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Category Archives: Important notice

Notice of Annual General Meeting

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Notice is hereby given for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the members of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association. This year’s AGM will be held on June 27, 2020 at 14:00 EDT via video conference.

Full details on how to log in and cast your vote online will be published on our website before the AGM so all members who wish to participate may do so.

Register in advance to confirm your attendance and later receive the links to participate and vote.

Our AGM serves the following purposes:

  1. To receive the financial statements of the Association, Freedom to Fly Fund (Special Action Fund) and Flight Safety Foundation for the period ended December 31, 2019 These documents can be viewed online after May 25, 2020;
  2. To receive the reports of the Directors;
  3. To appoint auditors and authorize the Directors to fix their remuneration;
  4. To transact such further business as may properly be brought before the meeting, or any adjournment thereof.

By order of the Board of Directors
Dated this 11th day of May 2020
[signed] Jim Bell, Secretary

COPA’S Gervais Leaving Post this Summer

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The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) announced through its interim chairman of the board, Bill Mahoney, that the organization’s president and CEO Bernard Gervais will be leaving the organization in the summer.

Gervais recently informed the COPA Board of his desire to leave his leadership position after serving as its head for five years.

With two key events just months away, COPA’s Annual General Meeting and Convention planned for Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu from June 25 to 27, and the biennial International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA) World Assembly in Montreal from June 29 to July 3, both the Board and Gervais mutually agreed that he would serve until after those two events in order to ensure their successful planning and execution.

“Over the last five years, Bernard has worked relentlessly to help General Aviation across Canada and, under his leadership, COPA developed and strengthened the necessary relationships with organizations all across the country and with our major stakeholders including Transport Canada, Nav Canada, AOPA and IAOPA, always in line with our mission of advancing, promoting and preserving our freedom to fly,” said Mahoney in a statement. “We are proud of our accomplishments over those five years and we wish Bernard all the best in his future endeavors.”

COPA is currently seeking a replacement in order to provide for an overlap and ensure a smooth transition for his replacement. Please see the job description here.

Help COPA Influence ADS-B OUT Equipage Requirements

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COPA Alberta and N.W.T. Director Bram Tilroe is requesting the help of members who own or operate aircraft equipped with ADS-B OUT installations. Tilroe, who also serves on the Nav Canada Advisory Committee in his capacity as vice-chair of the Alberta Aviation Council, has been working with Nav Canada in the development of recommendations to Transport Canada on ADS-B equipment issues.

Tilroe reports that some within Transport Canada advocate for antenna diversity (meaning the installation of antennas both above and below the fuselage), while others are advocating for the installation of bottom-mounted antennas only. If an aircraft is Mode S transponder-equipped (1090 MHz), that’s where the antenna is already mounted, and that’s where the ADS-B OUT signal is routed through. Requiring a top-mounted antenna will add extra cost despite there being no evidence demonstrating that it is required for a data link to be established in light aircraft.

Tilroe is working to prepare evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of bottom-mounted-only antennas. If your aircraft is equipped as described, and have flown anywhere in Canada within the past 90 days, Tilroe wants to hear from you. Nav Canada already has the technology to see your flight track using their surveillance systems, and Tilroe wants to prove to them that a top-mounted antenna is not required.

Do you fit the bill? If so, please fill out and submit the form below. With the information that you supply, Nav Canada Engineering will determine whether the data quality meets their required standards.

Toronto Pearson Swallows More Buttonville Airspace

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Nav Canada has announced they will lower the ceiling of the Buttonville (YKZ) ceiling to 2000 feet ASL (1350 feet AGL) from the current 2500 feet ASL. Additionally, they will expand Toronto’s (YYZ) terminal control area (TCA) to encompass most of Buttonville’s class D control zone (see illustration). According to Nav Canada, these measures were taken “To enhance the management of aircraft when [YYZ’s] runways 23 and 23R are in use”. Changes take effect Sept. 13.

