90 year old Active Flight Instructor! Proving that passion keeps you young.

The Best Feel Good Aviation Story I’ve Ever Told!
Flying with one of the World’s Oldest Active Pilots and Flight Instructors!
Proudly associated with ForeFlight: www.foreflight.com/flightchops
After arriving in Canada with Martin and Micke, ending our Atlantic Crossing Ferry Flight (episodes here: • Atlantic Crossing Flig... ), I help facilitate getting them an experience of a lifetime #flying a Stearman #warbird trainer.
We met up my friend and mentor, and one of the most qualified pilots I know, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Ron Holden, at the Canadian Aviation Museum in Windsor, Ontario. You might recognize Ron from some of the warbird videos and others we’ve shot at the hangar in Windsor. Ron is a 90 year old retired RCAF pilot AND STILL certified as a flight Instructor for both #generalaviation and Aerobatics!
View the full/raw cut of the T6 Harvard Solo Aerobatic flight on Ron’s 85th Birthday, available here for channel supporters: / 7580533
Ron’s Book - Pilot Stories (Highly Recommended!) is available in the gift shop at the Canadian Aviation Museum and online at the FlightChops Merch Store: flightchops.store/product/ron...
*Proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Aviation Museum
The Canadian Aviation Museum is an 18,000 square foot historical aircraft hangar, home to Windsor's own Lancaster bomber, Mosquito KB161, Two DHC-1 Chipmunks, Stearman, T-33, T-6 Harvard, and the Fairchild 24R Argus, as well as a soon to be airworthy Tiger Moth and Cornell. Located at the west end of Windsor International Airport, just south of Airport Road in the original hangar of #7 Elementary Flying Training School.
Please consider joining a supporting from afar even if you're not local.
View more information here: canadianaviationmuseum.ca/
Huge thanks to all the Supporters on Patreon!
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FLIGHT CHOPS DISCLAIMER:
I am a "weekend warrior" private pilot, I fly for fun with no intentions of going commercial. I have had my PPL for over 15 years, but still consider each flight a learning experience - I generally take detailed notes after each flight to remind myself what went well or what I could do to improve.... Having GoPro cameras to record flights like this is invaluable. I find these self analysis videos very helpful in my constant quest to improve, and am happy to share. Feedback is invited; however, please keep it positive.
Visit www.FlightChops.com/ for behind-the-scenes content, epic giveaways and to search episodes by aircraft type!

[@donmclellan3435]

The man is a legend! It's an absolute honor to have his name in my Logbook...

[@kimpierce8858]

Good job flying too, Don!!!!

[@duanethompson2360]

My instructor was Charlie McAllister who’s license was signed by Orville Wright. He was in his nineties and a great instructor. He taught in Aronca Champs . He started his school in Yakima Washington in 1924. He was located in the now Carbon Cub factory. He was an incredible man!

[@tappan48]

My very first instructor in 1967, I was 14 if memory serves, was with a one-eyed older pilot by the name of Tommy Thompson. Great sailplane pilot out of Lake Elsinore, Ca. I'm sure he's soaring heavenly thermals now. I'm 68. Still soaring!

[@groggysword33]

Think of it like this: If you got your license at 50, and could keep current like this man. You got 40 years under your belt. You’re never too old to start!

[@FlightChops]

THIS is an EXCELLENT take!

[@groggysword33]

Thank you! I’m slowly working on my ground currently for my PPL. Your videos help me keep going!

[@derekroulston1977]

Got mine at 54. Steve’s videos have been inspirational

[@thehoeser]

There is no question that I wouldn't be where I am today without Ron. He is absolutely still as sharp as the day I met him over 10 years ago now. I can't quite credit him with "teaching me everything I know about tail-draggers" (that would be a disservice to another great pilot, Rick Macklem) - but I will say he has taught me "almost everything". Ron was my check pilot on the Chipmunk, the Stearman, the Harvard, and the RV-7 and completed all my instructor seat training in all those airplanes. It's laughable now that as the Chief Pilot I have to do Ron's flight reviews every year... as you might imagine, I don't have to give him all that much feedback :)

[@cycleSCUBA]

Ron is an amazing guy. It's the countless pilots he's trained and such a gentleman. A credit to his Country.

