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BCGA Presented The 2018 COPA President's Award

6/30/2018

Original Article From COPA News

COPA handed out awards to deserving individuals and organizations at its annual convention and trade show in Saint John June 21-23. The President’s Award went to the B.C. General Aviation Association for its efforts to promote and support GA in the province. “Founded in 2015 by a small group of general aviation pilots, the B.C. General Aviation Association has quickly become a successful, province-wide community of pilots with over 1500 members and has become a model for similar organizations in other provinces,” said President Bernard Gervais. “Through a variety of popular initiatives such as the Survival Shakedown, Private Airstrip Access Program, trip-sharing forums, and comprehensive educational materials on topics specific to flying in B.C.’s unique environment, the B.C. General Aviation Association is consistently developing new and innovative ways to link pilots in the region, draw new members to the industry, and promote GA to the broader public.”

The convention also paid tribute to three Neil Armstrong scholarship recipients Erik Yaremkewich ($10,000 ab initio) Cody Lincoln ($3,000 continuing training) and Erik Urquhart ($2,000 continuing training). COPA Flight Editor Russ Niles announced Oshawa Flight 70 Captain Gord Mahaffy as the winner of the magazine award. Mahaffy was chosen for his reliable and responsible reporting of the activities, challenges and initiatives of his flight. Cougar Helicopters earned recognition for its support of COPA activities in Newfoundland. Merit Awards went to Dan Stringer and Jim and Jane Farrell for their tireless volunteer efforts in southern Ontario.Outgoing board members Jean Messier, Joe Hessberger, Cheryl Marek and Phil Englishman were recognized for their service to the organization.

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Dave McElroy Elected as First Ever COPA Chairman From BC

6/30/2018

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Original Article from COPA News

An adventurous B.C. pilot who uses his wanderlust to raise money for non-profit groups is the new chairman of the board of directors of the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA). Dave McElroy, of Kelowna, was elected chairman by his fellow board members at the organization’s convention and trade show in Saint John, New Brunswick, June 23. “I am humbled and I am honoured,” said McElroy, a retired forest industry executive and RV-6 owner who is also the president of the Kelowna Flying Club. McElroy was one of six new directors elected to the board in the hotly contested election held in February. Other executive members selected at the convention were Shane Armstrong, of Saskatchewan as western vice chair, Bill Mahoney, of Newfoundland as eastern vice chair. Jim Bell, of Manitoba will remain secretary and Jonathan Beauschene, of Quebec, will continue as treasurer.

McElroy conducted his campaign for election to the board from South America. He and two other pilots circumnavigated the continent in January and February, raising more than $500,000 for Hope Air. The Give Hope Wings effort raised individual and corporate donations and also sold six individual legs of the trip to people who wanted to experience the rare flight. McElroy had earlier circumnavigated the planet in a Piper Comanche, raising money for a children’s hospital and Scottish air ambulance service (he was living in Scotland at the time). McElroy wasted no time setting an ambitious goal for COPA. In his acceptance speech in Saint John he noted that COPA has proportionately less participation by pilots in Canada than AOPA in the U.S. and said he would like to substantially increase membership in the coming year.

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Milner Feed & Pet Supply Discount on Mutt Muffs

6/28/2018

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15% Off Mutt Muffs

Milner Feed & Pet Supply is now offering a 15% discount on Mutt Muffs. Milner Feed & Supply is a 5 minute drive from Langley Airport and can arrange to drop off items at the airport.

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Supporting Inclusivity & Diversity in General Aviation

6/19/2018

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British Columbia has, for me, been one of the best places I have ever been a pilot. Beautiful landscapes, great airports, and sometimes decent weather to experience them all in. More importantly, I have always found "hangar talk" in BC to be reasonable and inclusive. I started my path to becoming a pilot in upstate New York, finished my license in Montana, and spent time in Idaho and elsewhere along the way. To say that some of the opinions shared in the hangars I have been in outside BC were appalling would be an understatement.

I am really grateful that here in BC I haven't really experienced that, but that being said it's always great to have an organization that is full of people who have shared experiences and backgrounds. For women we have organizations like the 99s, and for LGBTQ+ pilots we have nationally the Canadian Aviation Pride and locally Cascade Flying Club.

The National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) is largely an American based commercial pilot organization which has been a safe place for pilots to be themselves without fear of losing their job and now represents over 4000 LGBTQ+ people in the United States and Canada. They offer scholarship and advocacy programs.

Canadian Aviation Pride is a fantastic Canadian organization which has an emphasis on inclusive aviation passion with a name that appeals to more than just gay men and is open to not just pilots but anyone with an interest in aviation that is open minded and wants to be part of a vibrant community. I was lucky enough to participate in a Christmas event they put on and everyone was friendly and as a pretty awkward dude I was pulled in and made a friend real fast which was fantastic.

