Ron Duholke at 92 becomes Canada’s oldest pilot, reunites with historic RCAF Harvard aircraft after seven decades
Duholke’s return to the cockpit was more than a flight; There was a very important part of his life and a heartfelt reconciliation with Canada’s aviation heritage. Harvard, often called “pilot producer” or “yellow danger ,, guided more than 130,000 Canada and allied troops during the World War II, leading training planes and pilot, artillery and navigators.
The opportunity unexpectedly came while chatting with Brock Allison’s pilot and owner Brock Allison. Recognizing the history of Duholke, Allison invited him for a flight at Cooking Lake Airport.
“People like Ron are a connection with history, Allison Ctvnews said. “He still remembers the power settings he would use for take -off, climbing, cruise and aerobasi. He remembers it 70 years ago. I was surprised that his mind was very sharp.”
After the air, Duholke took control of meticulous instrument education and re -experienced Aerobatic memories. Although he refused to try a cycle this time, he remembered the excitement of the flying maneuvers he learned as a young pilot in 1956.
Vintage Harvard continues to be a rare landscape, only about 20 to 25 still flys in Canada and about five in Alberta. Aviation enthusiasts value the important role of pilots in educating the plane throughout generations and protecting Canada’s war heritage.
