Sunday, June 11, 2000, was Open House and Volunteer Appreciation Day at the Air Museum.  A steady stream of visitors had a chance to see the CATPM hangar before the commencement of the renovation construction project. CATPM volunteers were thrilled to receive rides in two of the museum's vintage aircraft -- a Cornell and a Harvard.

Having spent eight years in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, I've had the good fortune to have flown in quite a variety of aircraft, but I've never had the chance to go up in a Harvard. I was very excited then,  to see that museum director, Stephen Hayter had scheduled me for a flight in this legendary training craft, in which so many thousands of WWII pilots had trained. The fact that the official CATP Harvard pilot is longtime friend, Howard Pahl, made the flight even more memorable for me.

In preparation for the flight, my grandson Soulin and I took a solo flight in a Cessna... just a short jaunt... we actually didn't leave the hangar -- but our imaginations soared. 
My daughter China-Li and her nephew, little Soulin Hillman, walked me to the Harvard to see me off.

Harvard pilot, Howard Pahl

The Harvard taxis from the CATPM hangar tarmac, 
past the main Brandon Airport hangar and 
down to the west end of the runway.

Airborne -- We bank and circle back over the airport with the city in the distance

Brandon Airport - CATPM is the topmost building 
Trans-Canada Highway on the north side of Brandon

Brandon's North Hill area and Sportsplex
Downtown Brandon

City of Brandon from the air

Cornell in the distance
Circling the airport while the Cornell lands

Photo reconnaissance mission accomplished

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