Cascade Flyers are Pacific Northwest focused and hold events in Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver. Their big annual event is the Orcas Island Fly-in https://www.facebook.com/events/107800073425127/, which I haven't participated in yet, but Orcas Island is honestly one of my favourite places to land in the San Juans and you should consider it anyway (aside: number one is AJ Eisenberg for cheap gas and a fun landing). Cascade Flyers are mostly just a Facebook group and an out-of-date website, but a great group of people who know this area. There are many commercial pilots who are members but they also have a strong GA population (hence the fly-in, something Canadian Aviation Pride doesn't do around here).

The only problem I find with both organizations (and I am sure this is partly due to demographics, but does represent a problem within gay organizations in general) are the lack of representation within the LBTQ+ part of LGBTQ+. As with many things aviation they are pretty dude heavy, but the Canadian Aviation Pride meeting I was at was at least racially diverse. It should however be mentioned that the Canadian Aviation Pride group has over 25% female membership which is well above aviation industry norms.

Supporting the growth of General Aviation means supporting diversity. I think BC proves that, the airports that I mentioned at the beginning of this article are dying, the average age in those hangars is probably somewhere between dinosaur and rocks. While GA isn't exactly a boom industry anywhere, I think our presence here in BC and the wider age demographics show that when you are inclusive you gain a younger base and that keeps GA alive.

If these are organizations that interest you you can find the Canadian Aviation Pride at Vancouver Pride in August, and online at aviationpride.ca. You can find Cascade Flyers in Orcas Island July 19th and on their Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeflyers/. These organizations are cooperative and there is no reason you can't join or support both.

Americans can also consider supporting the National Gay Pilot Association (NGPA) who was initially put in this article as the same organization as Aviation Pride. We have updated this post to correct it.

Article By: Travis McCrea (BCGA Director)

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Is Your Fly-In Legal?... Keep the flour in the Pancakes!

6/6/2018

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Photo Credit: Instagram @chugachr

In Canada everything aviation is regulated by the Aeronautics Act and the Canadian Aviation Regulations. Did you know that a fly-in by definition requires special authorization from Transport Canada in accordance with CARS 603.01

CARS 603.01:
603.01 No person shall conduct a special aviation event unless the person complies with the provisions of a special flight operations certificate — special aviation event issued by the Minister pursuant to section 603.02.

Special Aviation Event is defined as:
CAR Part I - General Provisions, Subpart 1 - Interpretation :
"special aviation event" - means an air show, a low level air race, an aerobatic competition, a fly-in or a balloon festival.

Don't fret quite yet your pancake breakfasts are safe and thanks to COPA, Transport Canada (TC) approval is not a required ingredient in your flying club's famous flap jacks.

While a Special Authorization (SFOC) is required by CARS, there is an exemption that was passed by Transport Canada and COPA that allows you to hold a fly-in so long as you adhere to some basic rules.

To make it easy to understand lets just say that you do not require an SFOC so long as the pilots conduct a normal landing, taxi in, shut down, fill their bellies, tell a few lies, start up, taxi out and conduct a normal takeoff and departure. Leave the low goodbye pass to the Snowbirds unless you want a coffee date with your local TC Inspector. Don't get us wrong, TC is not out to get you, they love aviation and want you to have fun but they also want you to do it the right way.

Why all these rules? Lets break it down.

What it really comes down to is protecting the general public. Fly-ins by their very nature involve inviting people to attend an "event". These people may be other pilots or members of the general public but despite the level of their aviation involvement they were invited. Also keep in mind that many TC Civil Aviation Inspectors are also pilots and avid aviation enthusiasts and may be attending the event for their own personal enjoyment.

What activities do not require and TC SFOC under the COPA/TC exemption?
- Fly-Ins where no competitive flying or aerial demonstration will occur.
- Poker Runs

What activities require an SFOC?
Fly-Ins or Events that include (planned or unplanned):
- Aerobatics;
- Competitions;
- High speed low level passes;
- Non-standard circuit procedures;
- Spot landings;
- Flour bombing; or
- Aerial demonstrations.

Getting approval and an SFOC for Flour Bombing, Spot Landings or any of the other activities:
Transport Canada will issue SFOCs for fly-ins that want to spice it up a bit so long as the proper process is followed. The key point being that they want to ensure that the people on the ground are protected and that systems have been put in place to ensure that possible risks have been mitigated.

To obtain an SFOC:
- Allow at least 3 weeks for it to be processed.
- Submit your request to tc.aviationservicespac-servicesaviationpac.tc@tc.gc.ca. Using this email address will time stamp your request and ensure that it is actioned in accordance with TC's internal time standard for dealing with such requests.
- Keep a copy of your request and if need be send a copy to your local TC inspector.

Conclusion:
If you are planning to host or participate in a fly-in, ensure that you are familiar with the CARS and the exemption (attached below). So long as pilots are arriving, having a great day and leaving then you have nothing to worry about. If there is going to be any "spice" added to the event and your gut says "I wonder if this is allowed" then please refer to this article and get the appropriate approvals. TC Inspectors for the most part are also aviation enthusiasts and chances are they will work with you to ensure that your event is safe, enjoyable and entertaining. If in doubt keep it vanilla.

