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Category Archives: Important notice

NAVAID Modernization Feedback Needed

Nav Canada recently released their aeronautical study pertaining to the planned NAVAID Modernization Project. The aeronautical study is available to all for review on the COPA website (copanational.org). This project proposes to decommission most non-directional beacons (NDB) and very high frequency (VHF) omni-directional ranges (VOR) across the country in favour of a satellite-based navigation system. This proposed system has been under discussion for some time and COPA has held numerous meetings and discussions, both with TCCA and with Nav Canada, on the subject. In the process, Nav Canada has maintained that they have led an extensive consultation with all stakeholders across the country, a claim that COPA does not support based on the information we have gathered. Nonetheless, the study presents a compendium of the feedback Nav Canada received from some customers. Note that the Study does reflect some of the concerns that COPA voiced to Nav Canada, and includes the results of their consultation process, as well as their responses and mitigations.

We would greatly appreciate your reviewing this document, including your aviator colleagues, and giving us your feedback on the impact of this project on small GA aircraft operations, as you perceive it. We recognize that this is a complex document and we are happy to offer some guidance with respect to it.

Main Content of the Aeronautical Study

  1. Section 3 – Consultation: the comments from various industry stakeholders and Nav Canada’s reply and mitigation to these issues. Note that most of the issues in this section are more relevant to commercial operators, but several are relevant to small GA aircraft, particularly in IFR operations;
  2. Section 3 – Risk Analysis: note that this paragraph does not identify any risk or hazard. We recommend that you review appendices A and D as referred to in that paragraph;
  3. Section 3 – Mitigation: we recommend that you review the relevant appendices referred to in this paragraph;
  4. The various other appendices of the study identify the NAVAIDS that will be decommissioned and the proposed mitigation to be implemented, indexed per FIRs; 
  5. The operational characteristics of this GNSS-based ANS will not provide complete radar coverage below 10,000 feet. 
  6. The possibility of a prolonged GNSS outage is briefly discussed in different paragraphs, including the proposed mitigations.
  7. In the event of a prolonged GNSS outage, small GA aircraft below 10,000 feet will be forced to navigate by dead reckoning. When in IMC, the pilot will have to climb to 10,000 feet for proper coverage, or dead-reckon to a recovery site, which could become a serious issue in either case.

COPA’s Preliminary Position

Considering the logistics and financial aspects of maintaining and/or replacing Canada’s aging ground-based Air Navigation System, we understand Nav Canada’s vision in making the best use of available resources, including maximizing the use of satellite-based navigation.

Consequently, COPA believes that the Nav Canada vision of moving to a GNSS-based ANS system is sensible, practical and efficient. This position is further supported by the fact that an increasing number of small GA aircraft are equipped with certified GNSS navigators, and this tendency keeps growing. 

COPA also perceives a very serious issue: that of potential a prolonged GNSS outage. In this situation, any small GA aircraft flying in IMC below 10,000 feet, which is the case of all small aircraft, will face an issue of significant importance.

Review and Feedback

We request that you review this Aeronautical Study, including as many fellow aviators in your area. We suggest that your review should focus on the following points:

  • Review, discuss, and understand the Executive Summary and the Background information on pages two and three of the document;
  • Review, discuss, and understand the aspects of Section 3 listed in item 1 (more specifically pages eight and nine of the document), as well as items 2 and 3 in the Main Content paragraph above;
  • Analyze item 4 for its impact in your area;
  • Determine how many of your fellow aviators actually fly IFR in IMC, and the impact items 5, 6 and 7 will have on their ability to continue to operate IFR in IMC during GNSS outages.

We would appreciate receiving feedback sent to this office (operations@copanational.org) by May 31, 2018 to enable some discussion at the COPA Convention on June 21-23, 2018. Your feedback and our discussions will contribute to finalizing our COPA position for submission to Nav Canada and TCCA.

