"Second Round" Scholarships Available - Close Sunday Midnight

It's scholarship season and we're doing what we do best – administering Canada's largest Aviation and Aerospace Scholarship Program (over $100,000 to be awarded in 2024!). We still have some scholarships that haven't been awarded so we're holding a "second round" of scholarship applications, specifically for Rotary CPL, AME, and Canadian Indigenous Heritage Fixed Wing Aviation Students. (Please Note: AME scholarships include an optional, six-month paid internship at Harbour Air.)

These scholarships are open to all students enrolled in accredited aviation and aerospace programs in British Columbia, Canada. Deadline is September 3rd, by midnight PDT.

Interested? Visit our Scholarship Applications webpage for more details as well as our online application form.

Questions? Contact us at info@bcaviationcouncil.org

Our thanks to Pacific Coastal, Harbour Air, the BCAC Scholarship Endowment, and the Roe Boat Trust in memory of Emil Oucharek.

(Photos/Dave Frank, BCAC; Kim Bellavance)

BC’s Manager of Programs & Air Policy Reg Faubert (centre) accepts the Silver Wings Award from BC Aviation Council Chair Heather McCarley (left) and Executive Director Dave Frank (right).

How BC Air Access Program Provides Small Airport Funding and Supports Safety

BC’s 300 aviation facilities have critical roles to play, like wildfire suppression and medical evacuation (medevac), and we’re helping to support them with small airport funding from the BC Air Access Program (BCAAP).

BCAAP contributes funding for large or small improvements to airport aprons and runways (paving shown above at the Squamish Municipal Airport), avionics such as hazard beacons and runway lighting, air terminal or parking facilities, and for greenhouse gas baseline inventories. To be eligible, the applicant must operate a public use air facility that serves fewer than one million passengers annually and be the facility operator (local government, non-profit operating society or a contracted operator). Here’s a listing of the facilities that received funding in Spring 2023, that supports essential services and economic growth.

Recently, stakeholder feedback and consultations helped us streamline the application process and increase the focus on funding those most in need. Potential funding has been raised to 90% for projects at air facilities that serve remote or Indigenous communities and projects that are urgently needed to support medevac services. Also new to the program is funding for airport master plans. READ MORE

(Source: TranBC, Photo/BC Aviation Council)

Feds to Invest $350 Million in Sustainable Aviation Innovation

François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced in Paris the creation of the Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology program, or INSAT, that aims to accelerate the development and adoption of ‘green’ innovation of the country’s aviation and aerospace industries. It will involve small and large companies across Canada and will focus on both hybrid and other means of propulsion, aircraft architecture and systems integration, the transition to alternative (i.e., greener) fuels and aircraft support infrastructure and operations.

The announcement was made while Champagne was in France for the Paris Air Show. In a press release issued by the minister’s office, the department states the program was created in response to recommendations from the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC). It goes on to state that Canada’s aerospace industry contributes around $27 billion and over 210,000 jobs to the national economy.

“Today’s $350 million investment to support [INSAT] will help drive and accelerate the green industrial transformation of Canada’s aerospace industry,” said Champagne. Added AIAC CEO Mike Mueller, “This new ecosystem will be the catalyst for critical aerospace innovation, propelling the industry forward toward sustainable aviation and ensuring a global leadership position for Canada.”

(Source: Canadian Aviator Magazine, Photo/Mireille Goyer)

Silver Wings 2023 - Save the date!

Our highly anticipated annual Silver Wings Scholarship and Industry Awards gala event has been announced! Register now to join us on October 26th, 2023, at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre from 5:45PM - 10PM PDT. Event details including Sponsorship Opportunities, Travel and Hotel Partners, Menus, Entertainment and –– most importantly -– a list of Industry and Scholarship Award Winners will be posted closer to the event date. Stay tuned for more information! 

(Photo/Kim Bellavance Photography)

Flight time regulations posing problems, say outfitters and First Nations

Group representing Northern Ontario’s tourist outfitters say new safety regulations for pilots are causing a burden for many sectors and communities.

A northern Ontario tourism organization and Indigenous communities are among those who say new federal regulations for pilots and flight duty times are having a negative impact. Laurie Marcil, the executive director with the Northern Outdoor Tourist Outfitters Association, said the new regulations for pilots doesn’t work for members she represents.

Transport Canada enacted the new regulations in December regarding pilots and flight duty times. Marcil said the fly-in season starts in May, with flights running supplies up to lodges, running owners up to post camps to get ready for the season and then starting to bring the first guests in.