Supporting Information
- EXEMPTION FROM SECTION 603.01 OF THE CANADIAN AVIATION REGULATIONS (PDF)
- COPA GUIDE TO HOSTING FLY-INS & AIR MEETS (LINK)
- CANADIAN AVIATION REGULATIONS (CARS)
- CARS REFERENCES REGARDING SFOCs (SEE BELOW)

Contents of Special Flight Operations Certificate
603.03 A special flight operations certificate — special aviation event shall contain the following information:
(a) the name and address of the certificate holder;
(b) the number of the certificate;
(c) the date of issue of the certificate;
(d) the validity period of the certificate;
(e) the general conditions identified in section 603.04; and
(f) specific conditions with respect to
(i) the types of aircraft authorized to operate at the special aviation event and, if applicable, their registration,
(ii) the names and, if applicable, the qualifications of the flight crew members authorized to participate in the special aviation event, and
(iii) any other condition pertaining to the special aviation event that the Minister deems necessary for aviation safety.

General Conditions of Special Flight Operations Certificate
603.04 A special flight operations certificate — special aviation event shall contain the following general conditions:
(a) the certificate holder shall maintain an adequate management organization;
(b) the certificate holder shall ensure that participants are
(i) qualified for the type of demonstration to be flown, and
(ii) provided with a briefing that meets the Special Flight Operations Standards; and
(c) the certificate holder shall conduct the special aviation event in a safe manner.

Event Management
603.05 No person shall conduct a special aviation event unless the person has a management organization that
(a) is capable of exercising supervision and operational control over
(i) persons attending the special aviation event,
(ii) any flight that is to be operated at the special aviation event; and
(iii) personnel involved in the conduct of the special aviation event whose duties and responsibilities are specified in the Special Flight Operations Standards; and
(b) meets the Special Flight Operations Standards.

Participant and Aircraft Eligibility
603.06 No person shall operate an aircraft or permit an aircraft to be operated in a special aviation event unless the person operating the aircraft and the aircraft
(a) meet the eligibility requirements specified in section 623.06 of the Special Flight Operations Standards; and
(b) are authorized to do so in a special flight operations certificate-special aviation event.

Minimum Safety Distances and Altitudes
603.07 No person shall operate an aircraft in a special aviation event at a distance from, or at an altitude above, a spectator area, a built-up area or an occupied building if that distance or altitude is less than the minimum specified in section 623.07 of the Special Flight Operations Standards.

Weather Conditions
603.08 No person shall operate an aircraft in a special aviation event in weather conditions that are below the minimum conditions specified in the Special Flight Operations Standards.

Participant Briefing
603.09 No person shall operate an aircraft in a special aviation event unless the person has received a participant briefing that meets the Special Flight Operations Standards.

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Pitt Meadows Announces New Airport Manager

6/5/2018

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Pitt Meadows, B.C.; May 22, 2018 ‐ The Pitt Meadows Airport Society announced today the appointment of Guy Miller as General Manager of the Pitt Meadows Regional Airport effective June 18, 2018. The airport has been under temporary management since the departure of Elvio Pecchia on February 1, 2018. Miller was selected from a candidate list of 38 and comes with impressive credentials for the job.

He is a current pilot with 31 years of flying experience. Firstly as an F‐18 fighter pilot and instructor in the Royal Canadian Air Force followed by twelve years in Hong Kong as a Boeing 747 pilot and simulator instructor with Cathay Pacific Airways. On return to Canada in 2005, he was appointed Deputy Manager Langley Regional Airport by the Township of Langley responsible to Airport Manager George Miller, his father. On the latter’s retirement in 2012 he was appointed Manager of the airport.

At Langley Regional Airport Miller has overseen the further development of the airport to its current annual budget revenue of $1.6 million. His effective marketing to private aviation investment and attention to modernizing airport infrastructure has resulted in the growth of its value added benefits to the local community and to the province. Now that the airport is near fully developed and recognized as having the largest number of helicopter companies in Canada and a strong recreational aircraft base, Miller looks forward to a new challenge at Pitt Meadows.

Pitt Meadows Regional Airport has been operating since 1963. The Pitt Meadows Airport Society now owns and operates the airport having assumed its transfer from Transport Canada in May 1999. The Society operates the airport as a non‐profit organization and reinvests all its earnings back into the airport to improve it for the community.

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BCGA Presented The 2018 COPA President's Award

Dave McElroy Elected as First Ever COPA Chairman From BC

Milner Feed & Pet Supply Discount on Mutt Muffs

15% Off Mutt Muffs

Supporting Inclusivity & Diversity in General Aviation

Is Your Fly-In Legal?... Keep the flour in the Pancakes!

Pitt Meadows Announces New Airport Manager

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Categories

Archives

BCGA Presented The 2018 COPA President's Award

Dave McElroy Elected as First Ever COPA Chairman From BC

Milner Feed & Pet Supply Discount on Mutt Muffs

15% Off Mutt Muffs​

Supporting Inclusivity & Diversity in General Aviation

Is Your Fly-In Legal?... Keep the flour in the Pancakes!

Pitt Meadows Announces New Airport Manager

Sponsors

Categories

Archives

15% Off Mutt Muffs