John Bogie Memorial Award – Guy Devenny

The John Bogie Memorial Award is presented to any aviation company, organization, individual, government agency or department that has raised the image of General Aviation (GA) in Canada. This year’s John Bogie Memorial Award recognizes Guy Devenny, who was a flight instructor, bush pilot, aviation advocate and irreplaceable mentor for many. Guy is an honoured member of the Saskatchewan Aviation Hall of Fame and flew west on his final flight on June 1, 2021.

He dedicated his time towards mentorship, volunteerism and helping others to achieve their potential in aviation and their daily lives. Today, his mentees have successfully become many of our nation and the world’s top aviation industry leaders. Guy’s impact in aviation will be felt for many years to come.

President’s Award – Gordon Price

Awarded annually to an individual(s) who has made a notable contribution to General Aviation in Canada. This year’s President’s Award goes to Gordon Price, who spearheaded and led the coalition to save the Owen Sound Airport, as well as for his efforts in safely hosting an airshow during the pandemic.

In 2020, many airshows had to be cancelled or postponed, but Gordon took it upon himself to work with Owen Sound airport authorities to host an airshow at the community’s Billy Bishop Airport. The show was a huge success and was an inspiration for many during these challenging times.

Earlier this year, the Owen Sound city council introduced a landing fee for all aircraft, including its own General Aviation residents. Gord’s relentless efforts to have these fees removed, which are still ongoing, demonstrate his passion for General Aviation and his dedication toward our Freedom to Fly.

Check out the Save Owen Sound Airport Facebook page here.

Chair’s Award – Trekker Armstrong

Presented to any COPA member who has shown an outstanding commitment to our objectives to maintain our Freedom to Fly. This year’s Chair Award recipient is Trekker Armstrong.

Trekker has been a pilot since his teens and throughout his career, he has made significant contributions to the GA community. Trekker Armstrong is a COPA Lifetime member and has served as Captain for Flight 134, COPA’s Board of Directors as a regional representative for Alberta and took on the role of Board Secretary and Board Chairman. Outside of COPA, he has served as a Director for the Calgary Flying Club, is a member of EAA, Calgary Mosquito Society and a life member of The Hangar Flight Museum. His longest volunteer commitment to COPA, however, has been in representing the Armstrong Family in chairing the COPA Neil J Armstrong Scholarship Committee. Trekker has helped review hundreds of applications over the years and has helped many aspiring aviators pursue their dreams for flight.

2021 marks the 26^th anniversary of the COPA Neil J. Armstrong Scholarship whose genesis was the initiative of Ken McNeil, who chaired the selection committee for a number of years before handing the reins over to Trekker, Mr. Armstrong’s son.

Trekker Armstrong has chaired the scholarship committee now for over two decades.

Since the fund’s inception in 1996, COPA has awarded 72 recipients over $282,000.

Editor’s Award – Phil Lightstone

Presented to an individual that has made a substantial contribution to the COPA Flight magazine. The recipient of this year’s Editor’s Award is Phil Lightstone.

Aviation, writing and sharing knowledge are all part of Phil’s DNA. Phil has been a long-time contributor to COPA with his first article published in COPA Flight in 1996. Contributing monthly to COPA Flight through recurring columns, Plane Tech and Plane Investments, Phil writes about aviation technology and finances. He also contributes short articles to COPA’s eFlight weekly newsletter. To date, Phil has contributed over 100 articles to COPA, and presented at COPA’s National Fly-In and Aviation Expo, speaking about Aircraft Total Cost of Ownership. Phil also writes for WINGS Magazine, Aviation Consumer, Canadian Aviator and Helicopters Magazine. Phil has presented numerous topics at a variety of events including, EAA Webinars, COPA Flight 44, Transport Canada Safety Seminars, and the Ninety-Nines. In 2019, Phil launched his podcast, called PlaneTalk, which can be listened to on Apple, Google and Spotify podcast platforms, with over 70 episodes.

Director’s Award

COPA’s Board of Directors provides regional recognition for the many efforts being made to advance, promote and preserve our Canadian Freedom to Fly.