Participate in Aviation Research

The Advanced Cognitive Engineering (ACE) Laboratory at Carleton University is looking for participants for their latest General Aviation Study.  For over a decade, researchers at the ACE Lab have been studying aspects of risk reduction for general aviation pilots, using flight simulation.  The current study is an exciting expansion of this work, as it will look at the impact of using electronic navigational aids in VFR flight. The experienced technical team at the ACE Lab has developed a method for flying with “GPS” while in a simulator. This technology will permit participants to “fly” with many features of a navigational app.

In line with the ACE Lab’s focus on cognition, such as memory, situational awareness, task management etc., participants will have the opportunity to try two cognitive health tests designed for aviators.  Previous participants have remarked on the value of reflecting on their situational awareness and memory in novel scenarios.  This study should offer some challenging situations as pilots are asked to fly a custom search & rescue training exercise in a realistic full-scale Cessna 172 simulator (see image).

This study also introduces the latest technology in “real-time” detection of pilot mental workload.  Participants will wear a lightweight wireless EEG headset and a wristband with sensors that are designed to pick up on signs of increasing levels of workload.  If you enjoy learning about modern technology for aviators and have a passion for safety in general aviation, then you may be the ideal participant for this study.  To be eligible, pilots must have a current pilot’s license/permit (aeroplane) and medical certification, be 18 years or older, and have flown at least once in the past 24 months (as pilot-in-command).  Researchers tell COPA they hope that female pilots will also be encouraged to register for the study.  Let’s make sure that aviation science reflects all pilots!

By participating in this study, you will help researchers develop tools to keep pilots flying for as long as safely possible.  As Carleton University in located in Ottawa, most past participants at this point came from Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec.  However, to broaden the research base, plans include eventually taking the equipment “on the road” across Canada.

COPA strongly supports this initiative and does not perceive it as a threat to the aging pilot but much rather as a potential major contributor to enabling pilots to fly longer in enhanced safety. COPA personnel who meet the requirements are participating in the study.

The ACE Lab studies in general aviation are directed by Dr. Chris Herdman and Dr. Kathleen Van Benthem.  More information about the research of the ACE Lab at Carleton University can be found at https://carleton.ca/ace/ and in these videos, http://smartpilot.ca/en-US/home/143-airmanship/airmanship-features/890-the-aging-pilot  (produced by the Search and Rescue New Initiative Fund (SAR NIF)).  COPA invites the reader to visit these two links: highly interesting and impressive. The ACE Lab general aviation studies are not financially or otherwise supported by any regulatory agency or aviation enterprise.

Buttonville Open Until 2023

Buttonville Airport will continue operating until at least the spring of 2023 as its owners tackle the daunting tasks involved with rezoning it for development. The Sifton family has owned the airport for decades and in 2011 partnered with developer Cadillac Fairview to create a mix of commercial and residential development on the property. But the wheels move slowly at City Hall for projects of the scope proposed by the partners and they issued a news release on Friday saying it will take at least five years to sort it all out.

“Due to significant delays in reaching an appropriate rezoning, CF, Armadale and Torontair have extended the timeline for airport operations to continue for up to five years, into spring 2023,” the companies said. “The outlook for extensions beyond this date will be dictated by progress on approvals.” Many businesses have already left Buttonville in anticipation of its closure but the extension will be welcomed by the many private aircraft owners who keep their aircraft there.

TCCA Certification Email Changes

Effective June 4, 2018, National Aircraft Certification will be using a different e-mail address to distribute Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and Civil Aviation Safety Alerts (CASAs) related to your aircraft:

Email Name: National Aircraft Certification – Distribution / Certification nationale des aéronefs – distribution (TC)

Email Address: TC.DoNotReplyNAC-NepasrepondreCNA.TC@tc.gc.ca

Important: To be sure you receive all publications, we recommend you save the above noted e-mail address in your contact list and make appropriate adjustments to your SPAM protection

This new e-mail box cannot accept incoming e-mails.You will find below, e-mail addresses to be used for various situations:

·         tc.aair-raina.tc@tc.gc.ca : This address is for all questions/concerns related to the Annual Airworthiness Information Report (AAIR) program.

