Meet the Next Generation: 2024 COPA Scholarship Winners

This year, COPA received nearly 800 scholarship applications, reviewed by a dedicated committee of pilots. Described by the review committee as one of the most impressive cohorts of applicants, seven exceptional individuals were chosen to receive a combined total of $32,000 in support for their flight training. Read on to learn more about these remarkable individuals and their inspiring journeys in aviation.

COPA Neil J. Armstrong Ab-Initio Scholarship

 

Jacob Isotalo
Jacob Isotalo

 

Since 1995, this primary training scholarship dedicated to 16–21-year-olds has provided flight training aid to those who otherwise would not pursue their pilot’s licence. Our 2024 recipient, Jacob Isotalo, is a 17-year-old student at Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Kingston, Ont. His journey in aviation began with drone racing, where he quickly rose to become the junior pilot for Team Canada, ranking top three in Canada and top 100 globally. Additionally, Jacob is deeply involved in his community, mentoring fellow drone racers and actively participating in local aviation clubs. He holds multiple aviation certifications and is a flight instructor at his local Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) chapter.

Jacob plans to use the $14,000 scholarship award to pursue and complete his private pilot licence (PPL), enabling him to participate in personal aviation and integrate his passion for flight with his future studies in mechatronics engineering.

COPA New Wings Scholarship

Introduced in 2023, this scholarship is generously supported by Diamond Doors and supports two Canadians 21+ to pursue their primary and advanced flight training goals, respectively.

Sri Chandrapatla is an aviation aficionado and aspiring Emergency Response pilot, currently pursuing his PPL and aiming to advance towards a CPL and other endorsements. Sri holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce, and an MBA in Finance. He is currently the Territorial Safety Officer with Civil Avi- ation Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) Yukon, holds a VLOS RPAS Basic certificate, and is also an accredited ROC-A examiner.

Sri volunteers with multiple organizations, including roles with the Abbotsford International Airshow, West-end Community Policing Center, and various disaster relief roles throughout his life in India. With the $5,000 COPA New Wings Scholarship award, Sri wants to advance his flight training, leveraging his skills to enhance emergency response operations, foster aviation safety, and contribute to the overall growth of General Aviation.

 

Sri Chandrapatla
Sri Chandrapatla

 

 

 

Amelia Walsh
Amelia Walsh

 

Amelia Walsh is a retired Olympic level cyclist and soon-to-be graduate of the University of Waterloo, where she pursued a degree in Geography and Environmental Management with a Minor in Psychology and a Diploma in GIS.

Amelia independently completed all ground school studies and quickly earned her PPL from Pacific Flying Club in December 2023. She has logged just shy of 100 hours of flying. Inspired by her father’s support, she aims to be a strong female role model for future generations, demonstrating that any- thing is possible with determination. Amelia is actively involved with The Ninety-Nines, currently with the Waterloo on the Grand chapter, and men- tors PPL students. Through the $2,500 COPA New Wings Scholarship award, Amelia wishes to continue her avia- tion adventure by obtaining her CPL, Multi-engine rating, Group 1 Instrument rating, Float Rating, and reaching 300 hours total flying time.

COPA Advanced Flight Training Scholarship

This scholarship, available exclusively to COPA members, was first established in 2021 through the generosity of the WestJet Pilots Association.

Terra Samson’s journey from a snowboard coach to an aspiring medevac pilot is marked by her involvement in the General Aviation community. Ob- taining her PPL in October 2020, Terra has logged over 165 hours of flying. She has volunteered extensively at women’s shelters, hospitals and animal shelters, and has been instrumental in fundraising for BC Children’s Hospital and breast cancer research. Her commitment to service also includes her involvement with the The Ninety-Nines, particularly in the Fly It Forward event, helping to inspire women and girls to pursue aviation.

Through the $2,500 COPA Advanced Flight Training award, Terra plans to ob- tain her Robinson 44 type rating, aiming to become a dual-rated helicopter and fixed-wing medevac pilot. This certification is vital for her work with BC Wildfire Services and the Helicopter Association of Canada’s Mountain Course, enhancing her aerial fire surveys and medevac operations capabilities.

Terra Samson
Terra Samson

 

 

 

Andy Shold
Andy Shold

 

 

Growing up in an Air Force town on the West Coast, Andy Shold spent most of his childhood with his head craned skyward watching the military helicopters, big wings, and fast movers. Currently working with Royco Air Service, he obtained his PPL in April 2020 and has since logged over 270 hours of flight. Andy is active in his local community, regularly participating in events organized by the Three Hills Flying Club and the Red Deer Flying Club (COPA Flight 92). He also volunteers with CASARA.

With the $2,500 scholarship award, Andy received the advanced flight training necessary to become a proficient agricultural pilot with Royco Air. His goal is to contribute to aerial application and firefighting, leveraging his skills to enhance safety and efficiency in these critical areas.

 

 

From a young age, Trevor Meek’s dream of becoming a pilot was evident. Starting his training at 15, he earned his PPL and Night Rating by age 17, with over 220 flight hours logged. Trevor currently works at CAMX Aerospace where he supports technicians and en- sures regulatory inventory.

Trevor volunteers with the Sudbury Pilots Association where he advocates for GA and works to counteract restrictive fees and measures. He is spearheading efforts to revive COPA Flight 13 in Sudbury and is organizing a fly-in at Sudbury Airport (CYSB). Trevor has attended EAA AirVenture every year since 2016, where he feels at home among fellow aviation enthusiasts.

With the $2,500 scholarship award, Trevor is eager to advance his skills by obtaining his Instrument Rating. Ultimately, Trevor would like to complete his CPL and ATPL and fly for commercial airlines.

 

Trevor Meek
Trevor Meek

 

 

COPA Drone Pilot Scholarship

 

This scholarship was first established in 2021 through the generosity of the WestJet Pilots Association.

Ifeoluwa Olaitan is a civil/structural engineer from Québec City, Québec. With 45 flying hours logged towards his PPL, Ifeoluwa also holds a Basic Operations Drone Licence. His fascination with drones stems from their pivotal role in modern aviation. Ifeoluwa looks to integrate cutting-edge technology into his work, recognizing the transformative potential of drones in building inspections. He utilizes drones to conduct efficient and safe inspections of hard-to-reach areas.

Ifeoluwa actively contributes to the Urban Pilots Network (UPN) and is currently training to be a virtual controller at VATCAN, the Canadian division of Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network (VATSIM). Ifeoluwa is also part of the Mid-Atlantic Pilots Association, participating in seminars on pilot safety and technology use in aviation. With the support of the COPA Drone Scholarship, Ifeoluwa aims to complete his advanced drone training, enhancing infrastructure inspection while also reducing the risk of work-related accidents.

 

Ifeoluwa Olaitan
Ifeoluwa Olaitan

 

Thank you to Kyle Fraser, Bill Carswell, Ronan Court, Robert Jaap, Raquel Lincoln, Clive Wilkins, Tim Suderman, and Trekker Armstrong for your countless hours reviewing each scholarship application. Your commitment to this program enables future generations of pilots in Canada.

To those already dreaming of next year’s scholarship program, our next scholarship application window will open soon this coming December — keep an eye out for updates!