• Glen Cooper
• Eric Cummings
• John Leggat
• Les Balla
• Ken and Colette Pierce
• Glen Bruno Bradley
• Mike Edgar
• Brent Bidston
• Jack Searson
• Naor Cohen and the Casey Aerocamping team
• Normand Prenoveau
• Paul Easson
• Doug Chisholm
• Aero Club of BC
• Phil Lightstone

Glen Cooper

Glen knew from a very young age that he was going to be a pilot – as a kid, he joined his dad on flights in Beavers, Otters, DC-3s and Cansos. Glen joined COPA in 1969 after learning to fly at the Gander Flying Club and he flew in the bush, with smaller airlines and corporately, as a Transport Canada Civil Aviation Inspector. He later became Operations Manager of the NL Government Air Ambulance and Waterbombing operation. Glen frequently shares many pictures and stories about the history of aviation on social media and he freely and generously shares his knowledge, experience and passion for aviation. Glen is a mentor and inspiration to many pilots across the country.

Eric Cummings

Eric began flying later in his business career as a bucket list item. With youthful enthusiasm, he learned to fly, bought an aircraft, built a hangar and embarked on airfield improvements that brought new life to the Woodstock, NB airfield. Eric’s latest project has been to bring flying to the younger members of the community and for the last year, he has applied both his determination and financial resources to the implementation of a credited private pilot ground school program into the local high school curriculum. With an initial class of 20 students graduating this year, he hopes that with the Provincial Education Department on board, this will be a template for a much larger provincial rollout in the coming years.

John Leggat

John Leggat has been a fixture in Canadian General Aviation for over 50 years – his knowledge, commitment to the industry and most importantly his soft-spoken professionalism is a testament to his long and successful career. Having worked summers and countless weekends with his father at Leggat Aviation, John Leggat joined in 1970 after graduating from the University of Waterloo in Mechanical Engineering. Over the years, Leggat Aviation has become a well-known name within the aviation community, having represented Champion/Citabria, Mooney, Waco, the Grumman, an authorized Piper Service Center. John is a very proud father to two daughters, Kate and Meaghan and his four grandchildren.

Les Balla

Les joined COPA in 1966 after learning to fly at Toronto Island Airport in 1962. Soon after earning his pilot’s license, he began an apprenticeship at Leavens Brothers in 1962 as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME). Early in his career, he held one of only two AME licenses in Canada for Balloons. His commitment to Canadian aviation history has been his greatest contribution to COPA and its members. Les has always been willing to share his vast aircraft maintenance knowledge, learned through the owning, rebuilding, and restoration of five historic aircraft, including the lead Harvard flown by COPA member Pete Spence, of the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team. Les continues to be active in aircraft restoration, building a de Havilland Gypsy Moth, Sopwith Pup along with actively flying his de Havilland Tiger Moth.

Ken and Colette Pierce

Ken and Colette Pierce have been enthusiastic promoters of General Aviation for business and recreation. They have promoted aviation through speaking at public events, including one of COPA Saskatchewan’s recent Zoom meetings, describing their flights in Australia, through their popular annual fly-in at their grass strip in western Manitoba, and through their leadership and promotion of the Flying Farmers.

“Thank you for this award. For us, flying has opened up so many opportunities to travel in Canada and other countries. We have met some amazing people and we want to share these experiences with others. Although this award came as a complete surprise, we appreciate the fact that others have noticed our efforts to promote aviation. While we belong to many organizations, we feel that COPA is the best suited and positioned to protect our Freedom to Fly in dealing with all levels of government. Now…we just want to encourage everyone to get out there and enjoy this freedom of flight!”

Glen Bruno Bradley

Bruno is the driving force behind the rehabilitation of the Red Deer Forestry airstrip on the doorstep of the Alberta Rockies. He spends every spare moment at the CFR7 to make the runway safe and useable. The past year, he organized the installation of beehives to fence the runway for the safety of both pilots and the resident wild horses that would often be on the strip. He also was instrumental in having a shelter built at the airport for pilots to use for a safety layover or to camp. The Red Deer Forestry strip is a hive of GA activity and without the efforts of Bruno, it would still be a wild horse pasture that would be unsafe for aircraft use. Bruno’s efforts are popular on social media, which further encourages pilots to use this gem of an airport on the banks of the Red Deer River.

