PAST AWARDS

COPA President's Award

COPA’s top honor is presented annually to the person(s) who has made the most significant contribution to general aviation in Canada in recent years.

2006: Kathy Fox of Gatineau, QC.  President's Award.  For her passion for all sectors of aviation.
2005: The Calgary Flying Club, Springbank, Alberta – Giving wings to Canadians since 1927
2004: Springfield Flying Club - For fostering a positive and growth attitude for GA. John T Williams accepting
2003: Lloyd Richards - Outstanding ambassador for General Aviation
2002: Bill Carter of St. Albert, Alta. - For being an outstanding ambassador for General Aviation
2001: Hope Air Volunteer Pilots of Canada - Patient delivery program
2000: Rem Walker, EAACC - Regina, Sask. - For Outstanding support of COPA and private flying in Canada.
1999: Ben McCarty, in Fredericton, N.B., executive secretary of the Canadian Federation of AME Associations - He was instrumental in delivering the Owner-maintenance Aircraft Category and worked with COPA chairman Herb Cunningham to develop the new propeller overhaul requirements.

The COPA Award of Merit is presented annually to the person(s) whose meritorious actions are both admired by, and reflective of, the Spirit of COPA.

2006: Syd Vollmin of Sundre, AB. Award of Merit. For being an outstanding advocate for Sundre Airport.     

2006: Bruce Prior of Burnaby, BC. Award of Merit. For being a tireless volunteer at Delta Heritage Airpark.
2005: Bob Fassold of Ottawa, Ont. – The magical Chipmunk guy
2005: Ray Fiset of Quebec City, Quebec – A lifetime promotion of personal flying
2005: Cheryl Marek of Oshawa, Ontario – A champion of personal aviation
2005: Garth Wallace of Merrickville, Ontario – For sharing the fun of flight
2005: Phil Englishman of Hanover, Ontario – Making thing happen for general aviation
2004: John Baker - For dogged & determined negotiations with BC Parks
2003: Ivor David - Incredible organizer of EVERYTHING for flying folk
2003: John Scholefield - Generous support of aviation ‘Beyond The Call’ at Cedars Airport
2002: Bob Robertson of Abbotsford, B.C. - For being an outstanding leader in the local and Canadian Aviation community
2002: Chris Ryder of Roxbury, NJ, USA. - For your selfless heroic action on 9 September 2002 in responding to an aircraft accident
2002: Steve Nunn of  North Vancouver, B.C. - For being outstanding defenders of BC Parks Access, BC Floatplane Association/COPA Flight 72
2002: Michelle Goodeve of Conn, Ont. - For The Extraordinary Widget
2001: Blain Fowler, Outstanding leadership of local and national aviation community
2001: Ken McNeill, Outstanding contribution to personal and general aviation
2000: Mike Daniels, Fort Erie, Ont.  - Founding member of CASARA
2000: Dr. Bill Williams, Ottawa, Ont.  - Hearts and pilots
1999: Eunice Carter, of Carleton Place, Ont. - Eunice Carter has almost single-handedly brought back into the highlight one of Canada's most prestigious aviation awards, the Webster Memorial Trophy.
1999: Dorothy Berthelet, Ottawa, Ont. - Dorothy Berthelet has anchored the effort to establish the Canadian Precision Flight Team.

COPA Appreciation Award

The COPA Appreciation Award is presented to the person(s) who has performed on-going service and support to general aviation through the years.

2006 winners:
Michael Doiron of Dartmouth, NS. Award of Appreciation. For being a dedicated advocate of aviation safety.
Guy Doherty of Owen Sound, ON. Award of Appreciation. For your major contribution to local aviation.
Ron Stokes of Wellington, ON. Award of Appreciation. For being ever diligent for our aviation community.
Barry Hart of Haliburton, ON. Award of Appreciation. For his many years contributing "Flying with Hart" column for COPA Flight.
Ross Smyth of Montreal, QC. Award of Appreciation. For his many years contributing "Our Flying Heritage" column for COPA Flight.