·         AD-CN@tc.gc.ca : This address is for all questions/concerns related to the content of an Airworthiness Directive.

·         TC.NACcommunications-CommunicationsCNA.TC@tc.gc.ca : This address is for all distribution questions/concerns including updating your e-mail address.

·         SDRS@tc.gc.ca : This address is for all questions/concerns related to the Service Difficulty Report (SDR) program including technical support with the online WSDRS system.

·         cawwebfeedback@tc.gc.ca : This address is for all other Continuing Airworthiness matters including CASAs and Feedback articles.

 

Foreflight Upgrades Need iOS 10.3

Foreflight customers using older Apple tablets and phones are being urged to upgrade soon to be able to get the latest versions of the popular flight planning app. The company announced earlier this month that Apple iOS 10.3 will become the minimum operating system requirement for new versions of the mobile app although the existing functions will keep working. “Essential features like chart downloads, documents, and data syncing will continue to work as they do now,” the company said in notice to customers.

The devices likely to be affected include iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad Mini 1 and iPhone 4S. “We’re planning to add many exciting new features to ForeFlight this year, so consider upgrading your iOS devices soon so you’re ready when they arrive,” the company said. It offers an iPad Buying Guide to help customers pick the device that will work best for them.

TCCA Announces GA ‘Targeted Inspections’

Transport Canada Civil Aviation’s (TCCA) first Aviation Safety Letter of 2018 is now available online and it’s of particular interest to COPA members. The ASL is a special edition devoted to general aviation as part of the General Aviation Safety Campaign announced at the 2017 COPA Convention and Trade Show in Kelowna last June. The document has seven feature stories, some provided by COPA, that cover a broad range of GA-related topics. There’s also an item that describes a new approach by TCCA inspectors in their quest to better understand the safety issues involving GA pilots.

Inspectors will fan out over the local airport ramps of the country and in addition to checking documents and certificates, will be asking questions about a variety of topics in an effort to broaden their understanding of GA operations. The so-called “targeted inspections” will be designed to gather information “to uncover why and how things are happening.” TCCA says the focus of the targeted inspections is to allow inspectors to gather information and learn but that doesn’t mean they won’t be doing their jobs. “While our goal is to motivate compliance through oral counselling, if a serious safety concern is identified it will be addressed as is appropriate to the situation. TCCA Inspectors’ first priority is always safety,” the safety letter story says. “Consider this as an opportunity to talk directly to TCCA and help inform the future of general aviation in Canada. Your experiences and insights are important to make the skies safer for everyone.”

COPA Co-Founder John Bogie Dies

COPA co-founder John Bogie died April 6 at the age of 91. Bogie was a towering figure in Canadian aviation and remained active with COPA until he became seriously ill in late 2017. The official obituary follows:

Born September 6, 1926 in Brooklyn, NY, son of late Florence R. Maclaren and Robert R. Bogie. He was predeceased by his wife Penelope Lindsay and Brother Robert (Bo) A. Bogie. He is  survived by his sons Iain and Craig (Alyson), his step daughter Martha Lindsay (Brandon), five grandchildren Duncan, Alexander, Kassandra, Christopher and Dylan. A US Navy aircrew veteran who because he was underage could not fly at the time, John commenced a lengthy pioneering career in Canadian aviation shortly after the war. In the early 1950’s he flew extensively for Laurentian Air Service and various mining exploration companies in Northern Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland/Labrador and elsewhere in Canada. In 1968 he purchased Laurentian Air Service Ltd from his uncle Barnet A. Maclaren Sr. and for the next 40 years continued to operate Laurentian and its affiliates (Air Schefferville, B.M. Aviation, Air Laurentian) in charter and scheduled flights, Delay /river Outfitters for fishing and hunting expeditions in Northern Quebec, aircraft maintenance and refurbishing many US military Dehavilland Beaver aircraft in partnership with Colin McOuat late of Lachute Quebec. John together with the late Marg Carson wee instrumental in establishing and growing Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA), representing the interests and concerns of private airplane owners throughout Canada. The Canadian Aviation Historical Society Journal 2009 recorded John’s love of flying in an article entitled “John Bogie: A Life in Aviation”. In recognition of his many contributions to private and commercial flights in Canada John was inducted as a member of the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame prior to his death.