“I want to make it clear to all, that I feel that I am only the tip of the iceberg that is seen and that I am accepting on behalf of all the grassroots aviation movements. We have had people show up and help out from every province in Canada to the Yukon, Alaska, Montana, Idaho and the cowboys out of Wyoming. Last but not least, thank you. I never dreamed that the thought or the concept of pilots for pilots would resonate so strongly with the grassroots family of GA. It is amazing to see all that is and has been accomplished with no help or funding outside of our aviation community. I believe the feeling of joy that comes from independence and freedom is being celebrated exponentially. A thank you all from (to quote Ken Zak) the best-looking pilot in Carhartts!”

Mike Edgar

Mike has been involved with Angel Flight Alberta for over 4 years – as a director, pilot, and fundraiser. In addition to his involvement with CASARA and raising funds for charities through the Twinkle Tours – Grande Prairie organization, Mike volunteers his time as a pilot at COPA for Kids and helps pilots through mentoring and connecting people.

“In my lifetime I’ve been fortunate to have had great role models and mentors, so I wish to be able to offer the same to others. This has led me to be involved in numerous charities, but the most enjoyable for me has been when I get the opportunity to introduce someone to the wonderment of flight. Be it a Christmas Twinkle tour or through COPA for Kids, the look in a person’s eyes as they gaze from this unique perspective gives me sheer joy.

For the last few years, I’ve been volunteering as a director and pilot with Angel Flight Alberta. This is the pinnacle for me, to meet these wonderful people and assist them during difficult times by providing the convenience of a flight, that gives them back minutes and hours of their lives that otherwise would have been spent travelling great distances at expense they often cannot afford. So often during the flight, they will comment that for a portion of their trip, they forget why they are travelling.

So, I humbly accept this award on behalf of all the aviators and volunteers who provide Angel flights.”

Brent Bidston

After 30 years flying airliners, Brent started a unit of PEP AIR in the Elk Valley. Brent has also founded Angel Flight – East Kootenay, providing free flights to residents of the East Kootenay to medical appointments in Kelowna and Trail, BC.

Jack Searson

In 1977, during training to get his pilot’s license, Jack became a member of COPA. He looked forward to the start of each month when he could read the articles that the yellow Flight newspaper contained. In later years, Jack joined Flight 45 Goderich and later, Flight 172 Kincardine as co-captain. Over the years, Jack has supported the Freedom to Fly Fund and the COPA for Kids program. A smile on a child’s face after their first flight warms Jack’s heart and he believes that’s what aviation is all about.

Naor Cohen and the Casey Aerocamping team

Aviation and flying have always been passions for Naor. Growing up a stone’s throw away from CYUL, airplanes were a part of Naor’s daily life. In his mid 30’s, Naor got his pilot’s license and today, Naor gets to fly for both business and pleasure and introduces hundreds of people to aviation through flight discoveries and his team’s flying club Stratos Aero. Naor’s most exciting achievement was becoming a warbird pilot flying the Albatros L-39 and inspiring the next generation under the Breitling umbrella.

Naor and his colleagues are working on an ambitious project transforming the Casey airstrip in Haute Mauricie, Québec, into an aerotourism destination for pilots and aircraft owners from across Canada and the United States.

Normand Prenoveau

Normand is an advocate for General Aviation in Canada. He was instrumental in bringing new and innovative services, such as a courtesy car, on-site webcam, weather observation, new website, a monthly online magazine for members, etc. to the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu airport. Normand stood up against the closure of three runways and won. Four years ago, Normand also worked to get hangars built for private pilots in the community.

Merit Award

Awarded to COPA members who do something special to further COPA’s aims either singularly or over a period of time.

• Maurice Prud’homme
• David McIntosh
• Anthony Kokai-Kuun
• Jim and Elizabeth Walker
• Norm Paterson
• Allen and Jane Joy
• Richard Reetz
• Roger Blager
• Shane Armstrong
• COPA Flight #4
• Harold Fast

Maurice Prud’homme

Maurice, Captain at COPA Flight 169, has been organizing the famous Mo’s Fly-In for 32 years. Always on the last Saturday of February on the Ottawa River, one mile west of the Ottawa VOR – rain or shine! Most of the time – weather conditions permitting, Maurice opens a 3000-foot runway on the river to allow aircraft to visit. Maurice was a former chef to Pierre Elliott Trudeau and during the Fly-In’s, he cooks and supplies his famous chili and other foods and soft drinks at his own expense. He starts planning for the Fly-In in the fall and often can’t sleep a few days before because he is too excited about the event!

