This page last updated Friday, 25 April 2008
Photo courtesy Diamond Aircraft Industries
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2008 COPA Flight display and classified advertising
information
April
24th, 2008
By Kevin Psutka
This is the first of a series of articles to educate you about options for equipping with 406 ELTs and other devices that are available to augment your ELT, including the advantages and disadvantages of various ELTs and other alerting devices.
Articles will be provided in the newspaper and from now on will be on the members only section of our website as a member benefit. For example, in this month’s article, we have a special deal for COPA members on the tracking and alerting service provided by SPOT. Read on to find out the details.
Read more.....
Political action needed to stop mandated 406 ELTs
March 7th, 2008
By Kevin Psutka
I hope by now that everyone is aware of the impending requirement to install a
new 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) in the near future click on the
backgrounder link at the bottom.
Although the next formal step in the process is the release of Gazette Part I sometime in the near future (date unknown as of the date of this article), at which time we will respond to whatever cost/benefit justification the government may provide, feedback from members to this point in time indicates that they want to do more to express their concern.
Our goal is to permit aircraft owners to choose an alerting option, including 406 ELTs, that best suits the type of flying they do and the terrain over which they fly. We are opposed to a regulation that forces everyone, at considerable cost, to equip with one technology that is not suitable for all operations.
To that end, I encourage everyone to study the issue thoroughly by reading the articles COPA has developed and then create a letter, based on the sample letter with the Briefing Paper and letter of dissent and send the package to your Member of Parliament. You can find your MP using your postal code http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx or using this list http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx
Unfortunately, the bureaucrats have failed to recognize the need for practical, cost-effective solutions. If we are going to stop this damaging regulation from proceeding, we need members to be politically active on this issue.
Please keep an eye on the front page of our website for the Gazette Part I announcement and how you can respond.
background information....
Three new faces join COPA’s Board
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Bill Beaton |
March Charron |
Jerry Roehr |
In July three new directors will be taking their seats on the COPA Board.
Jerry Roehr won the election over John Davidson in Manitoba/Nunavut. Bill Beaton will join Bob Kirkby in representing Alberta/Northwest Territories and Marc Charron will be representing Northern Ontario.
In the Maritimes, both Ernie Mclean and Brian Chappell will be returning to the board after winning the election over Joe Hine.
Beaton’s nomination went uncontested after Sherry Cooper decided not to run again due to increased business obligations and Charron’s nomination also went uncontested in Northern Ontario where the director position has been vacant since Peter Martin stepped down in early 2007.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, Ray Hawco was acclaimed as was Earl Kickley who represents Saskatchewan.
Director positions on the COPA Board are four year terms. The regions comprised of Provinces and Territories which the directors represent are divided into two groups, therefore, instead of one huge national election, half the regions face an election at opposite times – meaning an election is held every two years. This year nominations were held in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Maritimes, Northern Ontario, Manitoba/Nunavut, Saskatchewan and Alberta/Northwest Territories.
Elections this year were only called in Manitoba/Nunavut and the Maritimes. Nominees in the other regions were acclaimed. The election closed on Friday April 4, and three scrutineers confirmed the winners on April 11, 2008.
The new directors will be confirmed in their positions at the July 12, 2008, Annual General Meeting held in St. Thomas, Ont. during the COPA Convention.
At that time we will also bid farewell and give thanks and appreciation to those directors who will not be continuing, for their many years of dedication and volunteer commitment to COPA’s Board.
meet those who won by acclamation
COPA Affiliation with Young Eagles Program in Long Term Negotiation
By John Quarterman
April 10, 2008
New EAA/COPA Young Eagles Agreement in Negotiation
This is to inform all flights and COPA members that COPA is awaiting a new draft agreement from the EAA which was originally expected to be in place for April 1st, 2008.
Temporary letter of Authorization in Place
The agreement was originally expected to be concluded a month ago. In the interim, the COPA affiliation is continuing under the authority of the EAA by temporary letter of extension issued by the EAA, and good to May 1st. The new agreement must be in place by May 1st, else another extension will be required.