This follows on recent threats by the airport’s private owners to shut down the airport this year and develop the lands for commercial and residential use. However, the closing of the airport has been postponed until at least 2023 due to bureaucratic delays involving land rezoning and related issues. Nav Canada had also planned to close YKZ’s tower in July of this year but it too has delayed the closure pending more clarity on the airport’s official closing date. In the meantime, they have reduced the tower’s operating hours from 08:00-23:00 to 08:00-20:00.

Buttonville Flying Club (COPA Flight 44) member Phil Lightstone acknowledges Nav Canada’s position that the airspace grab will enhance safety, but points out, “There will remain only 350 feet between circuit height and the new TCA floor, so pilots will need good radio and communications skills to coordinate their movements with the differing controlling authorities”.

Lightstone points out that for many, Buttonville’s proximity to Highway 404 makes it a much more convenient airport. “It’s been a bit of a roller coaster with airport businesses, flight schools and aircraft leaving for other nearby airports but then returning when closing dates have been pushed down the road”.

Marine Park Airspace Restrictions Changed

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The official creation of the Scott Islands Protected Marine Area (PMA) concluded recently with the publishing in the Canada Gazette II of the Scott Islands Protected Marine Area Regulations, instituted under the Canada Wildlife Act. COPA has been following this file for some time as the proposal from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) purported to create a protected area of significant size around the Scott Islands, located off Vancouver Island’s northwest tip. What was most concerning to COPA at the time was not just the sheer size of the protected area (approx. 11,000 km2), but the fact that ECCC was attempting to use its authority under the Canada Wildlife Act to regulate airspace – something that is solely the discretion of the Minister of Transport, under the Aeronautics Act.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”18389″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Last July, COPA brought this subject to light and encouraged our members to take action. We are very pleased to report that the dozens of letters you wrote on this, in addition to COPA’s own advocacy work with both Transport Canada and ECCC, have resulted in a final restricted area that is significantly reduced in size from the original proposal and will have a significantly reduced impact on aircraft operations in the area. In a letter to the Ministers of Environment, Transport and the President of the Treasury Board, COPA outlined that the proposed area covered would, “…significantly hamper the safe conduct of flights in the area, particularly in times of inclement weather…” where aircraft would have to fly inland over high, rugged terrain, or far out to sea to avoid the area.

We also raised questions about the consultation process ECCC claimed it had done, as there had never been any formal consultation with airspace users, which is normally done through Transport Canada’s usual channels, such as CARAC. While we never got responses to our letters, they clearly heard us as our efforts are specifically referenced in the final Canada Gazette regulations: “[COPA has] expressed concerns regarding the possible impacts of the proposed flight restriction to aviation. The association requested that a proposal for the flight restriction be developed in consideration of both safety and conservation.”

As shown in the map above, the overall size of the Scott Islands Marine Protected area remains large, however the portion restricting aircraft operations has been significantly pared down and, in our opinion, strikes an appropriate balance between the government’s desire to preserve the park and the aviation needs for safety in such a remote and often challenging corner of the country.

This being said, we continue to press Transport Canada as, while the Flight Restriction Zone is supposedly off limits to aircraft below 3,500 ft, the area does not appear on any charts, NOTAMs or in the Designated Airspace Handbook (DAH) and so we caution pilots to avoid the area for now, where possible. It also remains unclear as to who would conduct any potential enforcement as the restricted airspace has not been so designated in accordance with the provisions of the Aeronautics Act.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Post Your Classified Ads Online

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COPA’s new online Canadian Plane Trade classified advertising site is up and running and members have embraced the site as their new platform for buying and selling aviation-related items. To place an ad, participants need only set up an account (a painless one-time process), choose from one of four advertising packages and then submit their photos and text. Please use high resolution photos because in addition to appearing on the Web site, the ad will be placed in the popular print version of Canadian Plane Trade in COPA Flight magazine.

Ads will appear online for 30 days and once in the next issue of the print magazine. The prices are very competitive with the U.S.-based Web sites and publications that operate in Canada and they reach a highly targeted audience of active pilots and industry leaders.

As is normal with complex roll-outs like this, there have been a few problems reported in placing ads. If you run into a problem email russ@copaflight.ca to report it.

Renew Membership and Win

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For a limited time we’re offering past COPA members a chance to win one of five VIP Pilot gift cards, a value of up to $850, simply for renewing their membership.

