Historic planes taking flight for public passenger rides at annual Chilliwack airshow

CHILLIWACK — Residents are invited to step into the living past as it roars into present skies at this year’s Chilliwack Flight Fest.

Alberta-based Yellow Thunder will be on-site with their historic North American Harvard aircraft for exclusive public passenger rides.

“Yellow Thunder offers community members a rare hands-on opportunity to step back in time and experience exactly what WWII-era aviators felt, heard, and saw while training in the 1940s,” read a release.

The Harvard, also known as “The Pilot Maker”, was used primarily for advanced training to prepare thousands of Royal Canadian Air Force pilots during and post-World War II. 

Yellow Thunder’s brother duo, Dave and Drew Watson, have since preserved the 600-horsepower radial-engined planes and been touring with them at air shows and fly-in events across North America.

Dave and Drew Watson. (Image Credit: Yellow Thunder / Supplied)

The team is set to be at the Chilliwack Airport from August 14 to 16, with Flight Fest kicking off on August 15.

Passengers can expect to experience standard flight maneuvers, military formation or optional high-performance aerobatics. More information is available through Yellow Thunder’s website.