2005 winners:
Brett Binnie of Wetaskiwin, Alberta – Aviation enthusiast extraordinaire
Kelly Ramey of Wiarton, Ontario – The Young Eagles thank you!
Gary Peare of Surrey, British Columbia – A supercalipragalistic expialidosius fly guy!
Walt Lannon of Oliver, British Columbia – Magnificent effort to preserve warbirds.
Lance Ferguson of Penticton, British Columbia – Club booster par excellance!)
Michael Gillespie of Winnipeg, Manitobia – Great enthusiasm for Flying Colours Pilot Program.
Conrad Hatcher of St. Catharines, Ontario – Mentor extraordinaire to new pilots
Patti Gamble of St. Catharines, Ontario – Tireless worker for the flying club
Mike Neave of St. Catharines, Ontario – Most enthusiastic club manager
COPA Flight 23, North Bay, Ontario – Outstanding Canadian youth aviation programs. Award accepted by COPA Director Peter Martin.
Marilyn and Percy Affleck of Auchinleck, Prince Edward Island – A true flying family

2004 winners:
The Calgary Airport Authority - Recognizes the needs and contributions of GA in Canada
Carol Cooke - An articulate ambassador for COPA
Ron Cooper - For his efforts to develop the South River Airport
Harold Fly -  Believes in saving airports by direct action
Wayne Juniper - A most helpful and dedicated public servant
Andy Woodham - For his sense of dedication to aviation and the community
Mike Bourget - Works hard to improve pilot's understanding of the ATC system

2003 winners:
Bill Bissonette - Providing a friendly oasis for G/A
Charlie Sears - For Tofield’s friendly airport
Neil Rutherford - Tireless volunteer for the Calgary Flying Club
Al & Barb Fielder - Tireless workers for the Young Eagles Program
Harry Pride - Enthusiastic encouragement to new pilots
Jerry Wilcox - Aviation volunteer and builder extra-ordinaire!
Arthur Van Maurik - Indefatigable promoter of General Aviation in Nova Scotia
Dave Wilson - Dedicated to General Aviation at Halifax
Doug & Marion Sykes - Tireless workers for local General Aviation
Terry Morris - Mr. Availability, A real airplane mechanic guy
Association des Pilotes de Brousse du Quebec - Energetic promotion and support of General Aviation

2002 winners:
Peter James of Scarborough, Ont. - For your generous support for new aviators
Glenn Campbell of Belleville, Ont. - For being a dedicated recreational aviation volunteer
John Quarterman of Kanata Ont. - For your tireless devotion to General Aviation in Ottawa
Julia Henderson, The Helicopter Company, Toronto, Ont. - For ensuring the future of Toronto City Centre Airport
Ron Evans of Blenheim, Ont. - For passing along the gift of flight
Dr. Jim Trembath of Aldergrove, B.C. - For being the "Doc" and everything!
David Crerar of Vernon, B.C. - For your tireless encouragement of General Aviation

2001 winners:
Jim Williams, Calgary Flying Club, Longtime dedicated supporter
Jerry Mulder, Red Deer, Alta., Dedicated professional aviation volunteer
Rob Edge, Calgary Flying Club, longtime CASARA and flying club supporter
Stuart Simpson, Calgary, Alta., Support of ultralight and general aviation
George Miller, Outstanding manager of Langley Township’s fine airport
Stan Hawkins, P.E.I. and Toronto, Generous promoter of aviation
Frank Richter, Martensville, Sask., For his vision to share Richter Field
Phil Chatterton, Supporter CASARA, Air Cadets and Stanley Sport Aviation
Murray Ward, Goderich, Ont., Pilot enthusiast extraordinaire

2000 winners:
Jerry Lloyd, Vancouver, B.C. -  BCAC: A friend indeed
Mike Biden, Penticton, B.C. - Outstanding member
Ron Townson, Penticton, B.C.  - Young Eagle effort
Janet Keim, Saskatchewan - Commercial Pilot Diploma Course at SIAST
Al Hiebert, Saskatchewan -  Outstanding innovation in an education aviation course at Walter Murray College
Fred and Marilyn Bruinsma, Goderich, Ont. - Real airport people, COPA Flight 45
Aviation Quarterly, Ottawa, Ont. - Aviation publication excellence
Lois and Dale Tisdale, Kingston, Ont. - Airport Christmas and everything
Neil Macdougall, Ottawa, Ont.  - Aviation writer
Remi and Jacinthe Desert, Lachute, Que. - Welcoming airport custodians
Carlos Palacio, St. Hubert, Que. - Instructor especiale
Denis Veilleux, St. Julie, Que.
Neil and Dr. Kirstin Kelly, Lindsay, Ont.

