Correction (Apr. 2026): An earlier version of this post incorrectly suggested the new IFR recency requirements came into force in May 2026. On review of SOR/2025-241 and the consolidated Canadian Aviation Regulations, the amendments to CAR 401.05 came into force on December 17, 2025. The May timing appears to have arisen from confusion with delayed…
Nav Canada just published AIC 008/2026, which outlines the airspace restrictions in Toronto during the FIFA Men’s World Cup period (June 12 to July 7, 2026). VFR Flight Restrictions VFR Flights will not be permitted in the CYTZ control zone for 6 hours during game days. An exception will only be made for Medevac flights…
General aviation is entering a period of real change. The transition away from leaded avgas is gaining momentum, with the United States targeting a phase-out by 2030. For many aircraft, 100LL remains essential today, but that reality is beginning to shift. Replacement fuels are emerging, but they bring questions around certification, availability, and cost. Canadian…
Aviation is one of the rare communities where knowledge moves forward person-to-person. Through instructors, mentors, and the countless hangar conversations that shape how we fly and how we think about aviation. That tradition is powerful. But it only works if the next generation feels welcomed and sees a clear reason to participate. Many new pilots…
Over the past few weeks I’ve been reaching out to COPA Flights across Southern Ontario. My goal has been simple: listen to what local chapters are seeing on the ground. One reply I received recently stuck with me. The writer explained that many members of their Flight don’t own aircraft. For them, the chapter functions…
Aviation has always been built on community. Pilots share knowledge, help each other learn, and pass experience from one generation to the next. Organizations like COPA exist to support that community, but the way members engage with organizations is changing. Advancing modern member engagement doesn’t mean replacing what already works. Local COPA Flights, fly-ins, and…
ADS-B was mandated in the USA by the FAA on January 1, 2020. Within the following airspace: This applies to any aircraft in the United States airspace, regardless of registration. This effectively means that Canadian aircraft flying along the USA/Canada border cannot enter US airspace unless they have an ADS-B transponder. The FAA was able…
Effective advocacy isn’t about volume. It’s about credibility, preparation, and sustained engagement. For COPA to remain influential, we must strengthen communication between national leadership and local COPA Flights. Chapters are where general aviation actually lives: on the ramp, in the hangar, at monthly meetings. Advocacy is strongest when local concerns are heard early and reflected…
Good governance isn’t sexy or flashy and it doesn’t make headlines. When it’s working well, most members never think about it. But when governance becomes unclear, when roles blur, oversight weakens, or decisions aren’t transparent, trust in the organization erodes quickly. A board’s responsibility is not to run day-to-day operations, micromanage staff, or be a…
The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) is the national voice for general aviation in Canada. For decades, it has worked to protect airport access, advocate with government, promote safety, and support a strong community of Canadian pilots. Serving on the COPA Board of Directors is both a privilege and a responsibility. Directors provide governance…