92-Year-Old Pilot Flies Vintage Harvard Plane After 70 Years

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At Cooking Lake, Alberta, the skies became a bridge to the past when 92-year-old pilot Ron Duholke took control of a Harvard training aircraft — the same type of plane he flew during his days in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in the 1950s.

Ron first trained as a pilot in 1956, learning on the Harvard, a legendary World War II aircraft known for shaping generations of aviators. The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association calls it the most successful training plane of the war, earning nicknames like the “pilot maker” and the “Yellow Peril.” More than 130,000 Canadian and Allied aircrew trained on Harvards, preparing to become pilots, gunners, and navigators.

Memories From the Cockpit

Speaking about his early days of flying, Ron recalled learning under tough conditions. “We did instrument flight rules training, cross-country flying, aerobatics, and even limited panel flying,” he said. Limited panel flying meant covering the cockpit windows so he could only navigate using the instruments — a skill vital for pilots.

For Ron, it had been nearly seven decades since he last sat in a Harvard. That changed when he met fellow pilot and Harvard owner, Brock Allison, at Cooking Lake Airport. Upon hearing Ron’s history with the aircraft, Allison was thrilled.

A Special Invitation

“I was amazed,” Allison said. “Ron still remembers the power settings for takeoff, climb, cruise, and aerobatics from 70 years ago. His memory is so sharp. People like Ron are a living connection to history.”

Allison invited Ron to join him for a flight, offering the chance to relive a piece of his youth. Once airborne, Ron was given control of the plane. “It feels exciting, just like basic training again,” he said. “I forgot how amazing and fun it was. I’m so grateful.”

The flight wasn’t just about cruising through the air. Allison performed a loop and a couple of rolls before letting Ron take over. While Ron decided against trying a loop himself, he admitted he might have enjoyed it.

A Rare Aircraft

Today, the Harvard is a rare sight in Canada. Allison estimates that only about five are still flying in Alberta, and no more than 20 to 25 across the country. The aircraft is valued by collectors and aviation enthusiasts for its historical significance and its role in preparing pilots for combat during the Second World War.

Flying Back in Time

For Ron, stepping into the cockpit was like stepping back into his twenties. The roar of the engine, the feel of the controls, and the view from the canopy brought back memories of his time in the RCAF. “You can’t describe it,” he said. “It’s just an amazing experience.”

Moments like this remind us that aviation is more than machines and mechanics — it is a link between generations. In Ron’s case, it was a flight that carried not just a pilot, but decades of history, skill, and passion back into the open skies.