COPA’ temporary
authorization from the EAA means that COPA is still affiliated with the Young
Eagles program and can continue to perform Young Eagles flights. The
relationship has been extended twice due to delays in the preparation of the
EAA's new draft of the agreement between the two organizations.
read more.....
Florida Use-Tax Does Not Apply To Canadian Registered Aircraft
March 28th, 2008
COPA, working on behalf of its 18, 000 members has confirmed in telephone Discussions with the US State of Florida Department of Revenue that Canadians should have no concerns regarding the State of Florida Use Tax on Aircraft.
Mr. George “Tony” Hamm, the Chief Assistant General Counsel for the Florida Department of Revenue, stated to us that “generally speaking, absent a significant connection to the State of Florida, Canadian Registered Aircraft are not subject to the Florida Use Tax.” Mr Hamm went on further to explain that visiting aircraft owned by non-residents temporarily in this state for pleasure are not targeted, that fly-ins are not targeted, and that legislation is currently pending that, if enacted, will set forth a safe harbour exemption more clearly. “Our use tax enforcement activities are directed at Florida residents, owners of Florida real estate and owners or participants in Florida businesses,” Hamm said.
Mr Hamm made it plain that Canadians coming simply to enjoy the annual Sun & Fun Fly-in have nothing to fear from this tax.
COPA is awaiting written confirmation of the foregoing determination and position regarding Canadian Registered Aircraft not being subject to the Florida Use Tax, and we have been assured we will receive this confirmation in a few days. We will post any letter received from the Florida Department of Revenue in due course.
Banff and Jasper airstrips retained!
An important milestone was reached today in the effort to retain these two reliever airstrips. The Government of Canada recognized pilot safety comes first and therefore announced both Banff and Jasper airstrips will remain open for emergency and diversionary use.
In two separate press releases for Banff and Jasper the Honourable John Baird, Minister responsible for Parks Canada and
the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Mr. Myron Thompson, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, Mr. Rob Merrifield, Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, and Mr. Brian Jean, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, announced that both airstrips will be relisted in the National Park Aircraft Access Regulations for emergency and diversionary use and, for Jasper, the airstrip will also be available for recreational use.“I am pleased that the government agrees with COPA’s long-standing position that decommissioning these airstrips would pose a significant flight safety hazard for pilots and their passengers as they navigate the major mountain passes with their unpredictable weather,” COPA President and CEO Kevin Psutka said. “These airstrips have special status and members should use them with care to ensure that any environmental impacts are minimized.”
As pointed out in the government press releases, there remains some work to do in order to ensure that the airstrips are in compliance with Transport Canada regulations. Pilots should check future editions of the Canada Flight Supplement for the official status but remember that they remain available now for emergency and diversionary use.
“To everyone who had a part in this success, from our Banff and Jasper team to the many members who took the time to express their views, thank you,” Psutka said.
Will you have a place to land tomorrow?
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Photo courtesy Eric Dumigan
Donate to the Special Action Fund today
Given the considerable challenges we continue to face against our freedom to fly, we urge everyone to consider donating to the Special Action Fund. We have all benefited significantly from those who donated before us. Now it is time to ensure that we continue to be able to protect your freedom as well as the freedom of those who will follow us. Click here for examples of how the Special Action Fund has been applied to date.
Click here for the Special Action Fund donation form
Click here to automatically donate to the Special Action Fund each month
XM Satellite weather on hold
March 12, 2008
By Kevin Psutka
In my column from March 2007, entitled "Who’s on First" (See
www.copanational.org/non-members/PresidentsColumn/Presmar07.htm), I explained why we did not yet have XM Satellite weather service available in Canada.Since that time, COPA has been encouraging the Canadian provider, XM Satellite Radio Canada to get the service released here. This effort culminated with a test launch of the service a few months ago, as reported in the
November COPA Flight.read more......
