COPA elections declared in two regions

MEET THE CANDIDATES
 

NEW BRUNSWICK, NOVA SCOTIA AND PEI:
 

Ernest McLean is currently a COPA Director, a member of COPA Flight 2 in Fredericton and COPA Flight 86 in Woodstock. He has accumulated more than 3,000 hours – 1,100 hours on floats. He has owned eight aircraft, including a new Piper Cherokee 140B which he used for transportation in the construction business. Ernie now owns and flies a Van RV8.

Ernie owns and maintains Scottsfield Air Park Ltd. (CCF9) where he has hosted 30 fly-in breakfasts since 1975. He has served on the board of directors of the Fredericton Flying Club – one term as president and also served on the board of directors of the Fredericton Airport Authority as treasurer for six years.

 
   

Brian Chappell became a COPA Director in 1985, was the Eastern COPA-VP from 1996 to 2004. He currently is COPA Treasurer.

In 1973 he joined Stanley Sport Aviation (SSA). He became an SSA Director in 1977, serving in various positions including SSA vice-president and president.

In 1972 Brian got his Private Pilots license at the Halifax Flying Club in Cherokee's and joined COPA at that time. In 1975 his first aircraft was acquired, a 1961 Champion 7EC for a couple of years, then a 1947 Stinson 108-2 for a few years and a 1955 C-180 in 1984 which he still owns.
Brian is the longest serving board member, some say that's getting stale but it's very helpful to have 'history' on the board to note what has worked in the past, what has not, and what may work today to meet the ever growing COPA demands that challenge our 'Freedom to Fly'



 Joe Hine is currently a member of the RCMP employed as a Criminal Operations analyst in Fredericton N.B. He will have 35 years service on the 20th of August this year and will be retiring then.

Joe is a member of the COPA Flight in Fredericton N.B. and has been a COPA member for more than 25 years. He has worked on the organizing committee of the Yarmouth International Airshow for a number of years in the 80's and was on the organizing committee of the COPA convention when it was in Fredericton a couple of years ago. He built and flies a Vans RV4, C-FYTQ. He has a Private Pilots licence with a float endorsement and approx 700 TT.

"I would like to be a COPA director because I think COPA has the best record of being an advocate organization for both private owners and fliers and also for small businesses involved in flying. We need a strong voice in Ottawa to ensure reasonable government regulation of general aviation."


MANITOBA AND NUNAVUT:
 

 John Davidson has been a licensed pilot and a COPA member since 1973. John currently flies a 1961 Mooney M20B which he has owned for almost 35 years. He also is a member of COPA Flight 35 at Lyncrest Airport. John is currently a member of the Board of Directors of COPA and a member of the Policy Committee.

John is a professional engineer who has worked on airports for the majority of his career and is still heavily involved in runway design and construction.
John is the President of the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association, an all volunteer organization dedicated to assisting in searching for lost aviators and others lost while enjoying our great outdoors. He is also a director and current vice-president of the Western Canada Aviation Museum in Winnipeg and a director with the Manitoba Aviation Council.

"There are many challenges to Personal Aviation across this country and I look forward to continuing to work to solve them.
 
Gerhard P.W. (Jerry) Roehr, is a Real Estate Broker, the Real Estate and Building Consultant for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and is a retired General Contractor. He and his wife Helga live in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Jerry joined COPA in 1970 and received his Private Pilot License in 1971. He bought a Cessna 182 in 1981 and a Lake Buccaneer 200 in 1985. He used both aircraft in his construction business flying out of St. Andrews Airport to northern Manitoba communities. Jerry still owns the C-182 and has accumulated more than 3,500 flying hours and is rated VFR Single Engine Land and Sea, VFR on Top and Night.
Jerry has served as Board Member of the Winnipeg Flying Club, The James A. Richardson Winnipeg International Airport, the Winnipeg St. Andrews Airport and the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA).

Most of Jerry’s volunteer time however is and has been spent with CASARA. Jerry is a 21 year member of that organization, served 15 years as Provincial Treasurer, participated in at least 100 searches, hundreds of exercises and presented numerous CASARA or aviation seminars, which included the Winnipeg COPA Convention.

If elected to the COPA Board Jerry hopes to bring the voice of the four Manitoba Flights to COPA’s national issues and communicate COPA’s agenda to the Manitoba aviation community. His particular interest is the prevention of the spread of Airport, Nav Canada and Transport Canada fees for General Aviation.