1999 winners:
Alex Smith, Windsor, Ont. - Alex Smith has provided 16 years of personal and financial support to the Windsor Flying Club and its members.John Lovelace, British Columbia,  for the TV show "Wings over Canada" portrays floatplanes in particular as a rational and fun way to travel the west coast and through the mountains.
Major Claude Roy, Carp, Ont., for his dedication to ultralights. As an ultralight owner and instructor, he has introduced many to aviation. He is president of the International Challenger Owner Association of Canada.
Discovery Channel for the "Flight Path" TV show - Discovery Channel's "Flight Path" has spread good public relations about general and recreational flying into thousands of homes across Canada.
Western Canada Aviation Museum, Winnipeg, Manitoba for their encouragement and support of the fabulous Fokker Universal restoration and the display of this historic aircraft in their magnificent museum facilities.
Wilf and Yvonne Hirning, Calgary, Alta. - Wilf and Yvonne have been around the Calgary Flying Club since 1969 when Wilf was building a Cavalier, and he needed a pilot licence! Yvonne has put in countless hours at club social events dishing up food, cleaning things up and generally taking care of business. 
Glen Priestley, Ottawa, Ont., for the exceptional and effective enthusiasm he has applied to general aviation while working at COPA and since joining the staff at ATAC.
Dennis (Nick) Christianson, Nimpo Lake, B.C., for his work for the B.C. Floatplane Association. Nick has served as vice-president of the BCFA since its beginning. 
Jack Schofield, Victoria, B.C., for Aviator Magazine. Jack publishes a people level magazine about flying, and all the fascinating human, natural, and mechanical quirks that makes up our hobby.
Bill Davidson, Kamloops, B.C., for his work for B.C. Floatplane Association. As BCFA past president, Bill has done a lot of work starting up the association and opening communications with the government parks departments.
Andy Guenette, Goderich, Ont. - COPA Flight 45 received its charter in May of 1996 with Taylor Lambert as Captain. Andy became the newsletter editor. He designed, wrote, and published the newsletter informing the members of events past and future.
Sandy Wellman, Goderich, Ont. - The Goderich area is rich with enthusiastic general aviation. Sandy is active in Goderich COPA Flight 45 and a respected aviation supporter.
Stue Fairchild, Truro, N.S., for his dedicated hours of time and effort to promote aviation. Stue is presently manager of the Truro Flying Club.
Rick Mosher, Victoria, B.C. - Rick has built a number of award winning airplanes and is the inspector for homebuilt aircraft on Vancouver Island. He has been doing the inspections for years at no charge.

Any number of awards presented to individuals for any exceptional activity similar to the following: Most Remarkable Flight, Outstanding Contribution to Aviation Safety, Friendliest Airport, Outstanding Action by Linecrew / Mechanic / Flightcrew, etc. The Good Show Award is designed to recognize a single outstanding action by an individual or small group in General Aviation in Canada.

2006 Winner:

Dave Bell of Victoria, BC. Good Show Award. For sweet grapes and daffodils at Delta.

2004 winners:
Louiseville Fly-in Committee - For Labour Day at Louisvile
Judy Cooper - For saving vintage flying at St. Lazare Airport
Jack Brown - For saving vintage flying at St. Lazare Airport

2003 winners:
Brian Pinsent - Moncton’s unsung techie magician!
Gerry Benoit - Moncton’s pilot’s friend especiale!

2002 winners:
Const. Gary Davidson of the Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa, Ont. - For co-founding with Const. Jacques Brunelle the Ottawa Airport Watch Program
Const. Jacques Brunelle of Ottawa, Ont. - For co-founding with Const. Gary Davidson the Ottawa Airport Watch Program
Rick Dion of Delta, B.C. - For being aviation's hospitable "Mr. Fixit" and Camp SeaBee
Alberta Aviation Council of Calgary, Alta. - For co-producing with the Alberta Learning, the "Thrill of Flight" aviation resource
Alberta Learning of Alta. - For co-producing with Alberta Aviation Council the "Thrill of Flight" aviation resource
CS CO-OP of Ottawa, Ont. - For creating the Pilot Training Loan Program
Bill Doran of Hudson, Que. - For being an enthusiastic organizer of General Aviation happenings

2001 winners:
Jim Young, Boundary Bay, B.C., Attentive and enthusiastic instruction
Gary West, Kaledon, B.C., B.C. Pilots Breakfast Club newsletter
Sandy Tinsley, Chilliwack, B.C., Irrepressible promoter of Museum of Flight
Shane Zbrodoff, Calgary, Alta., Pilots to Pilots Web site
Jim Fritz, COPA Unicom Truck, Maintenance and co-ordination wizard
Goran Varga, Peterborough, Ont., The Cockpit Restaurant and hospitality

2000 winners:
Tom Coates, Saskatoon, Sask.  - Vintage restorations
Sven Talo, Thompson, Man.  - Respected builder/enthusiast
Sean White, Kingston, Ont.  - School projects
Brian Leonard, Ottawa, Ont.

