Strengthening COPA for the Future of Canadian Aviation

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 and strategic oversight, ensuring the organization remains financially sound, mission-focused, and responsive to members. Board members help shape advocacy priorities, guide long-term planning, and steward COPA’s role as a respected national leader for general aviation.

I am seeking a position on the COPA Board of Directors because I care deeply about the future of general aviation in Canada. As an active aircraft owner and engaged GA pilot, I’ve experienced firsthand the freedom, responsibility, and community that aviation provides. I believe COPA plays a critical role in protecting that freedom — and in ensuring it remains accessible and relevant for the next generation of pilots.

I am not running to disrupt what works. I am running because I believe we can build on COPA’s strong foundation and thoughtfully prepare it for the challenges and opportunities ahead. The decisions we make today will shape how general aviation is perceived, protected, and sustained for decades to come.

General aviation is evolving. Regulatory frameworks are shifting. Municipal pressures on airports continue. Public conversations around aviation increasingly include climate and sustainability. At the same time, demographics are changing, and expectations around communication and engagement look very different than they did twenty years ago.

These realities are not crises. They are conditions. And conditions require preparation.

If elected, I would focus my efforts around four key pillars.

If you care about the future of general aviation in Canada, becoming a COPA member is one of the most direct ways to support it. Membership strengthens our collective voice and helps protect the freedoms we value.

Voting in this year’s Board election runs from March 30 and close on April 10, 2026. I encourage all eligible members to take part. Information on how to vote will be sent to your email.

Pillar 1: Stronger, Smarter Advocacy

Protecting airport access and ensuring fair regulation remain fundamental. Advocacy is not optional — it is core to COPA’s mission.

However, effective advocacy in the years ahead will require even stronger coordination and clarity. I would support strengthening communication between national leadership and local COPA Flights when airports face municipal or development pressure. Clear toolkits, shared messaging guidance, and better coordination can empower members to act confidently and effectively.

I also believe advocacy outcomes should be communicated clearly and consistently to members. Transparency around progress, challenges, and impact builds trust and engagement.

Defending aviation freedoms requires professionalism, data, and foresight. We must anticipate emerging policy issues before they escalate and ensure COPA remains a respected and credible voice with government at all levels.

Pillar 2: Advancing Modern Member Engagement

COPA has already taken important steps toward modernizing member engagement, and that work deserves recognition. My goal would not be to disrupt that progress, but to help accelerate and strengthen it.

Expectations have changed. Members increasingly value responsive communication, accessible digital resources, and meaningful opportunities to contribute.

I would support continued investment in improving the member portal experience, strengthening feedback mechanisms such as structured member surveys, and exploring mentorship connections that pair experienced aviators with newer pilots.

Segmented communications — ensuring students, float operators, owners, and renters receive relevant information — can help members feel seen and supported.

Modernization is not about replacing tradition. It is about reinforcing it with stronger infrastructure and clearer connection.

Pillar 3: Welcoming and Reflecting the Next Generation

If general aviation is to thrive long-term, we must actively engage younger pilots and those who do not yet see themselves represented in leadership.

That means expanding outreach through flight schools and training organizations. It means exploring structured pathways for student involvement and mentorship. It may include creating advisory opportunities for younger members to provide perspective to leadership.

It also means ensuring that COPA’s communications and events reflect the full breadth of today’s aviation community — students, renters, builders, bush pilots, entrepreneurs, and innovators alike.

Generational renewal is not about replacing experience. It is about extending it.

An organization that reflects its entire community is stronger, more united, and better positioned for the future.

Pillar 4: Preparing for Sustainability and Long-Term Relevance

Climate change and sustainability conversations are increasingly influencing aviation policy and public perception. Ignoring that reality will not protect general aviation.

Instead, COPA has an opportunity to approach these discussions thoughtfully and constructively.

That means supporting balanced, evidence-based conversations around fuel innovation, climate change, operational efficiency, and emerging technologies. It means ensuring general aviation is part of national discussions about environmental impact — not excluded from them.

We must demonstrate that Canadian general aviation contributes to remote connectivity, emergency response, economic development, and pilot training. We should support innovation while defending realistic, practical pathways for private pilots and small operators.

Preparing for the future requires engagement, not avoidance.

By participating proactively in sustainability discussions, COPA strengthens its credibility and long-term influence.

What I Bring

I am an active aircraft owner and engaged GA pilot. I understand the operational realities of flying in Canada. Like many pilots, I’ve experienced the freedom and responsibility that aviation demands — and the community it creates.

My professional background in technology and strategy has given me experience working with systems, long-term planning, and data-informed decision-making. I believe in thoughtful governance, financial responsibility, and collaborative leadership.

I am not running to dismantle what exists. I am running because I believe COPA can build on its strong foundation and continue evolving with clarity and confidence.

A Balanced Path Forward

The next decade will require steadiness and adaptability in equal measure.

COPA must remain a strong defender of airport access and aviation freedoms. At the same time, it must continue modernizing engagement, welcoming new pilots, and addressing emerging challenges such as climate policy and demographic change with credibility.

We can honour COPA’s legacy while preparing it for what comes next.

If elected, I would work collaboratively with fellow directors, staff, and members to strengthen advocacy impact, advance modernization efforts already underway, and help position COPA as both a defender of general aviation and a forward-looking national leader.

COPA’s strength has always come from engaged members and steady leadership. I am committed to contributing both.

If you have any questions or comments about my platform or COPA in general. Don’t hesitate to email me at: me@blakecrosby.com.