[@AndyHoltOutdoorUniversity]

As I watched Ron teach and encourage his students, he reminds me of Proverbs 27:17..."As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." When you meet men like Ron, you count yourself lucky. Best wishes to you, Ron and continued success to you, Steve!

[@kimpierce8858]

Love the scripture verse. Oh so true!!!!

[@shermansherbert2570]

Cutting the two identical flights progressively like that really kept up the flow of the video, vs one after another - nice editing decision.

[@FlightChops]

Thanks for noticing the post production work - That's definitely where most of my energy goes - I appreciate your time as a viewer, so I try to keep the stories tight and engaging.

[@coriscotupi]

We also had a legend at our local flying club. Mr Gastaldoni was an instructor and also an accredited check ride examiner. He fought in WWII, sank german U-boats off the coast of Brazil, but you'd never tell by talking to him. He was the sweetest old man, the most polite pilot I ever knew, a true gentleman. Today he is up there among the stars.

[@jessekiefer0206]

It’s amazing that he is 90yo and still doing what he loves best!

[@InformationMike]

My instructor is 77 and still holds a Cessna Citation type rating. He's been a blessing to meet. I swear flying keeps you young. He's getting me through commercial training now. He has such wisdom to pass on.

[@ahmadtheaviationlover1937]

This is why I want LOVE AVIATION SO MUCH

[@camsmeltzer9388]

When Mr Holden remarks that you made a lovely landing…. Block letters in the logbook!!

[@Orzorn]

That guy's 90? He doesn't look a day over 70. Its awesome you have access to skilled and experienced pilots like him!

[@davidkreutzkamp6602]

In total awe at 7:33. Man Ron is cool, collected and in control. I wish I lived in Windsor so he could instruct me for me re-cert. The exact type of instructor most pilot need, whether they know it or not.

[@FlightChops]

I regularly make the trek from Toronto to fly there :) (~3 hour drive, or a ~1.5 hour flight in a Cherokee Six, or a 1 hour flight in the RV-14 :)

[@ozziepilot2899]

Watching Ron and the lads brought a tear of joy to my eye. Makes me optimistic I will still be flying at 90 (gosh that's only 23 years away :) )

[@LinkinLoris]

Thank you so much for sharing, Steve. This really was feel good to watch. The Diamond team seem to be great guys, Ron’s an absolute legend, and thank you for making these awesome videos. Cheers from Latvia.

[@FlightChops]

Glad you enjoyed it Edgar!

[@ChrisCowherd]

Catching my breath ... the F104 Starfighter is my childhood vision of futuristic aviation; it's the epitome of what aviation would be today. To have the great honor of flying with, let alone signing off from a Starfighter pilot is over the top. What an exciting experience.

[@ColinsMarine]

This is one of your best videos, the man is a treasure of the human race. What an amazing life, and he just keeps sharing his knowledge and skills.

[@deanclarke706]

Awesome instructor, no panic and totally at ease in every situation, experience will develop this characteristic and this gentleman will be truly missed when he passes on.

[@flywithhan]

Still can’t believe he’s 90! He looks and moves as if he’s in his 50’s and is sharp as ever. I hope to be that full of life when I’m 90! I’d love to fly with him one day

[@kiwiaviator33]

One of your best videos. My last instructor Doug Yarrell passed away in 2021 at age 88. Still aviating and flew a Vampire a few months before he went. He still holds the New Zealand record for highest altitude in gliding set in 1968 which was a world record then 37288' Ron reminded me so much of him. Thanks Flightchops.

[@tmeyer2022]

That's a great tribute to Ron Holden, a Canadian veteran.

[@bethanyparr5331]

Hey! That's my Uncle Don!!! Such a cool video :)

[@SVSky]

Gotta love that old-airplane tailwheel smile!

[@b2bw1955]

My father-in-law is no longer with us ...but he left me with many stories from his flying career. He flew P-47's during WWII and had some great stories of his time as a fighter pilot. When he got back to the states ...he purchased a tail dragger plane (Luscombe 11 Sedan) and started teaching. I would have had a free instructor except by the time I met him ...he couldn't get his medical cert ...so that was that!

