Front Row Seats for COPA Members at Airshows across Canada

^{Written by: Sharon Cheung, Director, Marketing and Communications, COPA
Photos courtesy of COPA Image Library}

Earlier this year, Canada’s only national general aviation association signed an exclusive agreement with air shows across Canada to bring Canadian pilots and aviation enthusiasts together.

The new partnership will offer COPA members exclusive viewing areas at acclaimed air shows across Canada during a pivotal year for aviation as Canadians celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

This year, the member-only tents will be held at the Air Show Atlantic, Airshow London "Sky Drive", and Aero Gatineau-Ottawa Air Shows. Members are encouraged to purchase their tickets and register for the COPA tent ahead of time as limited seating is available per day. Alternatively, guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets for additional seating.

Abbotsford Air Show (August 9, 10, 11)

A booth will be hosted by our local COPA Flight 16 – Aero Club of BC, members are encouraged to visit the Aero Club of BC at their tent. The air show will be held August 9, 10 and 11. The event will include both military and civilian aerial performers, over 350,000-sqft of aircraft displays, and an evening show featuring pyrotechnics, drones, and more.

Air Show Atlantic (August 24-25)

COPA members can sign up for the COPA member tent hosted August 24 and 25 at 14-Wing Greenwood, NS, through the following link (click here). Confirmed performances include the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, the F-16 Viper, the RCAF Snowbirds, the CF-18 Demo Team Jet, and the Skyhawks Parachute Team, the CH-146 Griffon from CFB Gagetown, the CP-140 Aurora from CFB Greenwood, and Poseidon P-8.

Aero Gatineau/Ottawa Air Show (Sept 6, 7, 8)

This year’s event will feature high-speed flypasts by the Snowbirds in addition to international aerial demonstration teams such as the US Air Force Thunderbirds and the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, alongside breathtaking aerobatic demonstrations and historic military aircraft flyovers. The exclusive COPA members-only tent will be located east of the hot zone. Additionally, COPA members will gain access to a limited number of complimentary flight simulator tours at Select Aviation College. These tours will be available on September 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., with prior registration required. Click here to register for the COPA members-only tent at this year’s Aero Gatineau/Ottawa Air Show.

Airshow London Sky Drive (Sept 13, 14, 15)

Named the Best Air Show in North America by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards Contest, this year’s Airshow London show will be another spectacular showcase of military aviation highlighted by Canadian participation from the RCAF Snowbirds and the RCAF CF-18 Demo Team, and U.S. participation from the USAF F-16 Viper Demo Team, the North American P-51 Mustang, and the U.S. Golden Knights. For the first time ever, alongside the Hawker Sea Fury, “SkyDrive” will host the U.K.’s esteemed Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows. Click here to register for the COPA members-only tent at this year’s Airshow London Sky Drive.

About COPA

The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) is a federally registered not-for-profit association that provides information and advocacy services for Canadian pilots who fly for non-commercial purposes. With 12,000 members and over 200 active local COPA Flight chapters, COPA is the largest aviation association of its kind in Canada.

Our mission is to advance, promote, and preserve the Canadian Freedom to Fly, and our vision is to be the influential driving force for a safe and thriving general aviation community in Canada.