For the second year in a row the BC General Aviation Association has been invited to attend and display at Waypoints Aviation Connections, a networking event organized by the students of Vancouver’s universities for those interested in pursuing a career in the aviation industry.

First held in September of 2015, the event featured nearly 100 students and 30 corporate representatives, and was considered a resounding success by its participants. The attending companies included some of the best-recognized airlines in the country, as well as numerous local firms and government organizations.

Attendees have the opportunity to connect with a number of current and future leaders of the industry, and may even develop relationships that could lead to future employment opportunities. Food will be provided, refreshments will be served and a photographer will be capturing every moment of the night.

The event’s corporate attendees include:
-Pacific Coastal Airlines
-Pacific Flying Club
-Air Canada
-InterVistas Consulting
-Transportation Safety Board of Canada
-TetraTech
-BC Aviation Council
-Aviation Leadership Foundation
-Transport Canada
-BC General Aviation Association
-Canadian Owners' and Pilot's Association (COPA)
-And more!

Below is a tentative schedule of the evening:
6:00pm – Registration
6:30pm – Opening Remarks
6:45pm – Networking Period #1
7:30pm – Pacific Flying Club's Presentation
7:45pm – Networking Period #2
8:45pm – Key Note Speech
9:00pm – Closing Remarks

Organizing Committee:

David Cojocar, Chair
Rebecca Yao, Director of Corporate Relations
Samuel Chung, Director of Marketing
Matthew Mui, BCIT Representative
Eddy Chiang, SFU Representative
Derek Magalhaes, UFV Representative
Brian Lau, IT Consultant

Contact:
Email: waypointaviation@gmail.com
Twitter: @waypointconnect

http://vancouver.carpediem.cd/events/1022299-waypoint-aviation-connections-2016-at-simon-fraser-university-sfu-at-harbour-centre/

BC has a new COPA Flight. Please join us in welcoming COPA Flight 197 Sunshine Coast! It is great to see General Aviation gaining momentum in British Columbia.

​Please join them on Saturday September 24th at 1500 at the Sechelt Airport at COPA 197 officially receives their flight status in a presentation by COPA directors Tim Cole and Joe Hessberger.

​If any of you are out flying this weekend please consider stopping in to Sechelt and showing them some support. It's great to see General Aviation gaining momentum in BC and an early congrats to COPA Flight 197 from COPA Flight 194!

At the AGM in August we told our members that for the last year we have been using the coffee can method of accounting for keeping track of Association expense. On September 21st 2016 the BC General Aviation Association opened an account with Coast Capital Savings. The account is a free business chequing account for not for profit societies. Three BCGA directors have signing authority on the account. 

As always, transparency is very important to us. All members can view all contributions and expenses by visiting the BCGA Dollars & Cents page of this website. 

Thank you for your continued support.

​BCGA Leadership.

The fine folks of Texada Island have left bikes at the airport for pilots to use when they visit. Please use them responsibly to visit and tour around the Island. Please consider leaving a contribution to help maintain them and keep this service going for pilots. If you live somewhere else and would like to get a similar program going at your airport we would like to hear from you and could lend a hand getting it organized. 

Copied from the September 2016 Issue of COPA Flight Magazine
Written By: COPA BC/YUKON Director Tim Cole
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COPA FLIGHT 194 A NEW PHENOMENON

The B.C. General Aviation Association/ COPA Flight 194, a B.C.-registered, not-for -profit society, received it’s COPA Flight status on March 26th, 2016. The amazing fact is that they signed up their 500th member in July! Ryan Van Haren, a Nav Canada IFR Controller, ATPL qualified pilot, and taildragger owner, is the spark plug behind the organization. He is backed up by a board of B.C. directors that hail from both the Lower Mainland and the Interior.

So what draws such a following to the new kid on the B.C. block? The answer is that it’s the result of use of social media, the internet, and an enthusiastic group of B.C. aviators. They are also drawing quite a few members from Alberta and the Western USA.

There is no signup fee, however donations and sponsors are most welcome. The BCGA’s Web site is very professional and can be found at bcaviation.ca. They also have a very active Facebook page. The amount of traffic on their Facebook page is incredible and this seems to be a key factor in their success. 

“The B.C. General Aviation Association is not meant to replace your local flying club,” the group’s Web site says. “One of the primary objectives of the association is to work with the flying clubs across the province to cross-promote club events so members of different clubs come together at various events.”

​I highly recommend that you visit their website and Facebook page, to enjoy the dialogue and view the benefits of joining up. One of their primary benefits is their B.C. Airstrip Map. This comprehensive online chart, is constantly being updated and lists many of B.C.’s little known backcountry aerodromes. By the time you read this, the BCGA will have held their first AGM, that was hosted by the Abbottsford Flying Club/COPA Flight 83, on August 25th.
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Many general aviation clubs and organizations struggle to get new members in and younger folks to join up. The BCGA Association seems to have struck a chord by tapping into social media venue. Well done to the board of directors and the members who are making this new made-in-B.C. organization can be proud of their achievements and I’m sure we will be seeing more good news in the future. 

(Click Title To View Minutes Embedded On Website)