BC AERO and DART Collaborate on Transborder Disaster Response Exercise
GUEST ARTICLE BY MIKE DAVENPORT
MASKS, MASKS AND MORE MASKS
- Whatcom County DART (Disaster Airlift Response Team)
- West Coast General Aviation Response Plan (WCGAR)
- EVAC (Emergency Volunteer Air Corps)
- BC AERO (British Columbia Airlift Emergency Response Operations)
What do all these groups have in common? Their prime mission is be prepared to help others in the event of some kind of disaster in the pacific northwest and to do that requires both preparation and training.
Back in the day, Shaun B. Heaps and Sigmund Bering Sort of BC AERO connected with Sky Terry of Whatcom County DART and, because of those meetings, a practice exercise called Thunder Run was held in early July 2022 with BC AERO delivering several thousand pounds of food products to the Bellingham, WA airport.
Discussions were subsequently held about the desire of Washington based pilots to do a similar practise run into Langley to learn the requirements of NAV CANADA and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). To provide products to carry, some 240,000 medical masks were obtained, and a quick check of the weights determined that a likely load for a General Aviation Aircraft would be 5,000 to 6,000 masks. Weight and balance considerations were not an issue, but space was and so every nook and cranny would be filled.
Aircraft would load at Skagit Regional Airport (KBVS) in Washington with some Canadian pilots participating. eAPIS filings and flight plans would be mandatory due to the two border crossings for each trip. Originally there were to be five legs in each round trip. For example, Langley-to-Bellingham for Customs, Bellingham-to-Skagit for the load, Skagit-to-Abbotsford for Customs, and lastly to Langley to offload. However, US Customs were very cooperative and agreed to place people at Skagit which allowed flights direct from Langley eliminating one leg completely with significant savings of both time and fuel.
CBSA at Abbotsford are only able to be on site Monday to Friday between 8AM and 4PM each day. Unfortunately, they have no staffing allocation to cover weekend work. This reduced the number of aircraft that were available due to the need for those pilots who are not yet retired to earn a living. The first day selected was Feb 15th, a Wednesday with fingers crossed regarding the weather. After all, it is February on the “Wet Coast” with a better than even chance of rain on any given day. As it turned out the weather was severe VFR and a very successful day for all.
At an estimated two hours per round trip, assuming an early start, the day would allow four trips per aircraft and require between 10 to 12 aircraft to get the job done. During the planning stages, five US and five Canadian aircraft were scheduled. These included two C170s, a pristine Bonanza, several C172s, a C182, and even an amateur built RV4 proving conclusively, ’where there is a will, there is a way’.
During the day, 12 loads were brought into Langley resulting in a total of 210,000 masks now on hand. That begs the question – now what? One thought was that anyone that wants to come and pick some up are welcome to take as many as they want. To arrange a pickup, contact: Shaun B Heaps: shaunheaps@bcareo.org
(Photos: Submitted)
Hangar Hangout Review - Chinook Helicopters
On Thursday, Feb 23rd, Chinook Helicopters hosted the BCAC’s Hangar Hangout at the Abbotsford International Airport (YXX).
The Youth Engagement Committee was delighted by the turnout with over 85 registrants enjoying the networking, snacks, and samosas provided by the Chinook’s welcoming staff. All the aviators there were warmly greeted by Cathy Press, CEO of Chinook Helicopters and the BCAC’s Vice Chair, as she gave a short presentation on the history of her flight school. Afterwards, there were quite a few tours of her advanced training fleet and institution. Check out this cool Instagram video of the event here!
BCAC is extremely thankful to Cathy and to all her staff at Chinook for graciously hosting us. We all look forward to the amazing things Chinook is going to do in the future!
(Photo: Submitted, Video: Alisha Sohpaul)
"The Sky's No Limit: Girls Fly Too!" is back with new dates!
Join us on April 29-30, 2023, at the Abbotsford International Airport in BC, Canada for the world’s largest diversity outreach event of its kind to inspire female future leaders from shop floor to top floor in Aviation, Aerospace, Marine & Defence. Everyone of any age, gender or citizenship is welcome to attend - it's completely FREE! No registration is required to attend, and parking is also FREE.