David McIntosh

Furloughed from his airline job during the pandemic, David dove back into the local aviation community, volunteering at the BC Museum of Flight, reinstating his instructor certificate and teaching a cadre of pilots on the joys of tailwheel and aerobatic flying. His passion for aviation is clear through his social media accounts and his willingness to teach.

Anthony Kokai-Kuun

Anthony used to operate a local airline in BC. Now, he is an A330 Captain (furloughed from Air Transat), a Class 1 Flight Instructor, and an author. He does a lot of great work around BC in teaching seminars and promoting aviation safety.

Jim and Elizabeth Walker

Elizabeth and Jim like to create a place to share good food and interesting stories. Pilots love both. They are strong believers of: “Life is what happens when you show up.”

Norm Paterson

“I feel very fortunate to be a part of the general aviation community in Canada. The cooperation and support of the pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers (AME) I have worked with has been truly wonderful. What a great group of people!”

Appreciation Award

Awarded to non-COPA members who do something special to support or promote General Aviation.

Curtis Penner

Flying as much as possible whenever and wherever he can, Curtis has logged over 2000 hours in the last 15 years, flying coast to coast in Canada, as well as trips in the U.S. and the Bahamas. Aircraft owned have included a C150 and a PA 28-180 and Curtis currently flies an RV-10 and Bearhawk Patrol, in addition, “whenever we travel, we rent an aircraft to see the country, including flights in Australia, New Zealand & Costa Rica”. 2020 travel restrictions provided the incentive to explore Manitoba by locating, mapping, and landing on 243 (so far) private strips as an “MB 150” project.

Susan Meyer

Susan has worked over the years to provide semi-regular news to all the Peace River region (of Alberta and BC) pilots and other aviation interested parties. From compiling a mailing list and keeping it current to assembling news of current events, to supporting social events and encouraging various aviation activities, she has done a commendable service for the freedom and fun of flying. Susan is a feature like so many women involved in aviation, women who support, encourage and often help finance family projects, whether they are building or flying. Susan’s husband Arnie is currently in a building project with a Highlander.

“There are not many places where joyful experiences can also create a route to occupations useful to the world. To fly for fun and as a work aid or career choice. I’m fortunate to have had a fellow teacher say “if we had a pilot and a plane, we could go to the Grey Cup.” Never did the second part, but met wonderful people with good organizations like COPA to promote the industry and the activities for safety as well as local and national protection of our industry. Thank you for this honour and come visit the Peace Region of NW Alberta and NE BC.”

NAV CANADA Team Saskatchewan

“NAV CANADA Staff at both Regina Tower and FSS pride themselves on delivering an exceptionally safe service, for which the professionalism of our customers – many of which are COPA members – contribute positively. We are thankful for the opportunities and experiences we have had with COPA; to learn and share, all the while contributing to safer skies and stronger bonds amongst the aviation industry. This award is a culmination of the relationship built with COPA and for that we are grateful.”

Don Patrick

Don Patrick, Charter Member and torch-carrier for the Squamish Flying Club since its humble beginnings in 1970. The local flying community lobbied successfully to have the local airport named Don Patrick Field in 2020, the same year the club celebrated its 50th birthday. Having been on the club executive for nearly the entire length of time, Don also maintained the records and archives of the club through all those years for the next generation.

Flight Plan Marketing

“When the pandemic hit my airline pilot career was put on hold. I am not one stay idle, so I quickly decided to use my digital marketing skills and help small businesses and organizations with digital transformations. Leaning on my industry colleagues, I have been able to help my clients not only survive during this trying year, but I have also set them up to thrive in a post-pandemic world. I share this award with our amazing team of marketing professionals, and we in turn acknowledge the clients that have placed their trust in us. When love of aviation runs in your blood – even when you aren’t flying – you can’t help but keep looking up! – Flight Plan Marketing is a full-service agency specializing in branding, website design, development, optimization and social media marketing.”