Not only will you be part of the largest aviation association in Canada, by signing up, you’re helping Advance, Promote and Preserve the Canadian Freedom to Fly.

Hurry! The June 16th deadline is fast approaching. Sign up here.

COPA and ACPA Unveil 2018 Aviation Career and Scholarship Guide

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Today, the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) and the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) unveiled the 2018 Aviation Career and Scholarship Guide, a one-stop resource aimed at promoting and facilitating new entries into the Canadian aviation industry. The Guide includes a directory of financial resources available to help fund the training necessary for those interested in entering the industry, as well as a variety of career education articles and other insights.

Over the next few weeks, the Guide will be distributed to high schools, colleges and universities across Canada as well as flight schools, flying clubs, and other aviation-related organizations. Extra copies of the Guide are available upon request.

“As the voice for General Aviation, COPA has been a key player in helping to shape the future of Canadian aviation at every level,” said Bernard Gervais, President and CEO. “Through this Guide, we are connecting future industry members with the resources they need to jumpstart their career. We all have a role to play in Canada’s robust aviation industry, and it starts here with enabling the next generation of Canadian pilots.”

“We at the Air Canada Pilots Association are pleased to work with COPA to provide aspiring pilots with a roadmap to help launch their careers,” said Captain Matt Hogan, MEC Chair. “It is a great time to be a pilot and our Association is proud to be a leader in advancing the profession at home and abroad.”

About COPA:

COPA is the national voice for General Aviation pilots and aircraft owners in Canada. With over 16,000 members in every province and territory, COPA is Canada’s largest aviation association. Through the mission of advancing, promoting, and preserving the Canadian freedom to fly, COPA is at the forefront on issues that affect pilots, aircraft and airports in communities across Canada and is an active partner with all levels of government in ensuring a bright future for General Aviation. For more information, visit copanational.org.

About ACPA:

The Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA) represents more than 3,700 airline pilots who fly millions of passengers across Canada and around the world on Air Canada and Air Canada rouge. For more information, visit www.acpa.ca.

The Air Canada Pilots Association is a proud member of the Safer Skies Coalition of 9,000 pilots in Canada who are advocating for stronger fatigue rules for greater safety. For more information, visit www.saferskies.ca.

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Media Contacts:

Carter Mann

Director of Government Affairs and Communications

COPA

613-236-4901×112

cmann@copanational.org

 Christopher Praught

Manager of Communications

ACPA

905-678-9008 ext. 4010

cpraught@acpa.ca

 

Career_Guide_2018_FINAL_WEB

COPA Membership Survey – Enter to Win!

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Member Survey – Flight Data Recording.

Have a chance to win $100 VIP Pilot gift certificate – respond before Friday June 1st.

As part of COPA’s continuing participation in the General Aviation Safety Campaign, we are exploring ways pilots are using new technologies to record, track, and analyse their flights. Recently, the subject of flight data recording has been under scrutiny following several high-profile accidents where little to no data was available to investigators after the crash. The TSB has made recommendations to Transport Canada that the existing requirements for Flight Data Recording devices be expanded to include smaller aircraft in commercial operation. TC is going a little further and wants to look at all aircraft, no matter the type of operation. COPA is committed to ensuring that costly and onerous requirements of uncertain efficiency, not to find their way into the GA world, but to do that we need your help.

We know that even the most basic mobile apps and other technologies in use by pilots have some level of built-in functionality to record certain parameters, and we also know that many pilots use these features to analyze and review their flights for self-improvement. The data collected through this survey will assist us in capturing a snapshot of where the GA industry currently is in terms of voluntary adoption of these technologies and will hopefully allow us to show the regulator that Canadian GA pilots are ahead of the game when it comes to the voluntary use of smart safety technologies.

Responses are, of course, confidential and only aggregate data will be shared with Transport Canada. But to have a chance to win our $100 VIP Pilot gift certificate, we ask that you please leave us your membership number and email where applicable and do so before Friday, June 1st 2018.

We appreciate your assistance and cooperation in completing this short 11 question survey.

Access the survey by clicking here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NP7WWQ2