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Category Archives: Important notice

New Investments in Local Airports

Today, the Government of Canada announced new investments in local and regional airports across Canada through the Airports Capital Assistance Program. This latest round of investment includes $41.7M for capital investments and upgrades at 34 airports.

These upgrades range from upgrading or replacing snow removal equipment, improving airfield lighting, rehabilitation of pavement for aircraft maneuvering surfaces, to purchasing or modernizing RCR and other airfield surveillance equipment.

COPA applauds the government for these investments that are helping to sustain Canada’s local and regional airports as valuable community assets that contribute to trade, tourism, and the economy overall.

To view the complete list of airports and projects included in this latest round of funding, visit Transport Canada’s website.

For more information on the Airports Capital Assistance Program, including information on eligible projects, application criteria, and how to apply, click here to view the application guide.

UPDATE: NO New ICAO Phraseology for SIDs and STARs

***UPDATE – MAY 19/2017***

Effective 0000Z May 20, 2017, the directive on new phraseology for SIDs and STARs is rescinded by Nav Canada. An updated NOTAM is expected to be issued later today.


Resources for upcoming SID/STAR phraseology change

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has developed harmonized phraseology for Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs) and Standard Terminal Arrivals (STARs). NAV CANADA will be implementing these changes as of April 27, 2017, as per the Aeronautical Information Circular 2/17 issued on January 5, 2017.

NavCanada has posted several resources on their corporate website which may be of interest to any of our members affected by the change.

If you have questions relating to the upcoming phraseology change, please direct them to service@navcanada.ca.

Buttonville to Stay Open Until 2018

Good news out of Toronto Buttonville Municipal Airport:

April 25, 2017

To our valued customers:

It gives me great pleasure to announce an extension to the closing date of the Toronto Buttonville Municipal Airport. After extensive discussion and review, an agreement has been reached with the Buttonville Airport land ownership partnership, to continue airport operations here at CYKZ until October 31, 2018 and possibly beyond this date, if circumstances with the airport redevelopment dictate.

Speaking from the Million Air perspective, an announcement such as this allows us to carry on providing service and support to our customers in an uninterrupted manner and proceed with proper business planning. We continue to do our best to keep pricing fair and equitable and offer the service and support that helps you make the most of your aviation activities.

Everyone on our team look forward to working with you over the coming months. We thank you for your continued patronage.

Yours truly,

Derek Siftom

President

Torontair Ltd.

Million Air Toronto

Toronto Buttonville Municipal Airport

COPA calls on Minister Garneau to take action on Wind Turbines

COPA is advocating hard on behalf of GA airports impacted by wind turbine development. Recently we wrote to Minister Garneau calling for immediate action on this critical safety issue:

Dear Minister Garneau,

On behalf of over 17,000 members of COPA across Canada, I am writing to you
concerning the ongoing saga of the proposed Fairview wind turbine development that, in
its current form, presents a significant risk to aviation safety at the Collingwood (CNY3)
and Stayner (CLV2) aerodromes.

As you are undoubtedly aware, the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT)
recently allowed an appeal by local residents objecting to the wind farm’s construction,
which concluded with: “…the proposed wind turbines at their proposed locations would
be inadequate to either prevent collision with a wind turbine, or prevent a crash due to
wind turbine-induced turbulence.” While COPA is extremely pleased with the Tribunal’s
decision, this does now open the door for the project’s proponent, wpd, to appeal this
matter in court.

COPA is a willing partner with Transport Canada in the development and
implementation of the newly revised regulations concerning Responsible Aerodrome
Development. We feel that as much as it is important for aerodromes to consult with
interested parties regarding construction and consultation, it is equally vital that outside
developers be required to consult and mitigate with interested parties, including
aerodromes, on proposals that affect operations and aviation safety. As concluded by
the tribunal, the wpd proposal in its current form cannot be mitigated to the extent
required to eliminate the very real and established risk to aviation safety and the safety
of the traveling public.

In view of your recent comments affirming your commitment to aviation safety –
specifically around the reckless use of drones, a move COPA wholeheartedly endorses,
we are seeking from you, per the provisions of section 4.31 of the Aeronautics Act,
similar relief from wpd’s proposal due to the established risks posed to aviation safety.
Such a move would not only ensure the continued safe operations at these aerodromes,
but it would send a clear message – both to other potential developers and to the
broader public that Transport Canada considers the potential impact to safety that such
developments have on operations and is prepared to act to ensure that Canadians
continue to be safe in the use of Canada’s aerodromes.

Thank you for your attention in this matter and I look forward to the opportunity to work
with you and your team to ensure that the Collingwood and Stayner aerodromes can
continue to operate safely and effectively, and contribute to the economic benefit of their
local communities.

Regards,

Bernard Gervais, PMP

President and CEO

Flight School Campaign 2017

COPA’s Flight School Campaign is underway!Student Membership

Our student membership offers anyone currently enrolled in a Flight Training Unit, or taking instruction from a freelance instructor, all the benefits of a regular COPA membership free for one year!

To sign up for this offer, complete the application form and email it to hmclaren@copanational.org along with your proof of enrollment or instructor’s endorsement.

Look for our promotional materials at a flight school near you!

Membership Card Photo Contest

join-copa-buttton-for-websiteThousands of COPA membership cards are issued each year to signify membership in the largest aviation community in Canada.

This year, for the first time ever, we are featuring our members’ incredible photos as the backdrop on our cards.

If you would like to see your photo featured, send a high-resolution photo facebook-icon-preview-1to russ@copaflight.ca. Each month, a new entry will be posted as the cover photo
on COPA’s Facebook page. At the end of the year, the photo with the most likes will become the background on the following year’s membership card.

Previously-featured photos:

 submitted by Robin Tremblay. Photo credit: Mireille Caza
April 2017 – submitted by Robin Tremblay. Photo credit: Mireille Caza
This month's submission comes to us from Martin Bima of Manitoba
March 2017 – submitted by Martin Bima of Manitoba

COPA 2017 Convention registration now open

The COPA 2017 Convention is being held June 23-24 in Kelowna, BC.

Click here to visit the Kelowna Convention website for information on hotels, camping and the agenda.

Kelowna Under the Tree!

Receive a gift certificate mailed to you to put ‘under the tree’ for your spouse, your friend, or yourself! Upon arrival in Kelowna receive a gift basket full of locally produced goodies valued at over $75! The gift basket will be filled with consumables and souvenirs representative of our local Okanagan Valley area. You can enjoy them during your stay or bring them home with you! This offer is valid while supplies last. Limit of one basket per family. Gift Baskets will not be shipped; they will be delivered to you upon your arrival in Kelowna for the June 2017 AGM. Should you cancel your registration and not attend the AGM, your gift basket order will be cancelled and the purchase price refunded with your registration fee.

Be sure to click here to register for this event and purchase your gift certificate for Kelowna Under the Tree.