New aircraft providing more reliable service for Angel Flight East Kootenay
Kootenay-based volunteer medical transport service reaping benefits of new aircraft for BC Interior flights
A local volunteer medical transportation service is making good use of a new aircraft that is capable of operating safely through inclement weather between the Kootenays and the Okanagan. Through the worst of the winter months, Angel Flight East Kootenay has made 45 flights, the majority of which were with a new-to-the-organization 1979 Cessna 414A that was purchased last fall.
“Those 45 flights would not have gone if it wasn’t for the new aircraft because of the weather and this year, we have had no flights canceled due to weather, again, because of this airplane,” said Brent Bidston, the founder and pilot with Angel Flight East Kootenay.
Indeed, last week was a busy one for Angel Flight, with six flights and 14 people transported between the East Kootenay and Kelowna, for specialist appointments or medical treatment, according to Bidston.
“We have just flown from December to now, through the worst part of winter and had no cancellations due to weather,” Bidston added. "The airplane is doing what it said on the box and doing what we wanted it to do, successfully.”
Bidston noted there’s a notable increase in the number of people transported, due to the addition of new seats and expanded capacity provided by the new aircraft.
“The problem is that it’s made us much more reliable and we’re doing a lot more flights, but they’re more expensive. And with the massive increase in fuel costs… It’s really scary for us,” Bidston said. Three pilots are qualified to fly the new aircraft and a fourth will be ready in a few weeks, Bidston said. While Angel Flight East Kootenay doesn’t charge a direct fee for flights, the operational cost per person averages out to just over $100 per person on a full flight, according to Bidston.
The new aircraft was purchased following a significant grant of $500,000 from the Regional District of East Kootenay, to be spread out over five years, while additional support came from the Columbia Basin Trust, Teck Resources and private donations from individuals who wished to remain anonymous. While that funding went towards purchasing the aircraft, there are still ongoing operational costs necessary to conduct the flights. Bidston says Angel Flight East Kootenay is continually looking for donations to support the flights, particularly sponsorship that provides annual funding in order to better anticipate the organization’s finances
“At the moment, we never know one day to the next, what’s going to happen, so we’re trying to get a bit more stability into that.” Bidston said.
Anyone wishing to support Angel Flight East Kootenay can visit their website.
(Source: NelsonStar, Trevor Crawley)

YXS Airport donates warehouse space for BC Summer Games
The Prince George Airport Authority (YXS) has joined the Prince George 2022 BC Summer Games as an official community partner with their large in-kind donation of warehouse space.
“The warehouse storage is vital to the success of the games,” said director of Friends of the Games, Mindy Stroet. “From now until after games time, we need approximately 3,000 square feet of storage for a variety of games materials. We are so grateful for the Prince George Airport Authority stepping up for our community and providing this need.”
The Prince George Airport Authority understands the importance of being involved in our community and takes an active role in many charities and local initiatives, including their annual charity golf tournament, Festival of Trees, Hope Air, and many more.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to support the BC Summer Games by providing warehouse space,” says Prince George Airport Authority president and CEO, Gordon Duke. “We know that this is an exciting milestone for our community and we’re proud to be a partner this year.”
More information about the Games can be found at www.bcgames.org.
(Source: Prince George Daily News)

YVR Hosts a Ceremonial Send Off for the Give Hope Wings 2022: Canada Coast to Coast Expedition
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) marked this year’s Give Hope Wings expedition at co-host Million Air’s hangar on YVR’s south side. Ceremonies included cedar brushing of the three GIve Hope Wings participating aircraft which were on hand for the event by members, including an Elder, of the Musqueam First Nation.
Hope Air CEO Mark Rubinstein, who refers to himself as the Chief Hope Officer, opened the event by welcoming participating pilots Dave McElroy (Give Hope Wings founder), Steve Drinkwater (Canadian Aviator publisher) and presenting sponsor Lise Ash (Langley Sportsplex). With the Fixed Base Operator's hangar door open, all three of the pilots’ aircraft were framed by the broad opening with airport operations taking place in the background.
Hope Air cancer patient Henry and his mother Bristol of Kelowna were on hand with Bristol telling her and her son’s story of how Hope Air made the trip from Kelowna much more bearable and affordable compared to having to drive every three months for four hours each way.
YVR CEO Tamara Vrooman also addressed the attendees, pointing out that YVR has been a partner with Hope Air since 2011, facilitating patients arriving from other parts of British Columbia.
The GIve Hope Wongs 2022 Expedition departed from Victoria Monday morning, June 6, and terminates at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec (near Montreal) on June 24, after having reached Halifax and St. John’s.
Hope Air is an Affiliate of the BC Aviation Council.
More information is available at Hope Air’s website and their dedicated Give Hope Wings website. Please help Give Hope Wings exceed its $1 million donation target.