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

Presented to any individual, company, organization or Government agency that has shown outstanding support for the safety, education or development of our aviation community.

2020 RECIPIENT: CAMERON BOEKHOFF OF OTTAWA, ON

“For embodying the future of aviation in Canada”

From then COPA President, Bernard Gervais: He resurrected COPA Flight 8, he’s been a key player in the NextGen movement. He lives, breathes everything aviation. He’s been a strong supporter of the staff and board members in the younger generation. He’s participated in just about everything COPA has done. Congratulations Cameron for everything you’re doing and that you’ve done, and that you will do in the coming years.

From the awards administrator, Brian Pound: Cameron was not only nominated by the President but also by his own staff and one of the Ontario directors, obviously a great pick for our President’s Award.

View past President’s Award winners here.

CHAIRPERSON’S AWARD

Presented to any COPA Member who has shown outstanding commitment to our objectives to maintain our Freedom to Fly.

2020 RECIPIENT: DAVID SPRAGUE OF TORONTO, ON

“In recognition for your exceptional service to the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association”

From the Chairman of the Board, Bill Mahoney: Dave Sprague is the President of the Buttonville Flying Club, COPA Flight 44. He not only volunteers his time with the flying club organization but with several other organizations and volunteer groups such as Sail Canada. He is quick to volunteer and offer his assistance when asked. When we conferred with the search committee back in January of this year, Dave offered to assist. He is an executive search consultant and he offered to help our search committee with the daunting task of finding a new CEO for COPA. It was with his assistance, guidance, and direction that we were able to conduct a very rigorous and thorough search and come up with an outstanding candidate. I would like to recognize and thank Dave for his volunteer efforts, not only with COPA but with all organizations. He goes above and beyond so it is with deep gratitude and appreciation that I recognize you for your assistance and present you with the Chairman’s award for 2020.

EDITOR’S AWARD

Presented to an individual that has made a substantial contribution to the past year’s COPA Flight magazine. Selected by the COPA Flight Editor.

2020 RECIPIENT: JEAN-PIERRE BONIN FROM LAVAL, QC

For his photo contributions to COPA Flight

From the awards administrator, Brian Pound: Our editor of COPA Flight, Steve Drinkwater, has nominated a photographer for this award that is often presented for a COPA Flight article. Jean-Pierre has done a phenomenal job and I hope that he keeps up sending more and more fantastic photographs into our COPA Flight, so, quite frankly Jean-Pierre, congratulations and thank you for all you have done to support COPA. Great job, thank you.

DIRECTORS’ AWARD RECIPIENTS 2020

In appreciation for your personal efforts to advance, promote and preserve our Canadian Freedom to Fly.