Our signature The Sky’s No Limit – Girls Fly Too! incredible annual events change lives! Our events are always fun, hands-on and completely FREE for everyone to ensure there are no barriers to participation. This is due to the generous support of agency, industry, education and community partners as well as our amazing volunteers working together towards improving gender diversity in high tech fields.
Participants often get to meet a NASA Astronaut in person! Civilian and non-civilian VIPs will be on hand to engage with participants, and a variety of cool aircraft and equipment will be available to explore. Incredible hands-on displays and activities are provided by industry, agency, and education partners to showcase their capabilities and inspire you to new possibilities. The event is open to the public with no registration required to attend.
FREE FLIGHTS for female first time fliers!!! Among the many attractions our event is famous for are the hundreds of free flights for female first-time fliers! The first flight experience is so incredibly amazing that we just have to share it! It’s often the catalyst that is needed to inspire interest in Aviation, Aerospace, Marine & Defence and other STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) based fields. The opportunities are endless! Visit our website to learn more.
(Source/Images: The Sky's No Limit: Girls Fly Too)
Parallel Flight Advances International Expansion and Announces Key Appointment of Cathy Press
Parallel Flight Technologies, a leader in autonomous heavy-lift drone technology, today announced the appointment of Cathy Press to lead its Canadian operations, based in Greater Vancouver. This expansion marks Parallel Flight’s first presence in Canada, where it will strategically serve as a global anchor to help the organization supply and service advanced autonomous, heavy-lift, vertical flight systems to customers across several industries.
Named as one of the 2019 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award, Cathy Press brings an impressive resume to lead Parallel Flight’s operations in Canada. As the first female Flight Instructor in Canada, Cathy holds nearly 40 years of executive aviation experience and has led Chinook Helicopters, an industry leader in training some of the best helicopter pilots, globally. As someone who began flying at the age of 11 and did her first solo flight at 16, Cathy has a long history of persevering toward big challenges and goals in her extraordinary aeronautical career. In her early career, Cathy was one of only six women in Canada licensed to fly helicopters, and flew charters in areas of electronic news gathering, aerial survey, search and rescue, forestry and air taxi. Currently, Cathy is the only person in Canada to hold a ‘Transport Canada Pilot Examiner’ status in both airplanes and helicopters, giving her the ability to license new instructors and pilots. Her impressive list of aviation accolades includes The Bank of Montreal’s Innovation and Global Growth Award and Enterprising Women of the Year by Enterprising Magazine. Chinook Helicopters received the BC Aviation Council’s Back and Bevington Air Safety Award for the most significant contribution to air safety in British Columbia.
“UAV systems, such as the heavy lift long duration platform that PFT has under development, certainly have the potential to revolutionize the aviation industry. It’s my delight to be joining Parallel Flight and partnering with a team that has a core focus on cutting-edge technology, sustainability and public good”, says Cathy.
“Cathy’s unmatched experience in aviation and hands-on business approach is undoubtedly going to be a key asset as we continue to expand Parallel Flight’s footprint across the Canadian region”, adds Joshua Resnick, CEO of Parallel Flight Technologies. “We are thrilled to welcome such an esteemed visionary to the Parallel Flight team and look forward to significant growth in Canada under Cathy’s leadership”.
Parallel Flight is well poised for explosive growth internationally. The company has developed patented parallel hybrid drone technology that enables its aircraft to fly exponentially longer in hover, with a heavy payload, than existing electric systems. The company’s transformative UAS technology can be applied across multiple logistics verticals, including real-time and complex healthcare logistics, tactical support for firefighters and first responders, and industrial logistics. By serving as an original equipment manufacturer and service provider, Parallel Flight Technologies is well-positioned to revolutionize drones as a service (DAAS) on a global scale.
