The Nelson Pilots Association (NPA), in
association with COPA Flight 87 Nelson, took on the task of representing the
General Aviation community in the fight to save the Nelson Municipal Airport.
Over the last year they have spent thousands of volunteer hours both on the City
Airport Lands Task Force and making presentations to countless civic and service
groups and organizations.
They also wrote and professionally produced a video about the airport and
authored a comprehensive report, including an economic impact assessment, to be
used at every opportunity to educate the residents and City officials.
Unfortunately the City is still looking at the possibility of either selling the
airport lands or otherwise developing it. So far, the City Task Force has made
only one recommendation and that is to hire an outside consultant to evaluate
all aspects and impacts of redeveloping the airport lands. COPA Flight 87 and
the NPA are committed to continue the fight to save this important general
aviation airport and asked for COPA’s help in the next phase which they believe
will include attempted changes to the Official Community Plan, a City
referendum, and finally a legal resolution. Most of the costs associated with
the promotional efforts have so far been met by individual donations and the NPA
airport fund, however much more is needed, in particular to pay for the
promotional video.
At a recent COPA Board meeting, it was agreed that the cost of the promotional
video is within the guidelines of COPA’s Special Action Fund and so a $6000
contribution will be made from the Fund. In particular, this excellent video
will be useful at other airports to explain and promote their value to the
community - availability of the video will be announced soon.
The Special Action Fund was established in 1978 with a goal of raising $1
million to provide financing “for the education of the general public,
legislators and government departments and officials with respect to matters
relating to general aviation and to promote, protect and advance the interest of
general aviation...”
Through COPA member contributions, the Fund was topped off in 1996 and has since
that time been financing several projects and legal defence actions from the
interest raised on the principle. There has been no need to solicit further
contributions so far.