This page last updated Tuesday, 19 August 2008
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Photo courtesy Michel Hell
2008 COPA Flight display and classified advertising
information
COPA moving
Our new address will be effective August 25.
71 Bank Street,
7th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1P 5N2
Our phone number will remain the same.
by Kevin Psutka
August 13th, 2008
The last chance to bring common sense to the ELT issue, and save our sector of aviation some $100 million, is now in place. It is up to each and every member to help effect change by responding by 23 October to the public consultation phase of the regulation enactment process.
Below you will find details of COPA’s response to the Canada Gazette release. The complete response, including a letter to Transport Canada and attached Word document containing the Gazette wording comments against statements made by Transport Canada can be found on our web site at http://non-members/body_files/Transport CanadaAug14.htm . For the official version of the Gazette, go to English http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2008/20080809/html/regle2-e.html or French http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2008/20080809/html/regle2-f.html. Please study these documents and then put into your own words why you do not support this regulation. Send your response to the Transport Canada contact contained in the Gazette. An email address was omitted from the Gazette but COPA has confirmed that email responses can be sent to services@tc.gc.ca. Your message salutation should be "To the Civil Aviation Regulatory Affairs Division". I also encourage you to copy your Member of Parliament. You can find out how to reach them at http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/house/PostalCode.asp.
Read more.....
Discount on SPOT Tracking Service Available for COPA Members
by Kevin Psutka
August 14, 2008
We have done some research on SPOT
www.findmespot.com as a tracking and alerting device. The current draft of the regulation will not permit SPOT as an alternative to an ELT but it has some significant advantages over an ELT that make up in many ways for ELTs’ shortfalls.When you purchase a SPOT (there are several dealers listed on the SPOT site) there is a requirement to purchase an annual subscription to various levels of service. The basic service (unlimited check-in, help and 911 messages) is $99.99 U.S. per year. There is an additional Track Progress service which provides a breadcrumb trail for your flights (see the SPOT website for an explanation). This is perhaps one of the most important features to have in addition to 911.
Normally, this service is an additional $49.99 per year but for COPA members it is free when the promotion code is entered during the activation process. To get your free promotion code ($49 U.S. value) simply contact COPA after you purchase your SPOT (email Cathy cstanton-gaudon@copanational.org or 613-236-4901 extension 100). She will record your name and membership number and then issue you a unique code.
Click here for details on how to subscribe to the service and get the COPA discount. The document also contains suggestions on how to use SPOT in your aircraft to ensure that you get check-in and tracking messages.
The relatively low acquisition cost and discounted annual fee are reasonable for the piece of mind that SPOT provides.
ELT update
By Kevin Psutka
July 25th, 2008
There are two sides to every story. The National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) is circulating a flyer extolling the virtues of 406 MHz ELTs.
The flyer compares these ELTs with the ones that will soon be obsolete (if Transport Canada proceeds with its draft revised regulation), PLBs and something they refer to as “Portable satellite devices,” which is a reference to the SPOT personal tracking device that COPA has reported on.
The chart tries to lead readers to conclude that 406 ELTs are far superior to other technologies. Unfortunately, this simplistic approach can mislead readers. If ELTs performed in the vast majority of accidents, most of the statements in the chart could be true. However, the fact is ELTs have a very poor performance record. For failed ELTs, many of the spaces would be filled with NO.
I would like to convey the other side of the story by commenting on each of the comparisons in the order that they are presented in the NSS chart.
Read more......
COPA to launch kids aviation program
John Quarterman
July 25th, 2008
The broad restart of American general aviation manufacturing following the passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act in 1994, (which limited aircraft manufacturers’ liability to 18 years re-established GA as a going concern.
Manufacturing of all sorts of general aviation aircraft commenced, most notably the reentry of Cessna single-engine aircraft and then the huge success of the Cirrus which confirmed the fact aircraft would be there to fly well into the future.
But even before the restart of the mass manufacturing of light aircraft, a problem was evident – the lack of young people interested in aviation.
Read more......
For the 2008 COPA Convention Highlights click here
2008 Neil Armstrong Scholarship winners
The winners of this year’s COPA Neil Armstrong Scholarships were announced July 12, at the COPA Convention in St. Thomas, Ontario.
