Terry Wilshire
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Four years ago I was asked by the retiring director for B.C./Yukon Tony Swain to run as his successor as a candidate for the COPA Board. I was concerned that my aviation experience and exposure was more political than practical, but was surprised to discover that a significant majority of COPA members in B.C./Yukon felt that this was not a problem and voted accordingly.
My time as your director on the COPA board has been both challenging and rewarding. I have been privileged to work with a board that has a clear understanding of the priorities in Canada for general aviation, preserving and enhancing our freedom to fly.
In 2008 I was elected by the board to serve as vice-chairman for the Western Region and continued as a member of the COPA Board Executive.
In addition, I was appointed as COPA’s representative to work with the Integrated Security Unit for the 2010 Olympics Winter Games. The task was to be a watch dog for General Aviation, lobbying for practicality and reason for the security measures that were being proposed.
As chair of the Delta Heritage Airpark volunteer administration committee, I am privy to, and involved with the on going development of airspace in the Pacific Region, specifically that adjoining the Vancouver Terminal Area.
I would welcome continuing as your B.C./Yukon director, but it is important that COPA members be aware of my health situation. Last September I was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). This condition can strike the body in a variety of ways and I am fortunate that in my case it has started in the lower limbs requiring that from time to time I use a wheel chair for more extensive sojourns. ALS affects only the neuromuscular functions of the body and to the end the brain remains unaffected.
I have no doubt that I can continue to serve as an effective member of the COPA team, and look forward to the challenge of preserving and improving General Aviations freedom to fly.
We claim a heritage of courageous endeavor that has made an outstanding contribution to the development of this vast, wonderful country, but we must diligently continue the fight, and I would be proud to be elected once again as your COPA representative.