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Most Inspiring Instructor I’ve ever Flown with and he’s 90 years old!

April 8, 2022
Steve Thorne
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The Best Feel Good Aviation Story I’ve Ever Told! Flying with one of the World’s Oldest Active Pilots and Flight Instructors!

After arriving in Canada with Martin and Micke, ending our Atlantic Crossing Ferry Flight (episodes here: https://youtu.be/ctgzb2SDq4Y), 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: https://www.patreon.com/posts/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: https://flightchops.store/product/rons-book-a-pilots-stories/
*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: https://canadianaviationmuseum.ca/

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The Finer Points

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I’m a Private Pilot, doing my best to stay current and learn. I fly for fun and might just be the least cocky pilot on the internet! My self analysis videos can seem self deprecating at times, but I am trying to learn from the small mistakes to avoid making a big one; I’m happy to share and find it rewarding to help other pilots or aspiring aviators in any way that I can. How does the saying go? “Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards”. And in aviation, not all tests are survivable.

My virtual “ride-along” flying videos are aimed and sharing my experiences and giving back to the aviation community which has been so helpful to me. I shoot multi-camera angles, get detailed real time instrument panel shots, and have radio intercom audio. I respect people’s time, so I put a fair bit of work into editing to keep the videos concise and engaging; I add animations and further graphics and voice overs where needed to add context and explanations.

My hope is to continue to grow and evolve the “Flight Chops” project with input and support from the aviation community!


Steve Thorne, aka "Flight Chops"

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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 the 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.

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