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…
Aviation doesn’t usually change overnight , but when it does, it often does so quietly. Topics such as: New procedures, clarifications, temporary rules that last longer than expected, or important safety notes. That’s where BeforeYouFly.ca comes in. This service exists for one simple reason: to make sure pilots actually see the information that matters before…
When it comes to IFR currency in Canada, all pilots know the “6-6-6” requirement: Under the current regulations, instrument-rated pilots may go up to 12 months following their instrument proficiency check (IPC) before they are required to conduct any actual or simulated instrument flying. After 12 months, the regulations require pilots to have completed 6 hours of instrument…
Wildfire season in Canada typically runs from May to September. Over the past 20 years of flying, it’s become clear to me that wildfire seasons in Canada have grown not just longer—but more intense. I’m not alone in that view: Natural Resources Canada and multiple peer-reviewed studies agree that 2023 was the worst fire season…
What is a Composite Flight Plan? The composite flight plan is a unique type of flight plan that you can file with ATC that combines both VFR and IFR segments. They are designated by either a “Y” (for IFR first, then VFR) or a “Z” (VFR first, then IFR) in item 8 of the ICAO…