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The COPA Collection |
COPA is pleased to announce Aviation World has been chosen as the new supplier of Canadian Owners and Pilots Association logo merchandise. Please look for the following products still available at the same low 2007 prices continuing until current stock is gone. Stay tuned for exciting new COPA Collection items in 2008. To see the COPA Collection or the Aviation World site click here.
NavCan’s new daily charge to begin March 1
ed. The following reminder from Nav Canada refers to consultation with COPA but should not be construed as our agreement with its introduction. COPA strongly opposed this fee, including appealing to the Canadian Transportation Agency, who consequently upheld the fee.
See the background to this issue in the President’s Column from September 2006 www.copanational.org/non-members/PresidentsColumn/PresSep06_E.htm.
The reminder also refers to the
new fee that is aimed at all small.............
read more.........
Nav Canada: le nouveau frais débute le 1er mars
Note de l’éditeur : Le présent rappel de Nav Canada fait référence à la consultation avec la COPA mais ne devrait pas être interprété comme notre accord envers cet introduction. La COPA a fortement opposé ce frais, allant même en appel devant l’Office des transports du Canada, qui a par la suite retenu le frais.
Consultez les détails de cette question dans la Colonne du Président de septembre 2006 à l’adresse internet suivante : www.copanational.org/non-members/PresidentsColumn/PresSep06_E.htm.
Le rappel fait aussi référence au
nouveau frais qui vise les ..............
lire plus.......
Mexican Consul Announces Private Flight Restrictions
The
Mexican Ministry of Transportation through the Mexican Consul to Canada, has
asked us to inform all Canadian that private aircraft flights originating in
Latin America and the Caribbean must use the airports of Cozumel or Tapachula as
their Point of Entry to Mexico. The restriction has been in effect since
Jan 31st, 2008, 1800 hours Central time and...........
read more......
New requirement for private aircraft arriving, departing U.S. - Update
By Kevin Psutka
New US CBP Proposed Electronic Manifest Requirement for US Border Crossing
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is fast-tracking a proposed Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, that all general aviation aircraft operators, including Canadian private aircraft, electronically submit (via Internet) advanced notice and a passenger manifest before entering or leaving the United States.
The only method for notification is proposed to be the CBP's electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS), which is currently used by the airlines and charter operators.
Also, private aircraft would not be permitted to enter or leave until confirmation or approval is received by the pilot, no later than 60 minutes........
read more ............
COPA Establishes Days-Inn Member Rate
Good News COPA Members . COPA has set up a Days Inn National Corporate Account
for COPA staff and members at a discount of 5% below the Best Available Rate at
any one of the 90 Days Inn locations across Canada. Reservations can be made
only by calling 1-800-DAYS INN or by booking online at
www.daysinn.ca. When making a booking quote
the COPA corporate code of 50418, you will need to supply this number in order
to receive the COPA rate. .
The COPA Day Inn corporate Rate is effective immediately. Enjoy your trip!
*Please note that this discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other
promotion or special rate.
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COPA e-NewsFlash Goes On Line
For many years COPA has produced an electronic newsletter that comes out at the middle of each month called the COPA e-NewsFlash. In the past these have been solely distributed to an e-mail list, made up mostly of the contact people for the COPA Flights. From there they get forwarded to many more people.
To make the e-Newsflash even more accessible, including back issues they are now available on the COPA website.
AOPA Pilot subscription deal for COPA members
COPA and AOPA have once again teamed together to provide a great member benefit
for COPA members.
For many years COPA and AOPA offered subscriptions to AOPA Pilot magazine,
access to the AOPA members only section of the AOPA website and pilot assistance
services for $58 (Cdn) per year. Now the same package is available for $35
(U.S.)
This improved program also includes faster service – subscriptions are now only
arranged by contacting AOPA directly at 1-800-872-2672 and quoting your COPA
membership number.
You will receive 12 issues of AOPA Pilot, a special pass code to allow you
access to the AOPA “members only” website and access to pilot assistance for
flying in the USA.
This special offer is only open to COPA members who are Canadian residents.
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