Getting serious about climate change: How business must step up
Climate change is one of the most important and pressing challenges facing our planet and humanity today. What is the role of business and the private sector in fighting climate change, and how can (and why must) business step up to address this challenge now?
On Thursday June 16, 2022, the Montalbano Centre for Responsible Leadership Development, the Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics at the UBC Sauder School of Business and alumni UBC present, Getting serious about climate change: How business must step up, a climate action panel event (webinar).
Panelists include:
-
Carol Liao – (she/her) – Associate Professor, Peter A. Allard School of Law, Principal co-Investigator of the Canada Climate Law Initiative, UBC Sauder Distinguished Scholar, and Director of the Centre for Business Law
-
Tamara Vrooman (she/her) – President & CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR)
-
Kate White (she/her) – Academic Director, Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics, Senior Associate Dean, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, UBC Sauder School of Business, Professorship in Consumer Insights, Prosocial Consumption and Sustainability and Professor, Marketing and Behavioural Science Division
The event will be moderated by host and producer of CBC Vancouver News Lien Yeung (she/her), with opening remarks by Grosvenor Professor of Cities, Business Economics and Public Policy and UBC Sauder School of Business Dean Robert Helsley (he/him).
Registration for the event is free and will be broadcast virtually so it is accessible to a broader audience. Click here to register for this free webinar.
The Operations and Logistics Division of UBC's Sauder School of Business is a Bronze Level Sponsor of the BCAC's recent North America leading Aviation and Aerospace Sustainability Conference.

Workplace Integrated Learning WILWorks
WILWorks is now accepting applications for students being placed in the Summer (May 1 – August 31) 2022 term. Beginning Summer 2022, eligible work placements must be a requirement as part of the student's study plan. This can include co-operative education, internships, field placements and applied research projects. The work placement as part of the student's study plan will be verified when confirming student eligibility.
The WILWorks Student Work Placement Program is designed to incentivize employers to offer more student positions than they did before leveraging funding. The Government of Canada has removed the temporary relief measures introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please refer to the FAQs and Terms & Conditions documents for a complete list of changes, including:
- The “net new” placement criteria is in place
- Varying subsidy reimbursements (50% or 70%)
- Post-secondary education institutions are no longer eligible to serve as an employer or to apply for the wage subsidy
This program will be of particular interest to BCAC's Aerospace members.
Click here to learn more!
Scholarship Winners 2020 -2021
Normally we celebrate our amazing scholarship winners in person during our annual Silver Wings event at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, however, COVID put a big wrench in that endeavor in 2020 and 2021. So instead, we our celebrating our winners and some of their thoughts over four Frequent Flyer Special Editions - this is batch number four.
Silver Wings returns to its in-person networking format October 20th, third floor, Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. More information is available now and registration opens July 14th at Silver Wings.

Brooklyn Pringle, Anderson Family Scholarship ($7000)
My love of flying began when my brother, who trained at Glacier Air to become a pilot, took me on my first flight in a smaller plane. That experience opened the door for me to a path in aviation. Less than one year later, I started my own training at Glacier Air. Thanks to him, and with the support of my family, I have found my passion and strive to be the best pilot I can be.

Cassius Fernandez, Ernie Alexander, Q.C. Memorial Scholarship ($2000)
Going into Aircraft Maintenance was motivated by a desire to work as close as I can to aircraft and expand my knowledge on anything avionics related. My goal is to build a career as an AME ensuring my work on an aircraft is up to the highest standards. Most of this scholarship will go towards aviation tools and equipment that I will require to launch my career as an apprentice upon graduation.

Saba Aziz, Mary Swain Memorial Aviation Training Scholarship for ($1,000)
Flying has always been my passion. I’ve flown since I was a baby, having been born in Pakistan but growing up in the UAE, we were always flying back for holidays. I loved going to the cockpit and watching the pilots in action. Flying intrigued me and it was something I was badly wanting to learn. We had a pilot in the family, an uncle who was a Captain, but I wanted to be the first female pilot in the family. Not only did I manage to show them that it could be done, but also set an example for both my daughters and all the other girls who now know that they can achieve whatever they desire to do, that nothing is impossible, and that they can dare to dream.
Note that is one of Saba's Daughters taking control, not Saba!

This Special Scholarship edition was sponsored by the Kelowna International Airport (YLW). YLW is a strong supporter of scholarship, community and the BCAC. Thanks to encouragement by BCAC Corporate Supporters like YLW, our scholarships have grown to become Canada’s largest aviation and aerospace awards program, approaching $80,000 annually. A sincere thank you to YLW for supporting the next generation of aviation and aerospace professionals in British Columbia!
|