Two of the recipients were on hand to personally receive their scholarships from Trekker Armstrong, COPA NJA Scholarship Chair, also known as number three son in the Armstrong family.
Read more.....
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COPA hires new V-P of operations COPA embauche un vice-président des opérations |
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Patrick Gilligan |
read more...... |
New Toronto VFR ops
The final copy of the new Nav Canada Toronto VFR Operations brochure for 2008 is now available. COPA helped in the development of this safety information and we are asking for your help to distribute the brochure to VFR pilots who may operate in the Toronto area.
Click here to download a copy of the brochure. The brochure and Terms of reference is also available to be downloaded from the internet at
http://tinyurl.com/4rokbe.
Florida Use-Tax Does Not Apply To Canadian Registered Aircraft
March 28th, 2008
COPA, working on behalf of its 18, 000 members has confirmed in telephone Discussions with the US State of Florida Department of Revenue that Canadians should have no concerns regarding the State of Florida Use Tax on Aircraft.
Mr. George “Tony” Hamm, the Chief Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Department of Revenue, stated to us that “generally speaking, absent a significant connection to the State of Florida, Canadian Registered Aircraft are not subject to the Florida Use Tax.” Mr Hamm went on further to explain that visiting aircraft owned by non-residents temporarily in this state for pleasure are not targeted, that fly-ins are not targeted, and that legislation is currently pending that, if enacted, will set forth a safe harbour exemption more clearly. “Our use tax enforcement activities are directed at Florida residents, owners of Florida real estate and owners or participants in Florida businesses,” Hamm said.
Mr Hamm made it plain that Canadians coming simply to enjoy the annual Sun & Fun Fly-in have nothing to fear from this tax.
COPA is awaiting written confirmation of the foregoing determination and position regarding Canadian Registered Aircraft not being subject to the Florida Use Tax, and we have been assured we will receive this confirmation in a few days. We will post any letter received from the Florida Department of Revenue in due course.
Banff and Jasper airstrips retained!
An important milestone was reached today in the effort to retain these two reliever airstrips. The Government of Canada recognized pilot safety comes first and therefore announced both Banff and Jasper airstrips will remain open for emergency and diversionary use.
In two separate press releases for Banff and Jasper the Honourable John Baird, Minister responsible for Parks Canada and
the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Mr. Myron Thompson, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, Mr. Rob Merrifield, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, and Mr. Brian Jean, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, announced that both airstrips will be relisted in the National Park Aircraft Access Regulations for emergency and diversionary use and, for Jasper, the airstrip will also be available for recreational use.“I am pleased that the government agrees with COPA’s long-standing position that decommissioning these airstrips would pose a significant flight safety hazard for pilots and their passengers as they navigate the major mountain passes with their unpredictable weather,” COPA President and CEO Kevin Psutka said. “These airstrips have special status and members should use them with care to ensure that any environmental impacts are minimized.”
As pointed out in the government press releases, there remains some work to do in order to ensure that the airstrips are in compliance with Transport Canada regulations. Pilots should check future editions of the Canada Flight Supplement for the official status but remember that they remain available now for emergency and diversionary use.
“To everyone who had a part in this success, from our Banff and Jasper team to the many members who took the time to express their views, thank you,” Psutka said.
Will you have a place to land tomorrow?
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Photo courtesy Eric Dumigan
Donate to the Special Action Fund today
Given the considerable challenges we continue to face against our freedom to fly, we urge everyone to consider donating to the Special Action Fund. We have all benefited significantly from those who donated before us. Now it is time to ensure that we continue to be able to protect your freedom as well as the freedom of those who will follow us. Click here for examples of how the Special Action Fund has been applied to date.
Click here for the Special Action Fund donation form
Click here to automatically donate to the Special Action Fund each month
XM Satellite weather on hold
March 12, 2008
By Kevin Psutka
In my column from March 2007, entitled "Who’s on First" (See
www.copanational.org/non-members/PresidentsColumn/Presmar07.htm), I explained why we did not yet have XM Satellite weather service available in Canada.Since that time, COPA has been encouraging the Canadian provider, XM Satellite Radio Canada to get the service released here. This effort culminated with a test launch of the service a few months ago, as reported in the
November COPA Flight.read more......
