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Canadian Owners and Pilots
Association (COPA)
"For over forty years, COPA has used its
resources to promote aviation so that Canadians may progress
economically and socially through benefits that the airplane will
continue to provide."
- Belt of Orion Award citation,1993
The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association is a
membership-driven organization that is recognized as the voice of
general aviation in Canada. COPA supports and defends the right of
Canadians to enjoy the freedom to fly. The idea of forming a non-profit,
democratically constituted organization to represent pilots and aircraft
owners was conceived in April of 1952. Letters patent were issued over
the seal of the Secretary of State for Canada in 1954.
COPA represents the collective view of pilots and
private aircraft operators to all levels and branches of government, to
other organizations and to the public.
One of COPA's main functions is the dissemination of
aviation information to its members. In 1954, COPA began publishing a
monthly COPA newsletter and a magazine titled "Canadian
Flight". In 1964, COPA started a monthly newspaper called
"Canadian General Aviation News". Over the next 30 years, the
newspaper expanded to become a forum for all general aviation in Canada
from ultralight flying to corporate aviation. In 1994, the newspaper,
which had become the largest aviation publication in Canada, was renamed
"Canadian Flight". At that time, COPA began publishing its
"Canadian Flight Annual", a unique directory of information
for flying in Canada.
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The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association is
governed by a board of directors, either elected or appointed.
Geographical regions across Canada are represented by directors who are
nominated and elected by members. Other directors are appointed to
represent specialized aviation associations. Aside from essential travel
expenses, COPA's directors serve without financial compensation. The
head office of the organization is in Ottawa, Ontario.
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COPA provides services for specialty aviation groups.
In 1957, COPA formed the first volunteer civilian search and rescue
organization, called the Emergency Air Corps. In the early 1960's, COPA
assisted with the formation and the initial administration of the
Canadian Business Aircraft Association. In 1985, COPA agreed to supply
the Ultralight Pilots Association of Canada with a monthly newspaper.
COPA assumed the administration of the Canadian Seaplane Association in
1996.
A network of local chapters of COPA, called COPA
Flights, was started in 1964. By 1997, there were over forty COPA
Flights fostering recreational aviation in local communities across
Canada. In 1995 COPA Flights became official participants in the Young
Eagles Program, an Experimental Aircraft Association initiative to offer
youngsters age 8 to 17 an aviation experience, including a flight.
The COPA Flight Safety Foundation, funded by member
donations, was established to assist the promotion of pilot safety
through seminars and a Flight Safety Bulletin published in Canadian
Flight.
The COPA Special Action Fund, established in the late
1970's by long-time President Russ Beach, is also funded by member
donations. This fund pays legal expenses incurred from contesting
actions which are considered to be contrary to the best interests of
aviation. In 1997, the fund topped $1million.
COPA is the Trustee of the Governor General's Cup.
This is awarded annually to the
winner of a national amateur air rally. This rally is held in various
parts of Canada, often in conjunction with COPA's annual convention.
COPA maintains a system of annual awards to recognize
excellence in aviation in Canada. The association's top honour is the
COPA President's Award, presented annually to the person or persons who
made a significant contribution to general aviation in Canada in recent
years.
COPA holds an annual convention and general meeting,
giving members an opportunity to get together, learn more about aviation
and to give feedback directly to the association's directors. This
format is repeated at less formal regional events called COPA
Rendezvous.
In 1995 COPA set up a Memorial Scholarship in Neil
Armstrong's name, to be awarded to a student who has maintained a high
standard of achievement and leadership. The first scholarship was
presented at the COPA Annual General Meeting in Hamilton, Ontario, in
1996. Neil Armstrong was a long-time member of COPA, and one of its
early Presidents. He was inducted as a Member of Canada's Aviation Hall
of Fame in 1974.
The Belt of Orion Award for Excellence was bestowed
upon the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association in 1993.
Website:
www.copanational.org
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