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COPA to launch kids aviation program 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. The Young Eagles program is an EAA program designed to increase the participation of young people in aviation. This program was conceived and launched in 1992 to once again put young people in the air with the stated aim of flying a million kids. Although primarily a USA program for EAA members, the program was made open to all pilots and became popular with pilots from every other association in the USA and many pilots around the world. COPA has been involved in the EAA Young Eagles Program since its inception in 1992. COPA has been the largest contributor to Young Eagles outside of the EAA and given this status, was the only organization allowed to continue participation in the program after EAA otherwise restricted participation in the program to EAA members in early 2007. Notwithstanding COPA’s privileged role and status in the program, following a review of EAA’s insurance in early 2007 COPA agreed to a request from the EAA to provide additional insurance to cover liability for aircraft accidents. The additional insurance premium for COPA was significant but justified because not only did it permit us to continue as a partner in this important program, but we also enhanced COPA’s liability protection for other COPA events that may experience an aircraft accident. COPA was able to continue an informal but sanctioned participation in the Young Eagles program using the tried and tested COPA Flights event model of organized events involving mass airlifts of dozens of kids flown by several pilots. In early 2008 EAA again contacted COPA and explained their need to put the program affiliation with COPA on a formal basis, and to have the liability insurance carried by COPA extended to the EAA by naming it as insured. COPA continued to authorize Flights to conduct Young Eagles events on a temporary basis while an agreement and appropriate insurance coverage was negotiated. Despite good intentions on both sides, eventually it was necessary on June 1, 2008 for COPA to suspend Young Eagles operations due to liability concerns and lack of common ground on several liability clauses in the draft agreement. Also, because of the wording in COPA’s existing liability policy, which only addressed Young Eagles flying, we had to suspend all organized flying of young people until the policy wording could be revised. Following this suspension both organizations tried to resolve the liability issues but reluctantly agreed on June 2, 2008 that a complementary and similar, but separate COPA program was necessary to avoid the liability issues. COPA For Kids Aviation Program Based on the Young Eagles model, this new program is designed and managed only by COPA. We understand how important the flying of young people is to many of our Flights, so we are working hard to start the new program as soon as possible. The release of the new program guide, pamphlet and certificate are pending legal review. Stay tuned to our website and newspaper for the launch of the COPA For Kids Program. Fly 2,009 kids by December 2009 in celebration of Canada’s 100th Anniversary of Powered Flight. We anticipate a positive and strong response from our Flights to the program, as the vast majority of members who have expressed an opinion have commented that it is high time for a Canadian-made young person flying program. So get ready to start flying and be part of COPA’s proud new adventure, the COPA For Kids Aviation Program. Background information: |
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