Learning to fly the Harvard - The Flying Reporter

My first lesson in a 1942 WW2 T6 Harvard at Earls Colne Airfield, Essex.
This video was made possible by the generosity of my Patreon and Supporters' club members, and my sponsors.
Anglian War Birds.
www.anglianwar...
Cameras: Nic Small
www.shootfirst...
Disclaimer: I'm just a private pilot, sharing my real-world experiences.
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Music:
Epidemic Sound
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My recording equipment
2 GoPro Hero 5 Black
3 GoPro Hero 4 Silver
1 GoPro Hero 3+
Sony AX53 camcorder
Tascam DR-05 audio recorder
Audio attenuator 40dB
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MiPilotPro tie down mount
Ipad mount
RAM Ipad Mini 4 holder and Yoke mount.
Editing & Graphics:
FCPX
Apple Motion
Voiceover: Rode NT USB microphone
Mapping:
SkyDemon

[@AllanKlo63]

Great video. Thanks for bringing us along. The feeling of mastering a WW2 airplane brings some spice to the whole thing I can imagine. Impressive.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

It certainly wakes you up!

[@lugash4]

that looks a right old handful!!!!.....easy in the air..... on the ground and taking off/landing run hard work to keep it straight .....good job!!!!

[@benzerfernando5543]

had the privilege to fly with Nigel at Duxford 6th August 2022 in the Harvard Best experience of all. absolutely loved it. and Nigel is excellent instructor.

[@chris-cole]

I imagine that was a total pleasure to fly! Amazing video! Thank you for sharing this wonderful experience with us ♥️

[@maidbloke]

Liking the new identity 👍

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you!

[@mattlambert1890]

I had the pleasure of helping start that exact aircraft at RAF Church Fenton almost 10 years ago now.

[@AlbaSkies]

Fantastic video Jon, look forward to the rest of the series. Certainly an intimidating beast that Harvard, certainly seems to want to lurch around even on the taxi, well handled!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks for the comment, and I'm glad you liked the episode. It's a tailwheel init! Lots of fun!

[@Warbird-Aviation]

Great Video!!!

[@craigpennington1251]

Very nice Harvard. Thanks for posting.

[@leviercosmicwind]

I am really enjoying these taildragger training videos. Highly impressed with the instructor, anticipating everything and making it a fun experience. I think there will be quite a queue wanting a go! Great to see proper training.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Glad you enjoyed the episode. Nigel will be happy with your feedback.

[@morgidvmw0mdv]

I had a model flying friend who was a training officer in the RAF during the war. He trained pilot's in the Harvad.. He and a student were involved in a mid air when another Harvad came up underneath him,. The result of the mid-air was the pilot of the aircraft that collided with them was decapitated by Raymond propeller. Raymond had to kill his engine as the damaged prop was out of balance. He told his student to bail out but Raymond was going to try and land the Harvard. The student said he would rather stay with the plane. When it came time to set the flaps, Raymond suddenly thought "I hope I haven't lost one of the flaps, If we have that will be the end of it " Luckily, the flaps were all there. and he managed to land OK.

[@MrJpbmusic2005]

The "Harvard" and the Boeing Stearman two of my favourite Aircraft.... that radial Sound ..so distinctive 🛩️🛩️🛩️

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I agree...lovely machine music.

[@KOTNBB]

Great vid TFR. Reminds me of learning to fly the Yak, although the Harvard looks harder. Looking forward to the rest of the series

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I probably make it look harder than it needs to be.

[@KOTNBB]

@@TheFlyingReporter :D

[@jamesb777driver]

Simply wonderful

[@BenLovegrove]

I've had two Harvard flights (Shoreham and Goodwood). I loved the whole experience. Just cruising along the south coast you can imagine just for a moment what it was like 75 years ago.

[@angelreading5098]

Wonderful ! the video really brings it home that this is a pilot maker,made for Uncle Sam to train his pilots ready for faster and heavier machines,loved every minute of it,great instructor the best.

[@bearpilotuk]

Great landing 😊👏👍

[@TristamMayes]

This was a brilliant episode can’t wait for the next one.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Tristam.