“What we're hearing from operators is that there's less flights available, because of these [regulations]  and the air carriers are quoting that it's based on these flight duty times,” she said. “They can't fly the way they used to. They can't do split shifts. So you can't have a pilot fly in the morning and then take a break and to have no flying for a couple of hours and then fly again late afternoon.”

She said the new regulations require pilots to be considered on duty the entire time.

“It's a very challenging situation,” she said, adding operators are telling her the costs have all gone up. “The air carriers are telling us this is all coming at a time when we have an extreme pilot shortage,” she said. "So in order for air carriers to meet and comply with the regulations, and provide the same level of service that they have in the past, they need to find more pilots and experienced pilots. Not just any pilot will do.”

She said the regulations are really complicated.

"In order for companies and organizations to be able to comply with these regulations, they need a better understanding, they need Transport Canada to explain how this is all supposed to work,” she said.

Marcil said while tourism is her main focus, the regulations impact many others in the North, including the mining and forestry sectors and Indigenous communities, which is why they formed a coalition to try to get the attention of Transport Canada.

“We wanted to hear from everyone, make sure that all stakeholders were being heard, all sectors,” she said. “Our First Nation communities, they've been feeling these regulations impact them since December: Getting supplies and moving people in and out for [medical] appointments, all kinds of supply issues.”

Nishnawbe Aski Nation leaders have also spoken out against the regulations.

“Instead of unilaterally imposing unworkable regulations that will create further hardship for our First Nations, the federal government should be working with us to strengthen vital air service to northern and remote communities,” Deputy Grand Chief Victor Linklater said in a release. 

Marcil said they have tried to meet with Transport Canada to get their message across, but have heard nothing so far. She said she’s met with members of the opposition who have been very supportive, including Kenora MP Eric Melillo, who joined other Conservative MPs by releasing a statement calling on the federal transport minister to take a look at the regulations and simplify the process to allow services providers to develop their own fatigue management systems.

"There are some of the operators, some of the pilots I've been talking to who have concerns about this, but more than that, they just have questions about some of the clarity around these regulations and how it should impact them, what they should be doing. So that, that's a huge concern for us," Melillo said in an interview on Monday.

"It needs to be as transparent as possible. And we're just really urging the Federal government and Transport Canada more specifically to provide that clarity and hopefully provide that flexibility to smaller carriers that, that service Northwestern Ontario and regions like ours."

Marcil said she understands how the safety regulations can work for the large commercial airlines, like Air Canada and WestJet, but not for all operators. [Note that Air Canada had to hire about 800 additional pilots, with no increase in service levels, just to comply with the new duty time regulations. Costs will need to be passed on the Customers. - ed.]

“Not that we're not concerned about safety, everyone's concerned about safety,” she said. “But imposing this one size fits all rule is only going to create more concern for safety for the operators.” 

She said her organization is working with the Northern Air Transport Association, as well as Helicopter Association of Canada, which have done research on flight fatigue management.

“There are solutions out there that we want to tell the transport minister about because [these groups] have all the technical [information] and they've done all the research,” she said. She said the timing of the new regulations is not good.

“The cost of these new regulations on an industry coming out of two years with virtually no revenue is just heartbreaking,” she said. “These operators need to be able to generate revenue to pay back the debt that they've acquired through the emergency programs during the pandemic.” 

(Source: NWONewsWatch.com, Eric Shih. Photo/iStock)

Northern Lights Aero Foundation announces 2023 award recipients

Each year, the national not-for-profit foundation honors outstanding Canadian women who have contributed significantly to aviation or aerospace and continue to lay the groundwork for other women to enter or excel in these industries. This year three recipients have B.C. Aviation Council ties.

The 2023 recipients are:

Business Award – Cathy Press

Cathy Press, CEO of Chinook Helicopters, holds both Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing ATPLs, Class 1 Instructor and Pilot Examiner ratings. In 1997, she became the first female helicopter flight instructor in Canada. She has received numerous awards including: Elevate Aviation’s ‘Inspire’ award; Bank of Montreal’s Innovation and Global Growth Award, and, Enterprise Magazine’s Enterprising Women of the Year award. In 2019, she was recognized as one of Canada’s “Most Powerful Women” by the Women’s Executive Network. Cathy is actively involved with various industry organizations and serves on multiple boards. She has recently expanded European training partnerships in Canada and is leading the revolutionary “Virtual Simulator” project at Chinook. With a remarkable background in aviation, Cathy’s leadership has driven Chinook’s growth, expanded its training programs and established strategic partnerships. Her accomplishments have made her a role model and catalyst for change in the industry.