COPA Election Results

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Results: 2018 Board of Director Elections

Voting for the 2018 Board of Directors elections concluded on Monday, April 2, 2018. We are pleased to announce the results to our membership and we congratulate each candidate for putting their name forward for consideration. Without the willingness of our members to take an active role in volunteering for our organization, COPA would not be able to continue our important work for general aviation in Canada. We hope that those candidates not successful this year will continue to remain actively involved in the organization through the many opportunities available.

We would also like to thank the members for turning out in record numbers to vote in this year’s elections. Overall turnout was 31.14% of eligible voters, the highest ever in our organization’s 66 year history. Regionally, turnout was 31.14% in BC and Yukon, 38.35% in Southern Ontario, and 16.87% in Quebec.

The ballots, both online and paper, were counted and the results certified at the COPA office by a team of member-scrutineers on Wednesday, April 4. We would like to thank them for their contribution to the process: Kevin Psutka, Earle dePass, and Claude Roy.

The winning candidates will begin their four-year terms upon ratification of the results by the members at the Association’s Annual General Meeting in June.

Congratulations to the winning candidates:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]British Columbia and Yukon (2 positions):

DAVID BLACK: 207, 25.46%
DAVID McELROY: 166, 20.41%
ARTHUR LORING: 123, 15.12%
PETER LYTHALL: 121, 14.88%
KENNETH WELTE: 85, 10.45%
MARC R.B. WHITTEMORE: 70, 8.61%
PAT COCHRANE: 41, 5.04%

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Southern Ontario (3 positions):

CLARK MORAWETZ: 329, 18.15%
DOUGLAS RONAN: 317, 17.49%
KEVIN R. ELWOOD: 301, 16.61%
CONRAD HATCHER: 238, 13.13%
ALEXANDER MARTINS: 149, 8.22%
PAUL S. ARMSTRONG: 141, 7.78%
OLIVER JAVANPOUR: 107, 5.90%
PHILLIP LIGHTSTONE: 94, 5.18%
RANDY PECKHAM: 86, 4.74%
JOSEPH ABLEY: 50, 2.75%

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Quebec (2 positions)*:

JONATHAN BEAUCHESNE: 162, 33.67%
MATTHIEU DELORME: 148, 30.76%
PAUL-MARC MAJOR: 90, 18.71%

NB: Jean Messier withdrew his candidacy on March 16th. [/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

COPA Hosts 2020 IAOPA Assembly

COPA will host general aviation advocates from 78 countries in the summer of 2020 in Montreal as host of the 30th annual World Assembly of the International Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (IAOPA). The meeting will be held from June 29 to July 4 it was announced at the 29th meeting of the group being held at Queenstown, New Zealand this week. “I am excited to relay the news … the delegates at the 29th World Assembly presently in NZ have accepted our invitation and have voted in favour of holding the next meeting in Montreal, June 29- July 4  2020,” said COPA President Bernard Gervais, who is attending the Queenstown meeting. “This is a great opportunity to promote general aviation and COPA/Canada on the world GA stage.”

COPA is the second largest of the 79 member groups behind AOPA in the U.S. and the worldwide representation of IAOPA groups is more than 470,000 members. The groups are defined as “autonomous, nongovernmental, national general aviation organizations” whose members fit the ICAO definition of general aviation as “all civil aviation operations other than scheduled air services and non-scheduled air transport operations for remuneration or hire.” More details will be released as the event draws closer.

For more information in IAOPA, visit https://www.iaopa.org/