We have recently been asked by several members for clarification on who may apply for a BCGA scholarship or bursary. 

Any BCGA member may nominate themselves or any other person for the award. The key is that the person making the nomination (even if it is for themselves) is a BCGA member. 

There are 3 great scholarships available and the application deadline is June 30th. What are you waiting for? You cant win the award if your don't nominate yourself or another deserving individual. 

For more information visit: ​https://www.bcaviation.ca/awards.html

The 2017 PrepAir pilot refresher seminars are now open for registration. These seminars are provided free of charge by NavCanada and meet your Transport Canada recency requirements. 

ZBB - April 1st
YCD - April 8th
YYJ - April 29th
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The BCGA is proud to announce our newest aviation Scholarship. Dr. Harshbir Toor is not only a BCGA member and pilot but he also runs the Aviation Medical Clinic at Boundary Bay Airport . 

Thanks to Dr. Toor, we are pleased to announce the "Onkarbir Singh Toor Memorial BCGA Scholarship". This scholarship will be awarded at the BC Aviation Council's silver wings awards gala in October.

The Onkarbir Singh Toor Memorial BCGA Scholarship was created as a way to recognize the perseverance of a pilot or student pilot that has overcome adversity. The scholarship is to be used to further the recipients aviation education or flight training towards basic or advanced licenses or ratings.

The application deadline for BCGA scholarships and bursaries is June 30th. For more information on all BCGA scholarships please visit the BCGA Awards & Scholarships Page

BCGA Member Aidan Charles is flying across Canada in support of Hope Air.
Aidan is a grade 11 student and has been passionate about Aviation from a young age. While most teenagers spend their summer hanging out at the beach or playing video games, Aidan has set himself a goal to fly across Canada to raise money for Hope Air. 

Aidan approached the BCGA for support in November and we have been helping him promote his flight at find sponsors. At the BCGA Hangar Party in January we told the members what Aidan wanted to accomplish and asked if anyone had any input or ideas as to how Aidan could find an aircraft to complete the journey in. 

BCGA member and owner of King George Aviation, Arnold Klappe stepped up and made a deal with Aidan. The deal is that Aidan will dedicate his weekends to helping rebuild an advanced ultralight and in return he will be able to use that aircraft for his fundraising journey across the country. 

Aidan has started fundraising for Hope Air and has started a website and Facebook group so that you can follow his blog as he documents the journey of rebuilding the aircraft that he will fly from Tofino to St. John's and back. 

Please join us in supporting Aidan in his quest. It is great to see young people getting involved in aviation and using it to help others.

Aidan's Webpage: www.crosscanadasolo.com
Aidan's Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/crosscanadasolo/

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Hello,
 
Thank you for your email regarding concerns about the Airport Coffee Shop. Magnum Management Inc (MMI) holds the Head Lease for the Chilliwack Airport and is solely responsible for facility management and operations.
 
Although we are unable to get involved in the operation of the airport, we did ask MMI for an update regarding this situation. We were told that the Airport Coffee Shop did not renew their lease by the date stipulated in their lease agreement. Their lease will expire on February 28, 2017, and MMI plans to issue an RFP to solicit proposals regarding the space. The Airport Coffee Shop has been advised they are welcome to submit a response to the RFP. If you have questions about this, we encourage you to contact MMI at info@chilliwackairport.ca.
 
While the City owns the municipal airport, under the lease agreement our only function is limited to assisting the airport with the acquisition or expansion of capital projects. The only way we would get involved is if MMI is in contravention of the Head Lease, which they are not.
 
I hope you can understand why the City can’t be involved and encourage you to contact MMI directly for more information. I would like to assure you that your business in Chilliwack is appreciated.
 
Warm regards,





Sharon Gaetz | Mayor | Administration 
P: 604.793.2900 | F: 604.792.2561 | E: gaetz@chilliwack.com 

City of Chilliwack
8550 Young Road, Chilliwack, BC
Canada V2P 8A4 
www.chilliwack.com

Dear Members,

Many of you know what has been going on at the Chilliwack airport for the past year. We are not going to get into details in this email and if you need more information please ask a friend. 

As a result of the goings on at the airport the Airport Coffee Shop (Yes the one that serves up our favorite pie) may be forced to close its doors by the end of this month. The only thing that we the general aviation community can do in support is to write letters to those that can do something. This will require dozens if not hundreds of letters in support of the Coffee Shop.

If you have a moment, please consider writing a letter stating the importance of the I Fly for Pie coffee shop to the community despite what is going on at Chilliwack. You can then send your letter to the following people. 

gaetz@chilliwack.com                 Mayor Sharon Gaetz
kloot@chilliwack.com                  Councillor Chris Kloot
lum@chilliwack.com                    Councillor Jason Lum
stam@chilliwack.com                  Councillor Chuck Stam
popove@chilliwack.com              Councillor Ken Popove
attrill@chilliwack.com                  Councillor Sue Attrill
waddington@chilliwack.com        Councillor Sam Waddington
Todd.Stone.MLA@leg.bc.ca         BC Minister of Transport
john.martin.mla@leg.bc.ca          Chilliwack MLA
premier@gov.bc.ca                       BC Premier
Laurie.Throness.MLA@leg.bc.ca Chilliwack/Hope MLA (he is a Mr.)

Mark.Strahl@parl.gc.ca               Chilliwack/Hope MP (C)
marc.garneau@parl.gc.ca           Minister of Transport (L)

paul.henderson@theprogress.com     Reporter-The Chilliwack Progress
tips@GlobalTVBC.com                           Global BC news  

The BC General Aviation Association made a decision at its inception to focus on the fun of flying and not get involved in politics. This is one of the few instances where the fun of flying and politics meet and we feel it necessary to provide you with the information to try and make a difference.