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The COPA Collection |
COPA is pleased to announce Aviation World has been chosen as the new supplier of Canadian Owners and Pilots Association logo merchandise. Please look for the following products still available at the same low 2007 prices continuing until current stock is gone. Stay tuned for exciting new COPA Collection items in 2008. To see the COPA Collection or the Aviation World site click here.
NavCan’s new daily charge to begin March 1
ed. The following reminder from Nav Canada refers to consultation with COPA but should not be construed as our agreement with its introduction. COPA strongly opposed this fee, including appealing to the Canadian Transportation Agency, who consequently upheld the fee.
See the background to this issue in the President’s Column from September 2006 www.copanational.org/non-members/PresidentsColumn/PresSep06_E.htm.
The reminder also refers to the
new fee that is aimed at all small.............
read more.........
Nav Canada: le nouveau frais débute le 1er mars
Note de l’éditeur : Le présent rappel de Nav Canada fait référence à la consultation avec la COPA mais ne devrait pas être interprété comme notre accord envers cet introduction. La COPA a fortement opposé ce frais, allant même en appel devant l’Office des transports du Canada, qui a par la suite retenu le frais.
Consultez les détails de cette question dans la Colonne du Président de septembre 2006 à l’adresse internet suivante : www.copanational.org/non-members/PresidentsColumn/PresSep06_E.htm.
Le rappel fait aussi référence au
nouveau frais qui vise les ..............
lire plus.......
Mexican Consul Announces Private Flight Restrictions
The
Mexican Ministry of Transportation through the Mexican Consul to Canada, has
asked us to inform all Canadian that private aircraft flights originating in
Latin America and the Caribbean must use the airports of Cozumel or Tapachula as
their Point of Entry to Mexico. The restriction has been in effect since
Jan 31st, 2008, 1800 hours Central time and...........
read more......
New requirement for private aircraft arriving, departing U.S. - Update
By Kevin Psutka
New US CBP Proposed Electronic Manifest Requirement for US Border Crossing
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is fast-tracking a proposed Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, that all general aviation aircraft operators, including Canadian private aircraft, electronically submit (via Internet) advanced notice and a passenger manifest before entering or leaving the United States.
The only method for notification is proposed to be the CBP's electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS), which is currently used by the airlines and charter operators.
Also, private aircraft would not be permitted to enter or leave until confirmation or approval is received by the pilot, no later than 60 minutes........
read more ............
COPA Establishes Days-Inn Member Rate
Good News COPA Members . COPA has set up a Days Inn National Corporate Account
for COPA staff and members at a discount of 5% below the Best Available Rate at
any one of the 90 Days Inn locations across Canada. Reservations can be made
only by calling 1-800-DAYS INN or by booking online at
www.daysinn.ca. When making a booking quote
the COPA corporate code of 50418, you will need to supply this number in order
to receive the COPA rate. .
The COPA Day Inn corporate Rate is effective immediately. Enjoy your trip!
*Please note that this discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other
promotion or special rate.
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COPA e-NewsFlash Goes On Line
For many years COPA has produced an electronic newsletter that comes out at the middle of each month called the COPA e-NewsFlash. In the past these have been solely distributed to an e-mail list, made up mostly of the contact people for the COPA Flights. From there they get forwarded to many more people.
To make the e-Newsflash even more accessible, including back issues they are now available on the COPA website.
AOPA Pilot subscription deal for COPA members
COPA and AOPA have once again teamed together to provide a great member benefit
for COPA members.
For many years COPA and AOPA offered subscriptions to AOPA Pilot magazine,
access to the AOPA members only section of the AOPA website and pilot assistance
services for $58 (Cdn) per year. Now the same package is available for $35
(U.S.)
This improved program also includes faster service – subscriptions are now only
arranged by contacting AOPA directly at 1-800-872-2672 and quoting your COPA
membership number.
You will receive 12 issues of AOPA Pilot, a special pass code to allow you
access to the AOPA “members only” website and access to pilot assistance for
flying in the USA.
This special offer is only open to COPA members who are Canadian residents.
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