By Candy Taylor, COPA’s Webmaster
Thinking about following that dream of owning an aircraft? The COPA Web site is chock full of valuable pages to view before and after you make a purchase.
Click on “Flying in Canada” and then “Aircraft in Canada”: Here there are pages on where to buy an aircraft or how to get started building your own. Decide which category you would like to view and then start clicking. Under “Ultralights” see an article by Kathy Lubitz titled “Aircraft that ultralight pilots may fly.” You can also view ultralight clubs, manufacturers, distributors, and the “Special Flight Authorizaton for Canadian Basic and Advanced Ultralight Aeroplanes Operating in the United States.”
Under “Certified Aircraft” find a where to buy section, a list of aircraft type clubs and information about the Owner-maintenance Category.
Under “Helicopters” and “Seaplanes” you will find a where to buy section as well.
The “Homebuilt” section begins with information on how to get started building your own aircraft, and the support organizations that can help or assist you: the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Recreational Aircraft Association (RAA). There is also a list of homebuilt aircraft manufacturers and distributors available, a helpful article on MD-RA Inspections, and the “Special Flight Authorization for Canadian Amateur-Built Aircraft Operating in the United States.”
On the Members Only section of COPA’s Web site you can find the “Canadian Plane Trade” link leading you to Canada’s most complete listings of aircraft for sale, parts wanted, and more.
“Pilot Reports” have also been added to the site, under the “Members Only” section. These are aircraft reports from COPA’s monthly newspaper, Canadian Flight including certified, homebuilt, ultralight, and warbird aircraft.
There is a section under “Members Only” devoted to “Buying, Flying and Maintaining” your aircraft. Select this link and you will get a list of engine overhaul shops, avionic shops, propeller overhaul shops, pilot supply shops, aircraft brokers, and aviation insurance brokers.
Also under “Members Only” are “Aviation Guides.” Here there is a “COPA Guide to Buying a Used Aircraft.” There is also a “Guide to estimating aircraft operating costs” and a link for “A Guide to Owner-maintenance.”
Hope this is enough information to get you started on your way to owning an aircraft.