Governance: Meet COPA's New Board Members

ROBERT JAAP, DIRECTOR FOR ALBERTA AND THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

Robert took his first flight the day he was born on the first air ambulance to Coronation Hospital in Alberta in 1975. With nine years as a recreational pilot, he has logged over 650 hours of flying. Joining the Innisfail Flying Club in 2016, Rob has been Co-captain for five years and Captain for almost four years. Through COPA, he has met many new friends and organized various events. Rob enjoys flying in the mountains and backcountry in his 1956 Cessna 172. He is passionate about aviation, especially grassroots flying and preserving airstrips. Rob loves sharing his photography and flying experiences, regularly posting pictures on social media.

CANDACE PARDO, DIRECTOR FOR SASKATCHEWAN

Candace is the Head of Training at Super T Aviation, with a comprehensive background in aviation. She has served as a CFI, ambassador for Elevate Aviation and sits on the Hope Air Advisory Council. With over 3,000 flight hours, Candace is also a Transport Canada Flight Instructor, Authorized Person, Examination Invigilator, and Industry Canada ROC-A Examination Invigilator.

BECKY DUECK, DIRECTOR FOR MANITOBA AND NUNAVUT

Becky began flying over 10 years ago, currently owing and flying a Zenair 601. She is an active executive volunteer at the Springfield Flying Club at Lyncrest Airport (CJL5), regularly participating in local activities and taking her Zenair to fly-ins. An avid Young Eagle pilot, Becky has flown over 50 young people, often for their first flight, and enjoys mentoring new pilots. When not flying, Becky works as an agricultural research technician, managing field studies. She enjoys the outdoors, travelling, basketball, and family time.

GRANT BAILEY, SECRETARY OF THE BOARD AND DIRECTOR FOR NORTHERN ONTARIO

Grant is a recreational pilot who has been flying for 48 years. He has logged over 1,500 hours as pilot-in-command and holds both night and seaplane ratings. Grant has owned multiple airplanes including his current airplanes, a 1956 Piper PA-22 Tripacer, a 1946 Aeronca 7AC Champ, and a 1971 Bellanca 7ACA Champ project airplane.

He is intimately familiar with Northern Ontario, having lived and worked in both Thunder Bay and North Bay.

Throughout his career, Grant worked for over 40 years in the rail industry as a professional engineer with extensive experience in operations, maintenance, regulatory affairs, and senior management.

STEPHEN WILCOX, DIRECTOR FOR SOUTHERN ONTARIO

As President of Total Aviation & Airport Solutions, Stephen currently serves as the Airport Manager for the Oshawa Executive Airport. Wilcox was instrumental in the establishment of the Oshawa Airport Hangar Condominium Corporation, which includes a complex of over 150 hangar units, taxiways, and common element utility services. He has served as Chair for the Nav Canada Advisory Committee and Chair of the Airport Management Council of Ontario (AMCO). Stephen recently completed a 4-year term on the board of Directors of Airports Council International North America, representing the Canadian Small Airport Caucus.

DR. STEPHEN MCCARTHY, DIRECTOR FOR NOVA SCOTIA, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND AND NEW BRUNSWICK

Stephen has been a pilot since 1997 and holds a CPL with IFR rating. Along with his wife, Dr. McCarthy owns a Cessna 182Q. Dr. McCarthy is also a Civil Aviation Medical Examiner for Transport Canada.

Stephen will be serving his second term on the COPA Board of Directors. He acknowledges the ongoing pressures felt by small airports across Canada from various government and private agencies which threaten the viability of these aerodromes. A good example of these challenges is the efforts to redefine visibility requirements for VFR flight. Stephen looks forward to continuing his efforts to assuage these threats by supporting the advocacy efforts of COPA. His aim is to help Canadian regulatory agencies shift their focus from being solely on commercial carriers and try to enact policies that help and support General aviation across Canada. “We all need COPA’s advocacy to prevent further erosion of our freedom to fly.”

ROBERT HAMMOND, DIRECTOR FOR NOVA SCOTIA, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, AND NEW BRUNSWICK

Robert holds a CPL with endorsements for Seaplane and Class 1 Group 3 Instrument, amassing 2,460 hours of flight time. He co- owns a Cessna 150G with two partners and is currently the Co-Captain of COPA Flight 27 in Havelock, N.B.

With over four decades of aviation experience, Robert brings a wealth of experience to the board. Apart from working as a commercial pilot, he also has ATC experience, having worked as an enroute and terminal controller, and an instructor and approach controller in Baghdad, Iraq. Robert is committed to working with the board to address the challenges of declining membership and external threats to the freedom to fly. His long-standing commitment to COPA and his active involvement in the aviation community highlight his dedication to addressing these challenges.

BILL MAHONEY, PAST CHAIR AND DIRECTOR FOR NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Bill is a pioneer in Newfoundland and Labrador’s telecommunications industry, playing a key role in developing cable television and high-speed internet coverage throughout the province. Serving on the COPA board since 2016, Bill was the Chair from 2020 to 2022. He served 26 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserves, holding several staff and command positions before retiring in 2004. He remains active in many civic and military organizations.