• Association des Pilotes et Propriétaires de Hangars de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu – CYJN
  • An amazing organization, COPA Flight 160. They have 230 members and this strong flight is very active in COPA for Kids. They also work with the city manager and have taken over the FBO operations, they sell the Avgas and give you great service when you land. They are also holding many safety and training sessions on various aspects of aviation. A very dedicated group.
• Munden Critch, NL
  • He has single-handedly expanded the water aerodrome at Patty’s Pond (CCQ5), near St. John’s, Newfoundland. He is a very skilled and experienced aircraft builder and shares his knowledge and talent with anyone who needs it.
• Mervin Zinck, NS
  • Based at New Germany Lake (CCA2) in Nova Scotia, for the past 12 years, Mervin has been hosting the annual New Germany Lake Pilot’s Picnic that hosts up to 25 planes from around the Maritimes. He truly tries to involve the whole community in this event and offers free lunches, live music, a small antique car show; Model aircraft builders and skydivers jumping out of floatplanes are all present. He’s a member of the Bluenose Flying Club and COPA Flight 196 and he has created an amazing showcase for general aviation in this small community.
• Yvan Albert, Pierre Boudreault, Gilles Lambert, QC
  • A joint award goes out to Yvan, Pierre and Gilles. These gentlemen worked very hard to try and save their local aerodrome, a project that is still being heavily discussed. Their efforts are very much appreciated despite the current ruling. We give them a vote of thanks for working through this project and hope for a better solution in the future.
• Gabriel Muglia, ON
  • Gabriel is of COPA Flight 8, a private pilot, a COPA member and builder of very impressive, intricate remote-controlled aircraft. He is the secretary of the recently resurrected COPA Flight 8 in Ottawa. Along with others, he has answered the call for volunteers to help get the COPA NextGen initiative off the ground, bringing great membership value to our younger members.
• Geordie Dalglish, ON
  • Geordie has recently purchased the Collingwood airport and is an example of someone who is prepared to go the extra mile to take of our freedom to fly, looking out for our whole aviation community.
• Clayton Smith, ON
  • Clayton is a phenomenal person and even a bit larger than life. He has managed to transform the Orillia airport into an aviation masterpiece with longer runways, a restaurant, a large new shop, 40 T-hangars, a flying school and has even moved into Parry Sound where there will be a restaurant as well.
• Wade Cook, ON
  • Wade Cook was instrumental in forming COPA Flight 201 along with the Gore Bay Flying Club. He is a corporate pilot, an instructor, and the person responsible for getting a flight school and an aircraft for his COPA Flight so that they can have an amazing contribution to aviation.
• Ken Zachkewich, AB
  • Ken has just been a director for the last few minutes (as of the 2020 AGM). His accomplishments, which can be read about in COPA Flight magazine, include a very successful 4000 ft ice runway fly-in at Lac La Biche where they had 69 aircraft fly in for an event. He served as captain of the Lac La Biche Flight for several years and is very active within the aviation community.
• Ruf May, AB
  • He has worked on many aircraft and helped pilots purchase their planes for more than 25 years. He is just a phone call away and is always happy to assist. He is a fountain of information and he seems to know all his client’s aircraft parts off the top of his head. He is a multiengine pilot and an AME, he worked for Pacific Western Airlines as a flight engineer for a number of years before switching over to Canadian airlines. He has served on the Olds-Didsbury airport commission. He has been on the flying club board for many years and you’ll see him even mowing the grass, fixing the fuel system, and maintaining aircraft. A person like Ruf keeps general aviation alive and well in Canada.
• Ryan van Haren, BC
  • Along with being an IFR controller and holding an ATPL, he has been described as the spark plug behind the British Columbia General Aviation Association and is the president of COPA Flight 194. He has truly made an enormous impact on the aviation community in BC through his tireless efforts on his web and Facebook pages that are the basis for the success of his virtual organization. Last year at the Innisfail AGM, Ryan kindly volunteered to help a fellow aviator get to a checkout ride at an airport 3 hours away.
• Dave McElroy, BC
  • Dave is a giant of a guy in personality. He offers his support for the Kelowna Flying Club, has major fundraising efforts for his organization Wings of Hope, and has been committed to COPA. He keeps the GoPro cameras as busy as they can be with his mountain flying.

MERIT AWARD RECIPIENTS 2020

In recognition of your personal contribution, passion and commitment to aviation in your community.