(Source: EINPresswire, Sarah Abdi, Parallel Flight Technologies)
An invitation to connect with the Mexican Aerospace Industry at FAMEX 2023
The aerospace industry in Mexico is a major component of the economy: it employs sixty thousand Mexicans, generates more than USD $8 billion in annual exports, and has grown 14% annually for the past ten years. A key factor for positioning Mexico in the aerospace industry worldwide is FAMEX which links the aerospace industry to the most dynamic economic sectors in the country. Mexico’s aerospace industry is strongly linked to Canada and the USA through manufacturing, trade, agreements and research. Mexico is the sixth largest supplier to the US aerospace industry, with zero tariffs in place for aerospace trade operations thanks to CUSMA.
As the 12th largest aerospace manufacturing country in the world, Mexico hosts more than 350 manufacturing operations for commercial and civil aviation, as well as engineering and design firms. International companies with locations in Mexico include Airbus (Querétaro), Bombardier (Chihuahua, Querétaro), GE (Querétaro) and SAFRAN (Baja California, Chihuahua, Querétaro), Collins Aerospace (Baja California, Sonora), and Textron (Chihuahua).
The main reasons for selecting Mexico are the highly competitive manufacturing costs, its geographical location, the availability of specialized human capital and a network of free trade agreements with over 46 countries, including the European Union. Also, the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) between the USA and Mexico allows for the mutual recognition of aerospace standards, making it easier for Mexican manufacturers to integrate into the North American supply chain. This context creates big opportunities for Canadian companies to explore expanding into Mexico.
With this in mind, FEMIA and the Consulate General of Mexico in Vancouver warmly invite all companies from the BC Aerospace Industry to follow the most important aeronautical event in Mexico, the Aerospace Fair Mexico (FAMEX) to take place from April 26 to 29, 2023, at Military Air Base No.1 Santa Lucia, State of Mexico (less than one hour drive from Mexico City). Organized by the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA), this aerospace fair is a commercial trade show for defense, civil, and military aeronautics. There will be exhibitors from over 47 different countries and activities such as a foreign investment seminar, technical conferences, B2B meetings and aircraft demonstration flights.
If you are interested in participating in 2024, please email us at mvega@femia.com.mx and we will assist you!
(ED: Please see the attached FAMEX 2023 brochure in PDF format for more information about this exciting event.)
(Photo: Submitted)
CORPORATE PROFILE
InterVISTAS becomes an employee-owned company following a conversion from Royal HaskoningDHV ownership
March 1, 2023 – InterVISTAS will move from a wholly owned Royal HaskoningDHV subsidiary in Canada/United States to an employee-owned company. Both companies will continue to collaborate as trusted partners.
Royal HaskoningDHV CEO Erik Oostwegel said, “Since InterVISTAS became part of our company in 2008 we have seen the delivery of many joint projects. Going forward and related to aviation, our strategy focuses more on intermodal transportation.
It was a mutual decision that InterVISTAS continues, separate from Royal HaskoningDHV. We wish them tremendous future success and we will continue to collaborate as trusted partners.”
InterVISTAS President and CEO Solomon Wong adds, “InterVISTAS is an established brand with a rich history and expertise in delivering consultancy services to our clients. This buyout represents the next chapter, with greater local focus on customer service; InterVISTAS will thrive and grow as an organization under employee ownership.”
He adds further “We look forward to sustained commitment on our current and future projects, supported by our people who are our most important assets. We believe this ownership model will help to build excellence as we develop the next generation of strategic insights. InterVISTAS will continue to build products and services to help our clients transform in airports, transportation, and tourism.”
Solomon will continue as President and CEO of InterVISTAS Consulting with a new Board of Directors for the company to oversee its strategic direction.
(Source: InterVISTAS, Bill Jones / Graphic: InterVISTAS)
COPA Seeks New CEO
The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) is actively searching for a new leader to guide this important national organization forward. If you are interested or know of a possible quality candidate, please see the detailed job posting attached to this eNewsletter or check our Job Board on our website.
COPA is a strong Affiliate of the BC Aviation Council.