[@james5353]

Great vid, loved Wellum’s account of training on this aircraft. He talks a lot about the high wing loading and nasty stall

[@WillOstrick]

Great video mate, really well done 👍

[@FlyingJournalism]

Yes his cinematography is awesome

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks will.

[@JodelFlyer]

Very nice video Jon. The Harvard looks like fun. I liked the new graphics as well, excellent!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Tim. Hope you're keeping well over there at Nayland.

[@kevchilton908]

Well done Jon, it looked a beautiful landing to me! What a fantastic machine. See you in the next vid 👌👏

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you Kevin.

[@darrenhillman8396]

Superb! Great to see you enjoying a different aircraft! Like the new titles as well - very slick! Best wishes from the Wirral.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thank you Darren.

[@SeanDuffyProductions]

Brilliant video, what a beast of a machine! Loved the angle you got of the ground handling, fantastic footage. :D

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Sean.

[@RayM53]

Wonderful video, it made me recall that I had the pleasure of an hours dual with the splendid Sue Wilkins in one of CHAA's Harvards at Tillsonburg, Ontario back in 1990. A couple of rolls and some circuits & bumps and all for C$50! They have a mixture of Harvards and fixed gear Yales available to members plus running a Harvard formation team for airshows You can visit their website at "Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association." Sue's father, Bob Spence, restored and flew his own Fairey Swordfish, the only one outside the UK.

[@shawnwylie1]

Hi Ray, I've just recently stepped down after serving 8 yrs as the Crew Chief for CHAA and just wanted to add to your post. We now have 5 Harvards currently in airworthy condition. We do offer flights from a single ship up to a 4-ship formation as well as aerobatic flights. The price has risen since your flight in the 90's but flights can be arranged at www.harvards.com.

[@shahidsharif]

Bravo!

[@DanSmithBK]

Great to watch Jon - makes me think about trying it myself someday! Looking forward to the next episode ;-)

[@TheFlyingReporter]

You must, it's a great experience.

[@ranh71]

That looks like great fun Jon, can't wait to have a go!!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hope you enjoy it Robin.

[@ModelAV8RChannel]

Excellent Job. Greased that landing. Great video...thank you for sharing. Here in the States a lot of schools that offer this type rating put you in a Stearman first before the T-6/Harvard. Just goes to show you my instructor was right...he told me if you can handle a Cub you can fly anything. There are caveats of course, but thats basically true. Funny story... the first time I tried taxiing a J-3 he asked me "You see that ditch over there?" I said I did and he said "Good, because this thing is gonna try its best to sling your ass into it"... "Stay busy with those feet" I got no breaks from him...figures...he's my brother...Lol.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks for watching!

[@justadroid]

Well done! How exciting!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks!

[@willjeffery2661]

Very nicely done John 👍🏻

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Will.

[@blues-extrarockband]

Brilliant - must give this a go!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

you must!

[@christopherwilson6527]

I had a flight in one and not 20 seconds into me taxiing, we were headed for a fence lol! Big respect to those instructors that fly them daily

[@TheFlyingReporter]

20 seconds...like me LOL

[@theflyingfrog]

Go for it Jon !

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks pal!

[@brentsummers7377]

Very good video thanks! For the guys in WW2 going from the Tiger Moth to Harvard must have been a huge step as well.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I imagine so, and they would have been very young.

[@MrHiboost95]

Yes but the tiger moth was wonderful to fly and own. Especially when it came to fuel costs. All we had to do is run up to the local gas station with some fuel jugs. And that old bird would run on good old unleaded fuel at the gas pump! On the other hand the AT-6 Harvard Mk-II that we owned back in the 1980's. That's before the Spanish Air Force flood at the US market. And dropped the value of the AT-6's. Would burn around 30 gallons 100 Octane of AV Gas per hour at Cruise.

[@garydell2023]

Good job Jon. Harvard is similar to a North American AT-6 BC series. Got to ride in one years ago. No attempt to fly it. Look forward to more of this.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Next video is in post...

