Taking responsibility

By Bob Kirkby

When I started flying in 1982 it never entered my mind there would be so many forces working against me - and I’m not talking about gravity and drag.

I always thought aviation, particularly general aviation, was integral to the fabric of this great nation of ours; an important part of our heritage.

Little did I know our government, who staunchly claimed ownership over all things aviation, would gradually start selling and commercializing pieces here and there, would start abdicating control of pieces to lower level governments and start arbitrarily chiseling away at airspace in the name of security.

If you read the President’s column regularly and our Newsletter section you will understand where the forces come from that are changing the face of aviation.

COPA works hard to counter these challenges and maintain Canada’s heritage of affordable personal aviation. However, the challenges are coming at an ever increasing rate and even with 18,000 members we are struggling to cover all the bases. That’s why every member, in fact every pilot, needs to be proactive in promoting personal aviation in this country.

With continual pressures from all levels of government to reduce funding, push costs onto the users and cut overhead our challenges are becoming more and more political in nature. Whether it’s an airport closure at the municipal level, lake access restrictions at the provincial level, or airspace restriction at the national level, the solutions don’t lie so much with the regulators as with the politicians.

That means turning our small number of votes into a large number of votes. We need the general public’s support. You can make that happen.

For starters, when your COPA Flight or flying club organizes a fly-in breakfast, airport open house, or a young eagles day don’t forget to invite the local politicians, your local MP, and the media. If you offer rides to the public in exchange for a donation to a local charity make up a big sign so everyone knows you’re doing it for charity.

When they see the wonderful things you are doing for the people in the community you will win more, very important, votes. But don’t be discouraged if they don’t show up the first time. Keep inviting them and eventually they will turn up.

Be a constant ambassador for personal aviation by wearing your COPA lapel pin. You’ll be surprised at how much that draws people out from a crowd. I wear mine when I’m at any sort of function. Even at formal affairs I stick it on my tux.

I’ve been the butt of this old joke a few times, “How can you pick out a pilot in a crowded room? He/she tells you so.”

By flashing my wings around I get invited to spill the beans without being accused by my wife of talking flying all the time.

Don’t be shy about being a pilot, be proud and show it. If you have the opportunity to meet a local politician at a function, or even when they are campaigning, ask if they’ve ever flown in a small aircraft. Then invite them for a flight or invite them to the next fly-in at your airport. Do the same with the media.

A great way to repay someone for a kindness, if they show an interest in flying, is to buy them a COPA membership. You’ll be giving a gift, boosting our membership and promoting personal aviation all at the same time.

If you or your fellow pilots support Hope Air, or if your COPA Flight provides other forms of service, don’t keep it a secret. Let everyone know how personal aviation is helping people in need. You may feel like you’re bragging but those listening will be fascinated and personal aviation will benefit.

The bottom line is we all need to pull together to thwart the ignorance and poor attitudes much of the general public and our elected politicians have developed towards personal aviation.

Individually and collectively we are all responsible for insuring personal aviation in Canada is kept alive and well. Don’t sit back thinking that someone else will take care of everything. Take responsibility in your corner.

There are many other ideas on promoting personal aviation in the COPA Guides on our website. Have a look and select a few that work for you. If you have some ideas to share drop me an email at bkirkby@copanational.org.