[@1hornet1]

Great video Steve. I learned how to fly at Texas Taildraggers in Houston. My instructor was Joy Bowden. When I was flying with her (mid 90's) she, at the time, had enough flight time that she spent a well over year of her life in the sky. She was amazing to fly with and still going strong! Then my private pilot checkride was given to me by Maybelle Fletcher. 30k hours! Multiple years of her life in the air! Both ladies are legends in my book and I have the same feeling towards them as you do for Ron! Amazing people making the rest of us look like slugs. LOL

[@paulcarstens2601]

Lovely tribute to Ron, Steve. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you.

[@FlightChops]

Many thanks Paul

[@IFlySRQ]

That would be awesome to have an instructor like Ron.

[@arthurpearson3407]

It’s hard to get the smile off their faces after that Stearman flight.😉. Kudos to Ron from another proud old time CFI.

[@ScurvyDog01]

I flew with Ron years ago and he is a legend. I was a flight instructor for 20 plus years and after flying with him used many of his techniques. Glad to see Ron still flying!

[@jordanellington8511]

I had a similarly inspiring instructor at Simcom TBM700 initial training with Jerry Chipman, ex U2 spy plane pilot and also in his 90's. Makes us strive we can be so good at their age :)

[@simonmercier6733]

What an amazing human being. I wish I can still do my favourite hobbies by the time I'm 90!

[@triboarder06]

Great video Steve! Love the old guys that are still able to fly, so much to learn from them. I had a 75 yr old instructor myself, the comfort they have in all situations is incredible.

[@mattkalin3139]

I hope I can keep Flying at 90! 36 now so 54 More years of Aviation! Still wont be enough ;) Great video Steve!

[@mikelayzell1158]

Good to see Ron’s still at it. I worked with Ron back in ‘02. Legend.

[@coasterbrookie]

What a fantastic gentleman. Just stellar. Thanks for a reply inspiring video!

[@AviatingWithMel]

Fab video Steve, Ron is flipping awesome. I hope I am still flying vintage aircraft at 90. The Diamond guys seemed to enjoy themselves.

[@iansmith1368]

What a great piece Steve. Ron is a legend and gives so much to aviation. Love your content, fly safe

[@FlightChops]

Thanks, you too!

[@furyofbongos]

A youthful spirit still burns bright inside this man.

[@FlyingGrimaud]

This is so cool. I am weeks away from earning my CFI and this mans patience is truly incredible. Thanks for your years of service to the aviation community Mr. Ron!

[@pappybo49]

Thanks for sharing WOW!!! What a great day to go flying! And what a great 👍 instructor to spend some time with. Thanks again.

[@BrianSiskind]

Humbling.

[@sandybanjo]

Amazing! He and Wally Funk are American icons!!!!

[@Mike_Costello]

90 Years old and sharp as a tac. GOALS!! And dude is wearing a T-Shirt!!! COLD!!!!

[@ChrisB257]

What an amazing man - such a rich history and experience and I'll bet you among many feel privileged to have been under his tutelage as well as just knowing him. His legacy will be priceless. Great to see ''the team'' able to enjoy some flights with Ron... Micke's grin was great, whereas Martin was mostly 'Mr Serious' - memorable flights for them I think. Super video Steve - captured memories.

[@Mrsournotes]

Great video Steve, and what a treasure Ron is. Made my day!

[@kevinking5406]

One of your best and most inspirational series yet. At 54 I'm attempting to change careers and pursue my dream. Your channel is keeping me in the game. And I'm learning a lot.

[@FlightChops]

Right on! Report back how it’s going!

[@donaldjmccann]

I took my initial flight training at Evergreen Field in Vancouver Washington. My last flight there was with Wally Olsen in 1997, and it turns out it was also his last flight as well. He was 90 and the owner of Evergreen at the time. My regular instructor never showed up, so he volunteered to be my instructor for the day. We were flying in horrendous conditions. As we came in for my last landing of the day, the plane flipped 90 degrees to the right at 100 feet. He took over and landed it as if there was no turbulence at all. It turns out that he had been living with cancer and not reporting it. He died a few days after our flight.