Trailblazer Award – Glenna Sharratt

Glenna Sharratt is a flight operations consultant providing regulatory support and guidance to Canadian air operators for the past 20 years. She has more than 45 years in the aviation industry with experience as a commercial pilot, advanced flight training instructor, approved check pilot, 20 years as a Transport Canada Flight Operations Inspector and 20 years as a consultant. Inspired by her father, Glenn Sharratt, a private pilot who loved to fly his Mooney as often as possible, she started flying when she was 19 years old. She earned her Private Pilot’s Licence at the Brandon Flying Club in three weeks, her commercial pilot licence a few months later, and then her multi-engine and instrument ratings before she was 21 years old. Her first flying job was on a Cessna 337 in Manitoba. In 1976, she became the first female pilot at Perimeter Aviation, based in Winnipeg. In 1983, Glenna joined Transport Canada as an Inspector where she worked in the Ottawa, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Victoria offices. In 2003, she started GS Aviation Consulting Inc., based in Victoria, B.C. which has become a well-respected flight operations consulting business. She has assisted hundreds of air operators with AOC start-ups, quality assurance audits, Company Operations Manuals, etc.. Glenna has been a member of the Manitoba Aviation Council, the Canadian Business Aviation Association, the BC Aviation Council and the Northern Air Transport Association.

Rising Star Award – Alisha Sohpaul

Alisha Sohpaul is a Transport Canada Airworthiness Inspector and is proudly part of the 2.8% of female AMEs in Canada. Recognizing the need for mentorship, she co-founded the “Hangar Queens”, the first female AME network in Canada. She is a licensed M1 and M2 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and has been working in the industry for the past nine years. In addition, Alisha has been a maintenance controller and a line maintenance supervisor. She volunteers with Canadian Women in Aviation and Elevate Aviation. She has been Vice-President of the Pacific Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Association and serves on the BC Aviation Council Youth Engagement committee. Alisha is passionate about giving back to the industry and enjoys promoting aviation career options for young women.

(Source: Skies Magazine, Northern Lights Aero Foundation press release. Photo/Northern Lights Aero Foundation)

Call for Volunteers!

Gain some valuable work experience, enhance your CV, expand your network and make some new friends by volunteering with the BC Aviation Council. We have a number of volunteer positions open including YPK Day Project Manager, Bookkeeper, YXX Airshow Project Manager, Online Auction Manager and more. Contact us to learn more!

(Photo/Kim Bellavance Photography)

Canada launches new process to welcome skilled newcomers with work experience in priority jobs as permanent residents

“Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages. These changes to the Express Entry system will ensure that they have the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed. We can also grow our economy and help businesses with labour shortages while also increasing the number of French-proficient candidates to help ensure the vitality of French-speaking communities. Put simply, Canada’s immigration system has never been more responsive to the country’s social or economic needs.”

– The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

• Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for those seeking to immigrate permanently through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.

• In June 2022, the Government of Canada made changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support economic priorities, such as specific work experience or knowledge of French. 

• Legislative requirements to use these new authorities include that the Minister engage in public consultations, prior to establishing a new category, with provinces and territories, members of industry, unions, employers, workers, worker advocacy groups, settlement provider organizations, and immigration researchers and practitioners. Each year, IRCC must also report to Parliament on the categories that were chosen during the previous year and the selection process, including the rationale for choosing them. 

• The categories have been determined following extensive consultations with provincial and territorial partners, stakeholders and the public, as well as a review of labour market needs. A complete list of eligible jobs for the new categories is available on our website.

• The first category-based invitations to apply are expected to be sent this summer. 

• Immigration accounts for almost 100% of Canada’s labour force growth, helping to addresses labour shortages in key sectors.

• According to Employment and Social Development Canada, the number of occupations facing shortages doubled between 2019 and 2021.

• Under the Canada–Québec Accord, Quebec establishes its own immigration levels. From 2018 to 2022, admissions under the Federal High-Skilled program accounted for between 34% and 40% of overall French-speaking admissions outside Quebec.

(Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Photo/2017 DD Images/Shutterstock)

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Attachments

• Francophone Immigration Strategy
• Hope Air 2022 Impact Report