1999 winners:
Eamonn Flynn, Rockwood, Ont., for establishing and operating the Toronto Aviation & Aircraft Show. TAAS promotes and showcases general aviation. Eamonn is responsible for bringing the major Canadian GA suppliers and supporters together under one roof for a spring-time launch of the recreational flying season.
Sue Davidson, Hamilton, Ont. - Sue is a general aviation licencing specialist at the Transport Canada District Office at the Hamilton Airport. She has earned a n unprecedented reputation for being knowledgeable, helpful and sunny.
David Mapplebeck, Calgary, Alta. - David is a member of the Calgary Flying Club where he has given very unselfishly of his time and expertise to the furtherance of recreational aviation in the Calgary area.
Gilles Boulanger, Sherbrooke, Que., for organizing Les Faucheurs des Marguerites annual fly-in at Sherbrooke for the last six years. Most days Gilles can be found at the Sherbrooke Airport where he lives the spirit of grass roots aviation year round.

The COPA Achievement Award recognizes an admirable and remarkable individual effort in aviation, something special that the rest of us consider a great effort.

2006: Barry Parker of Singhampton, ON. Award of Achievement. For being an aviation champion extra-ordinaire.

2006: David Buckingham of Woodstock, NB. Award of Achievement. For being the quintessential wing nut.
2005: Mike and Rona Powerznik of Morinville, Alberta – Ultralight Central – Down on the farm
2005: Bill Dunn of Ottawa, Ontario – For Search HQ
2004: Jack Peacock - For keeping the old cubs flying
2004: Murphy Aviation - A world leader in kit built aircraft for fun
2003: Godfey Pasmore - Outstanding contribution to preserving our aviation heritage 
2003: Howard Parr - For ‘Parr International’ – The flying place for flying people!
2002: Patricia Crocker of London, Ont. - For following and sharing your flying dreams
2002: Robert  Cameron of Whitehorse, Yukon - For a lifetime of dedication to aviation in the Yukon
2002: Mark Kisielius of Brockville, Ont. - For inspiration and enthusiasm at Brockville  Byron Boone
2001: Canadian Museum of Flight, Magnificent restoration of Waco CF-CCW
2001: G.V.R.D. Parks, Grass roots flying at Delta Heritage Air Park
2000: Chandru Narwani - Edmonton, Alta.
2000: Don Macpherson Outstanding Innovation in Education Aviation Course at Walter Murray College, Sask.
1999: Jack Johnson, Edmonton, Alberta, for restoration and flying a 1918 Curtiss Jenny.
1999: Clark Seaborne, Calgary, Alberta, for restoration of a historic Fokker Universal.

The COPA Literary Award is presented to the person chosen by the editor and publisher of COPA Flight for the best contribution to COPA’s publications during the past year.

2006 winner: Larry Woods Hamilton, ON. Literary Award for his three-part series on "The Saga of Mending the Egg."
2005 winner: Ralph Bullis of Edmonton Alberta – Four fly north to the Beaufort Sea
2004 winner: Colin T Brown - For his article "A blamy escape from Canada's frigid winter"
2003 winner: Emily Coffey, Ottawa, Ont. - "Bang, We just Clipped a 172"
2002 winner: Clark Seaborn of Calgary, Alta. - "Flying the Paths of the Past"
2001 winner: Paul Nopper – Flight to Auyittuq – The land the never melts
2000 winner: "Cessna pilot captures the heavens," - by Peter Ceravolo, Ont.
1999 winner: Terry Jantzi, Kitchener, Ont. - Terry wrote an article titles "Flight of a Lifetime" published in Canadian Flight, August 1999. The story is about Terry's flight from Ottawa to Iqualuit with his 14-year-old daughter Lauren in his Vans RV-6. The flight was the first of a light aircraft connecting the capital of Canada with the new capital of Nunavut. The flight also established a national speed record for small aircraft flying between the two cities.

Return to COPA Awards Page