Posted on behalf of the British Columbia Aviation Council

~ Open for nominations, this Award may be presented annually to a deserving High School student in British Columbia to assist in completing their Private Pilot’s License.  The student will have shown an interest in Aviation and will have demonstrated a commitment to complete Private Pilot training. The application for the Award is to be supported in writing by a PCTIA accredited or registered Flight Training school in British Columbia.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

~Good communication between Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers is a vital part of keeping the skies safe. The BC General Aviation Association is pleased to present a tour of the NavCanada Area Control Centre in Surrey, BC

There is a limit of 10 spaces available for this tour. If you are unable to take part in this tour we hope to have more tours available some time in the future.

For more information and to register CLICK HERE

The FAA/TSA Security NOTAM that caused so much confusion for the past two weeks has been reversed. Operations for general aviation aircraft are now back to the way that they were prior to NOTAM FDC 5/6289 on January 1st 2016. 

COPA's and partners' work has come through. Amended NOTAMS are now public.
​Things are back as they were before

The new NOTAM that puts things back to normal can be viewed HERE

By now most pilots are aware of the recent FAA NOTAM:
FDC 5/6289 ZZZ PART 1 OF 9 SECURITY SPECIAL SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS FOR CIVIL AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS WITHIN OR TRANSITING THE TERRITORIAL AIRSPACE OF THE UNITED STATES

This has implications on our ability to fly through US airspace enroute to places like Vancouver Island.

As of: JANUARY 8TH 2016 14:55pm PST
The BCGA has spoken directly with the TSA office in Washington D.C.
The TSA is working with higher levels of government to have the restrictions lifted and put back to the way they used to be.
There seems have to bee a big slip up in issuing the NOTAM in its current state.

The TSA expects it to be changed back to the way it used to read prior to these restrictions sometime next week. In the meantime as per the NOTAM Canadian aircraft may not transit US Territorial Airspace without a special waiver from the FAA/TSA. This waiver takes 5-7day to obtain per flight.

It has been observed by looking skyward and by talking to pilots that it has been operations normal on the Lower Mainland - Vancouver Island route since the NOTAM was issued.

The BCGA would not be correct unless it advised you that the NOTAM is still in effect until it is changed. Pilots are responsible for their own decisions when flight planning.

This year the "Gravel Bar Cowboys" (Ken, Rick, Brandon, Darcy and a few others) opened up their exclusive Franks on the Fraser gathering to other pilots who wanted to join them on a secluded gravel bar in the Fraser River near Chilliwack (CYCW) to have a bonfire and swap some stories. 

The weather forecast was for clear skies. At least 20 different pilots expressed an intention of showing up to the gathering. Despite a near perfect forecast, the morning brought dense fog for most of the Lower Mainland airports and high winds in the eastern valley near the meeting spot. 

By noon the fog began to clear and all of the airports except Pitt Meadows were in the clear. Twelve aircraft made it to the event, and partook in roasting a few wieners and telling a few stories of their own harrowing landings. Several other aircraft made cameo appearances with fly-bys after determining that the conditions were not consistent with their personal limitations particularity when it came to the wind and unprepared surface. It was encouraging to see these displays of airmanship and decision making ensuring that everyone made it home safely and due to fog, several members never left home at all. 

We look forward to seeing more people at the next event, perhaps if there is enough interest we can coordinate one for the summer!