• Jeremy Dann, NS
  • Among his contributions, Jeremy is captain of the Bluenose Flying Club and host of the Fly Nova Scotia Facebook page. He started flying back in the 70s as an air cadet and currently flies a Rans S-7 on floats. He is even currently building a hangar. Thanks, Jeremy, for all the work you do in the Maritimes.
• Marc Quidoz, QC
  • He’s said to be at the airport nearly every day, he is making the Quebec general aviation community grow. This 4400-hour pilot has done great work and is very helpful to the people in his neighbourhood. He really accepts the challenges of aviation.
• Guillaume Narbonne, QC
  • He has been working with the local resistance but is currently expanding to Saint-Cuthbert aerodrome. He will be a great addition to that local aviation community. The directors from Quebec are very pleased nominate him for this award.
• Laura Matheson, ON
  • Laura went to great lengths to make sure the members of her local Flight were recognized. This Vice-President of COPA Flight 8 at the Rockcliffe Airport was nominated for the merit award by two COPA directors. The members of her club are appreciative of her leadership skills and for keeping the club growing.
• Terry Mortimer, ON
  • Terry grew up with his father flying a Cessna 310 and was instrumental in resurrecting COPA Flight 66 and is now their Flight captain. He flies an RV-6 with GoPros attached and is a huge supporter of the COPA for Kids program. The work he does is greatly appreciated.
• Innisfail Flying Club, AB
  • If anyone was at the COPA AGM in Innisfail last year, you understand the total commitment that this flying club, as well as the town, made to make this event a success. The large improvements to their facilities at the airport and the enthusiasm of the membership was just amazing. The weather didn’t seem to cooperate but that didn’t seem to dampen their spirits and they managed to power through all that and provide us with an enjoyable gathering and all the board members were appreciative of the outstanding work that Innisfail did for us that year.
• Warwick Patterson, BC
  • He is a talented photographer, is a passionate aviator and often the first to volunteer. An avid supporter and a voice of reason in the British Columbia General Aviation Association and the local drone association as well. He calls Squamish home and is the man behind the Flying BC podcast and website, a true leader in his area.
• Tom Heise, BC
  • Tom is President of the Aero Club of BC, COPA Flight 16, at the Pitt Meadows airport. They hosted the Board in the 2019 Board meeting in BC and it is evident why Tom is deserving of an award. They host the BCGA, the BC 99s, the IMC club, provide the Avgas at the airport and even have a club plane for their members. Many of these endeavours and many others have been under the leadership of Tom and the many hours he has dedicated to the Aero Club, COPA and the sister organization of BC in the lower mainland. He was nominated by past director Tim Cole for his dedication, leadership and personal commitment that he has given to the aviation community of British Columbia.
• Paul Harris, BC
  • A designated flight examiner and class 1 flight instructor within the lower mainland of BC. He has been recognized by others as an excellent instructor and a champion of aviation safety. He is currently mainly concerned with training flight instructors and if you want to get your PPL, you are advised to find a Paul Harris prodigy and you’ll get proper training.
• Rick O’Neill, NL
  • Over the past number of years, we have observed Rick’s generous contribution of time and resources to COPA, CASARA, and the Air Cadet familiarization flight program. Regardless of what he is asked to do, or when, he is always there with unfailing enthusiasm and support.

APPRECIATION AWARD RECIPIENTS 2020

• Bell Island, Newfoundland
  • COPA Flight 97 out of St. John’s worked with the town of Wabana along with the local fire department and the Bell Island aerodrome to organize the “Bell Island-bound Fun for All Ages Day”. This partnership allowed COPA Flight 97 to promote and share general aviation with the public, to inspire people of all ages about aviation and to generate interest in the rewarding careers that are available in aviation. Like always, it was just another fine day in Newfoundland.
• South Shore Regional Airport (CYAU)
  • An amazing story of grassroots aviation at its best, with many of the flying club’s members who are not even pilots. These volunteers have donated their time and materials to refurbish the run-down clubhouse, clear brush and trees, hold several fundraisers within the town and at the airport. This is not an easy task as this beautiful 4000 ft asphalt runway is remotely located several miles out of town and has been neglected for years. The local remote control pilot’s club was also there as a valued partner and helped the refurbish team. They worked hard, they were smart about it and went to the town council and got a hold of their MLA, their member of parliament, the media and got everyone involved to share what they saw as a vision for the airport.
• COPA Flight 52 –Trois-Rivières, QC
  • 2019 was a busy year for COPA Flight 52. They had a fly-in that included a tourist historic tour of the city. This is a great way to get the spouses involved in a non-aviation-related activity while still enjoying the joy of flight.
• Nicole Wardstrom, BC
  • She is the president of the Langley Aero Club, COPA Flight 175. She gets her flying roots from her parents and is currently working hard towards her commercial pilot’s license. While being a club member for several years, she has in a short time in her new role as the leader, brought fresh enthusiasm, new ideas and new members to the group. This young woman is to be commended for her dedication, hard work, and the leadership that she has provided.
• Horst Romani, BC
  • Many local members think that Horst is very deserving of this nomination. Among other things, he is the organizer of the Aero Club of BC’s COPA for Kids program. He is an ardent COPA supporter and is one of the guys they can rely on for support around the aviation community.
• Janine Cross, BC
  • She has been a volunteer for ten years with the Air Time Canada program that encourages and mentors a few hundred young people to become interested in aviation. Her numerous articles in the COPA Flight magazine are geared towards getting spouses to go along on flights and experience the adventure and the magic that is possible through general aviation. These contributions have encouraged several young women to become pilots.