[@JoeRichardson02]

Awesome stuff, lots to manage there!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Glad you enjoyed it Joe.

[@-DC-]

Well done Sir that did look quite the handful 🙂.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks for watching!

[@FlyUK]

What a beauty of an aircraft. I’ve only had 30 minutes in a T6 a couple of years ago. Really want to get some more airtime. Watching the video now 😊

[@FlyUK]

Wow what a great first landing! I came in high, due to the speed differences between the PA28 and Harvard. And a lot to take on board with the actuator and engine settings. Look forward to the next video !

[@TheFlyingReporter]

It was a fluke...wait until you see the next videos!

[@FlyUK]

@@TheFlyingReporter I’m not having that lol 😂 I will wait and see though. What’s your plans after the rating, are you able to now hire it ?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Nah...in fact, the training hasn't finished yet. But the insurance won't allow someone with such low hours as me to fly it solo.

[@FlyUK]

@@TheFlyingReporter I suppose it makes sense. Hopefully something you can build up to in the future

[@frostyupnorth]

Brilliant video. She's a handful isn't she.

[@FlyingJournalism]

I just discovered your channel.. where have you been all this time!👍👍

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I've been here, but it's a slow slog getting known!

[@classicraceruk1337]

Always the way one good landing several messy ones!!! Then luckily it normally reverses.

[@TheFlyingReporter]

If only!!!!!

[@classicraceruk1337]

@@TheFlyingReporter You will crack it!!

[@alexaviation8107]

Love the new logo! I'd love to fly the Harvard. Do members get access to more videos or just full length flights? Thanks, Alex

[@TheFlyingReporter]

There are bonus video Alex, such as the Harvard full start up. You can see the range of material here www.jonhunt.net/category/earlybird/

[@mothmagic1]

Tailwheels remind you that feet are not just for walking on.

[@electeng6481]

05:25 Just listen 🎵🎵🎵🎼

[@oldglory1944]

No mention of using AILERONS adverse yaw, to assist with directional control ? ● RULE: AILERONS PROPORTIONALY & OPPOSITE the needed rudder.

[@jamese2238]

This is great, do you have the contact details of the club/instructor? Would love to do this!

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Their website is here. The instructor is Nigel. Please tell them you saw them on the flying reporter KZbin channel. www.anglianwarbirds.co.uk/

[@stuartessex4535]

Lovely landing Jon, defo want to see the full loop the loop! Excuse my ignorance, but are all the controls duplicated in the back or are some only operated from the front?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Thanks Stuart. Most of the controls are duplicated, but I don't think the landing gear is, or the fuel wobble pump, or the emergency hydraullic hand pump, or the starter....

[@stuartessex4535]

@@TheFlyingReporter Thanks Jon, keep safe

[@kylejensen6317]

Wow. Fantastic. Are you doing a type rating or was this an experience flight?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I'm actually not sure if it has a type rating, per se. Someone will hopefully help me out there. Hoping to complete the training, but unlikely to ever fly one solo.

[@kylejensen6317]

@@TheFlyingReporter Amazing experience nonetheless. Dad flew Harvards in the SAAF. Hope to get up there one day, just got to get this degree out the way! Haha

[@MalcolmRuthven]

Several times the instructor said what I heard to be "push power". What does that mean?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

Hydraulic power.

[@MalcolmRuthven]

@@TheFlyingReporter Thanks!

[@isaacridge4493]

With G-BHOR, is she your own plane or do you have a share?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

I have a share.

[@isaacridge4493]

Ah ok. Just the way you said it in your new wheels video seemed like you brought it

[@TheFlyingReporter]

@@isaacridge4493 Which video was this? There's been plenty of to-ing and fro-ing over the last 18 months with my plans, so not sure where you're at.

[@flybe146]

Oh, that was truly wonderful Jon still love my Piper Cub more, but very well done mate! Would the BBC let you include some of this footage in a South East today program if you wanted it?

[@TheFlyingReporter]

If there was an editorial reason then, perhaps.

[@Bigtirepilot]

You lost me with the masks on. Bummer