The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association’s (COPA’s) board of directors is proposing the name of the organization be changed to Aviators Canada Association, which it believes will be truncated to Aviators Canada in normal communications. Whether the name will be changed will be up for discussion at COPA’s annual general meeting in Vernon, B.C., on June 21. Members unable to attend the AGM can sign proxies for members in attendance to vote on their behalf. There has been some discussion on social media among members.
In a letter to members, COPA president Doug Ronan said the current name no longer represents the broad range of participation by other sectors of the aviation industry and is actually a barrier to entry by those who don’t fly or own aircraft. “General Aviation in Canada encompasses a far broader group of people and professions—including student pilots, drone operators, aircraft mechanics, airport and aerodrome operators, aviation parts suppliers, flight school personnel, regional commercial operators, aviation enthusiasts and future flyers,” he said. “To grow and thrive our community must be open to all those who believe in and contribute to general aviation.”
The current name has stood since the organization’s inception in 1952. It’s a founding member of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations and remains the second largest member behind AOPA. Membership has been slipping in recent years and now stands at about 11,000 members. The group recently hired Marcia Kim as president and CEO, saying she has 15 years of leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector. She replaced businessman Mark van Berkel, who led the organization for two years. AVweb received a statement from the COPA board and it’s copied as follows:
Statement From Canadian Owners and Pilots Association
“Accessing the skies is a privilege that citizens of few countries enjoy as freely as we do in Canada (and the USA). Sadly, fewer and fewer Canadians are taking to the skies—the number of private pilots in Canada has been in severe decline and doing so despite an increasing population. Many Canadians believe that flying is beyond them … exclusive, unattainable— something reserved for ‘other people.’
Before Canadians can become pilots or aircraft owners, they need to be able to visualize themselves as aviators … to dare to dream that the passion for flight is open to them as well. Being an ‘aviator’ starts in the heart. And it manifests itself in individuals becoming pilots and owners, but also AMEs, air traffic controllers, aerodrome operators, flight school operators, etc…
Only with more pilots, more flight schools, healthy airports, accessible AMEs, etc … will we, together, be able to preserve the remarkable freedom to fly that we enjoy in Canada. Those of us who are privileged to know the bliss of ‘slipping the surly bonds of Earth’ must open our arms wide and welcome others into our organization and into aviation.”
Bad move. Changing the brand name to something that sounds like an insurance agency is wrong. Way back when we all used to wait for the yellow papered newsletter to be in our mailboxes with articles, used aircraft and supplies, accident reports, calendar of events and such. You don’t turn your back on 73 years of history.
Yes, I think your remarks are spot on. I too wonder about the future and continuation of COPA. If you are a current pilot, perhaps an owner, then you have a dog in this race. Others with an interest or a desire are most welcome to join this group we are part of. We are not partially interested on an occasional basis but constantly. The question becomes, “is there a fire in the belly”, or is aviation just a passing interest?
I understand and agree with the logic, but it’s a bland logo and a bland name. Look at the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada. Now there is a great name and a great logo; both tell you everything that you need to know.
Anyway, nothing to do with me, so just flush the opinion and I’ll forgo the 2¢.
All i care about is if they all speak English on the radios.
The good news is that the new name would be less confusable with that of the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA).
How contagious is apathy? Do we put our head between our knees and kiss goodbye to G.A. up here? You know, it’s been an interesting ride but are these the last burning embers of our association?
You have to catch the fever. I fail to see how a name change does anything to spread the fever. I caught the fever by simply looking at airplane pictures in a book. It spread from there. The fever comes from within, not from any name change.
The new logo looks more like an invite to a garden club.
I couldn’t agree more. COPA belongs to the members, the directors are there to do our bidding, not dilute or dismantle the historic organization.
As a Canadian private pilot flying in the US, I view the name change as unnecessary and misguided. If the intent is to include drone operators, then to my mind that is a huge mistake. I view drones and their proliferation as the enemy of general aviation. Their objectives and mind set is completely at odds with our view of aviation safety. I say this from having several close calls. Regardless of the drone issue, I think that COPA represents a proud tradition. There is no reason to change the name.
The issue of conflicts of interest is significant and needs to be addressed as you noted. I plan to attend the COPA convention in Vernon next month and hopefully talk to some folks about these issues. Well, let’s see how it goes.
It may be because of the drone regulations but as a western Canadian I see it more as pandering to eastern interests. TCA to AC now COPA to AC
A side benefit is it distances us (canadians) from our evil american cousins the aopa.
It comes more in line with the franco canadians.
Call me a cynical seperatist old fart.
Aviators Canada Association (or Aviators Canada) is no more inclusive than the existing name, so that argument falls flat. I rest my case.
I know what you mean. My wife’s one of those evil Americans and calls me evil all the time…what gives? I think COPA needs to pander to all us old and not so old farts and get on with looking out for the membership base it has before dissolving into a meaningless disorganization of blandness.
P.S. I’m not sure but I think the ladies pass wind occasionally as well.