Harv's Air - Flight of your Life

The Following testimonial was written by Alvin Derksen for the Carillon News July 28, 1997

TOYS FOR FLY BOYS!

Flying is for the birds, right? Not so according to Harv Penner of Harv’s Air Service in Steinbach. After 25 years in the air charter and flight training business, Harv still loves to fly. In fact, Harv’s love for flight was intensified recently when he managed to acquire a new "toy."

The "toy" is a 1983 Pitts S2B biplane. The 1,200-lb. Aircraft is equipped with a 540 cubic inch Lycoming engine. The six cylinder engine produced 260 horsepower.

Combined with a two blade variable pitch propeller, this little beauty cruises at 170 mph. The aircraft is built to perform aerobatic maneuvers and withstand a G-force of six. (This means that if you weigh 100 lbs. Normally, you would weigh 600 lbs. at six Gs.)

I'm what you could call an "airplane ride junkie," so when I first saw the Pitts S2B in Harv’s hangar, I knew that someday, I would ride in that baby. Well, a few weeks ago, the opportunity presented itself! I needed only one invitation, and the answer was yes!

In order to better illustrate this story to our readers, it was agreed that first I should take a picture of the Pitts S2B in flight. This was accomplished by having Adam, (Harv’s son) fly beside his father in a Cessna 172. In order for the two aircraft to fly in formation, the Cessna, (the plane I was in) had to fly at maximum throttle, while the Pitts merely idled along.

From the passenger seat, through the open window, I managed to click off a number of shots of Harv flying in normal (and not so normal) flight positions.

With the picture-taking flight behind us, it was time for me to experience a thrill of a lifetime. Getting into this plane almost requires the use of a shoe horn. It’s a really snug fit. You sit in the front seat, (Harv flies it from the back). Harv makes sure you are tightly belted into position using a five-point safety harness.

Immediately in front of you is an array of instruments including an air speed indicator and a G-force meter. The interior of the craft is devoid of fancy trim, (It’s all business in this plane). The Pitts requires a very short runway for take-off. After the wheels lose contact with the ground, you ascend at a very rapid rate. When an altitude of 4,000-5,000 feed is reached, it’s time to "Rock ‘n’ Roll."

I should inform you that Harv is a very cautious pilot. With over 20,000 hours of flying time, he’s the pilot you would want in control. Asked if I wanted to experience a number of aerobatic maneuvers, I nodded yes. (Communication is also done via headsets).

Harv performed a number of stunts, including a loop, and inverted flight. (It’s a weird feeling being upside down. You look up and you see Steinbach; you look down, you see sky!).

Throughout the entire exercise, Harv speaks in a normal tone of voice. It’s comforting to know that he is in complete control on the craft. The time to land comes quickly and then the ride is over. Given the chance to go for a ride again, I would take it in a second.

When I initially asked Harv why he had bought this exotic airplane, he said: "Three reasons: fun, aerobatic training for experienced pilots and giving thrill rides."