) operates 3 North American Harvard Mk. II aircraft and are available for solo or formation aerobatics for airshows, flybys and film.

The Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team is a flying tribute to the veterans of World War II and has been flying for many years with decades of experience behind them, and continue to astound crowds around North America. All pilot's hold "STATEMENT OF AEROBATIC COMPETENCY" cards for solo and formation aerobatics down to the surface.

Pete Spence, Dave Hewitt and Kent Beckham are all members of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) based in Tillsonburg, Ontario. CHAA is a charitable organization with a mandate to acquire, preserve, restore, maintain, display and demonstrate the Harvard aircraft and other aircraft associated with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The team originated as a father-son (Beckham) act based at Woodstock Ontario. Norm ('Mr. Harvard'- Kent's dad) performed his last airshow at London Airshow '98. Kent, Dave and Pete trained as a three plane act throughout '99 and 2000 premiering at London Airshow 2000. Past performances have included:

-Thunder Over Louisville (KY)
-Canadian International Airshow -CNE,(ON)
-Willowgrove, Naval Air Station (PA)
-Rochester (NY) -North Bay Heritage Festival (ON)
-Utica Great North-Eastern Airshow (NY)
-Geneseo Historical Air Group Airshow (NY)
-Camp Bordon CAFB (ON) -Windsor Airshow (ON)
-London Airshow (ON)
-Brantford Airshow (ON)
-Sarnia's Great Canadian Fly-In (ON)

To not only see yellow Harvards against a blue sky billowing light smoke, but hear and feel their pulse is an incredible experience shared with airshow spectators. The combination of subsonic, transonic and supersonic sections of the prop release a roar that is the music of the Harvard.

It's all about energy management. Potential energy (altitude) being traded for kinetic energy (airspeed) and back again results in a beyond belief show larger than your stationary field of vision. You'll have to crane your neck to take in the full experience. Mouths will be agape, and tonsils will be sun burnt. Unlike jets which pass for a fleeting moment; the Canadian Harvards dominate centre stage without dead sky limited only by the surface of the earth itself.

Although Pete, Dave and Kent use these 3 ton aircraft masterfully to perform a tight aerial sequence with upbeat background music, better modern aircraft exist that would make the task much easier - but they just wouldn't have the same presence in the afternoon sky. If it was that easy, everyone would be doing it.

The performers have so much fun, it's hard to determine who is enjoying the show more - the audience or the pilots.

A must see performance/experience!

Photo Gallery

Contact

Greg Tyrell Team Co-Ordinator g.tyrell@sympatico.ca Phone: (905) 648-2732
Please fill out your contact information below if you are interested in contacting the operator, or agent, of this Warbird and you require more information for booking this aircraft at your Airshow or Event.

 

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