[@elainethorne4344]

Wow, such an amazing story and experience! Sad he passed away, he lived the life he loved right till the end. R.I.P,

[@walt8089]

What a Blessed Man, warmed my heart !

[@tds456]

There are a few people in every area who make a disproportionate impact in that area. Ron is definitely one of those people having given so many people the freedom of flight. He is a true inspiration and I can only hope I'm still flying and enjoying things as much when I'm half his age.

[@charlesmoss8119]

I was once reminded that those older may have done things that put my humble achievements in the shade - I used to do a lot of car testing - cool stuff - but was talking to an older gent at a dinner and he had been a test pilot including Hunter variants and Lightning based at Boscombe Down - too easily the young forget the achievements of those who come before

[@justinc5356]

What a legend Ron is, and you could just see the absolute joy in the face of the Diamond team!

[@LouisLupz]

My respect!!

[@GaryMCurran]

I remember my first, and only, ride in the Stearman, way back in the mid 1970s. The Pilot back then was probably about as old as Ron is now. The Stearman was a joy to fly. It didn't 'take off', it levitated off of the runway, and climbed in an almost flat attitude. The difference between a Cessna 150 or a Piper Cherokee 140 and the Stearman was night and day. Such a gentle airplane to fly, albeit there was a reason why there were pedals for your feet! LOL Thank Ron for me for teaching all these years. It certainly has kept him young.

[@CCitis]

Fantastic. Love it.

[@safaga12374]

Just WOW !

[@Billliamm]

Legendary.

[@maillouski]

What an awesome guy!

[@GarryOzols]

Ron is a ledgend and the look of pure elation and joy in Mickes eyes when he took of is priceless. This is what aviation is all about, sharing the joy and keeping people excited. Micke, if you are reading this, commercial aviation pays the bills, but flying something like this keeps the blues away. You are young, start a good work/life balance now so you too can be a CFI with a spring in your step and a sparkel in your eyes at 90.

[@ricfe]

Excellent video, God bless old Pilots !!!

[@clarencewiles963]

Thanks! You got so much more than can be thought 💭 friends and family all around fantastic!

[@D4NS80]

How awesome! What a beautiful aircraft and a great teacher.

[@joshcantrell1314]

What a great story. We need more of these people in the world.

[@Tyler-Hagan-Racing]

What an amazing man he is! Thank you for bringing him into our lives, even if only virtually.

[@halepauhana153]

wow, he is amazing! I hope I'm still flying when I'm 90! Truly inspirational.

[@christopherbordenave6955]

What a treat!!

[@mrsaskriders]

Wow Ron is a joy!

[@bengoodwin6539]

Awe inspiring video. Ron has the mannerisms and style of John Wooden. I yearn for an instructor with the experience and unflappable balance he demonstrates. Thanks for sharing.

[@jts4233]

Ron is so sweet - he is the real incorporation of the pure joy of flying- and he has got the seldom gift of being able to ignite the flame of passion for aviation in anybody without saying a word! God bless him with many happy landings to come! 💖👍🤗

[@RoryM07]

What a lovely man Ron is! Thanks for sharing!

[@randylaw3368]

Thank you!

[@mikercflyer7383]

I am in total agreement it is the best fell good aviation story one that they will cherish for life.

[@jonnysmith9446]

Incredible guy, fantastic video Steve

[@planelander]

Wow, a legend!

[@bruschi8148]

What an absolute legend!! So awesome you were able to share this with the Austrians and share this with us..Thank you Steve for your dedication, passion and taking us along on your journey

[@GaryLaaks1]

Brilliant. Long live Ron. Literaly done more for the 1000 air students in his life than most other people. When your job is doing something you love, you dont work a day in your life.

[@Dreamsofwings]

What an incredible inspiration Ron is. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@tk27a]

Steve, you did it again with a first-class video! I cried early. I love these wonderful stories. Watching Ron handling the spin with mastery is a lesson of humility. I hate spins. They made me dizzy for more than 24 hours. What a unique human being is Ron. Staying calm, letting you learn thru your mistakes without shame but in a way that you will remember and appreciate is indeed, most inspiring. Thank you, Steve, for all your work and kindness and generosity and for the opportunities you give to others. The editing is amazing, so many short sequences help us appreciate everything that is happening in these events. The images while they are doing steep turn are incredible! We are blessed to have access to all these people and events thru your videos.

[@flojo7144]

Beautiful video and a fitting conclusion to a fantastic series!

[@Hamperokken]

First!! :) Edit: I really enjoy your videos, and grow more and more interested in the people in aviation that you meet and interview. Keep it up!

[@WhereintheWorldisJosh]

Ron was doing those maneuvers right over my house (you can see it in the video!) and I thought for sure something was wrong!

[@FlightChops]

Hey that's cool - the solo aerobatic flight was from ~2016. If you're not on Patreon, email and I'll send you the full raw video link if you'd like. flightchops at gmail dot com

[@ahmadtheaviationlover1937]

I wish this guy was my flight instructor!

[@Mavrick1509]

I was lucky enough to fly in the harvard with him and meet you when the Betty was in town for an airshow, windsor is my hometown and I'm lucky enough to see these warbirds all the time

[@markthibault8579]

What a gem he is. Reminds me of the co-founder of my local flying club, John Spronk, who had a similar history. I had the privilige of getting my annual flight checks with him when he was an active pilot; there was always something to learn in every flight. I'm sure those who are lucky to fly with Ron are also treated to the same.

[@wconkle]

True hero

[@KerboOnYT]

Great stuff! I need to add Ron's book to my library

[@goatflieg]

Amen, brother! Especially after reading his book... to think that I've gotten to hang out with Ron numerous times, and trade stories... and ride in formation with him (!!!)... well, in the aviation world, it just doesn't get much better than that. So glad you shared this; love this one so much!

[@FlightChops]

Yeah man - I'm really happy with how this one came together

[@Dragonrc.]

I would kill to learn from someone like that, I have a a few hundred hours fixed wing now and a few thousand in helis I love to learn and perfect the art. We are always harder on ourselves than the instructor will ever be!

[@CamMcConnell]

Been following for years. Honestly one of my favorite chops eps ever!

[@FlightChops]

Appreciated - the algorithm didn't love this one, (not click baity enough I guess) but those that found it, have enjoyed it.

[@Flojer0]

I saw one of those stearman's fly 500ft over my appartment after parking. They're cooler to see in person than on video, and the plane noise is neat too

[@snotnosewilly99]

I knew a guy that was taking his second glider lesson. His flight instructor was about 80 years old. After they had been up for a while the student asked the instructor to take over and set the glider up for landing as he was losing altitude. The student turned around and looked into the back seat.....the 80 year old was fast asleep.

[@squidboii]

Ron took me up in my first Harvard ride :) I'd love to get up with him again sometime. Can't wait to get close look at the RV14 this summer.

[@FlightChops]

Yeah! We'll he having events again soon!

[@europaeuropa3673]

Nice view of Lake Erie down below.

[@gtm624]

Wow! Incredible! The aviation community is full of well running old folks lol. Amazing how healthy and long one can live when they live every day doing what they love and happy as opposed to being miserable every day working a job you don’t like. Live your best life! If your not flying go take a lesson!

[@markjensen8144]

Most people look like they get many years older when they pull Gs but Ron definitely gets younger.

[@josephsener420]

What a grin!

[@aaronbarnhard8668]

Great video, Steve. Ron is a treasure!

[@FlightChops]

Totally - what a privilege to have is name in the logbook, eh?

[@aaronbarnhard8668]

@@FlightChops Indeed! An honour and a privilege.

[@craigsanders6925]

That was fantastic, our chief pilot at the Travis Aero club is a lot like him, but not quite that age. He is still the "Standard" :)

[@sticknrudder1903]

That's exactly what I want to do! Getting all sorts of hands-on flying experience! I wish I can say what Ron said at the end of the video when I am 90 years old.

[@shuelin]

i want to be like ron at his age.