Heather's Morning Walk
The tradition continues...
BCAC Chair Heather McCarley started the day by leading a group of brave early risers into the crisp, —1° morning air for a brisk walk in Cottonwood Island Park.
(Photo credit: Submitted by HJ)
PANEL 1: SUSTAINABILITY – REGIONAL UPDATE AND GLOBAL CHALLENGE
Steve Drinkwater started discussions by summarizing the highlights of the 2022 conference in Victoria, the theme of which was Beyond COVID: A Focus on Sustainability, Technology and Opportunities. Recognition of the adverse effects of climate change, aviation’s role in contributing to it, where industry was at in its efforts to minimize its contributions, and where it needed to go to meet the challenge were the topics.
YVR’s Russell Atkinson updated the audience on the BCAC's Climate Committee's work towards BC airports' push towards a 2030 target of carbon neutrality and other initiatives. Also, from YVR, was Jason Williams, appearing from his office via a video link, who presented the airport’s ‘Digital Twin’, an innovative project whereby using radar and ADS-B data superimposed on a virtual model of the airport environment, vehicle and aircraft movement can be tracked in real time. Aircraft characteristics are available by clicking the targets, including fuel burns and CO2 emissions. The audience was able to watch a live feed of the Digital Twin. Fascinating.
The CBAA’s Anthony Norejko informed delegates of how business aviation has often led the aircraft industry in innovative technologies that were later adopted by airliners, citing winglets as an example.
Presenting from Montréal over a video link, Airports Council International (ACI) representative Jennifer Desharnais highlighted the progress made collectively by airport operators in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) around the world.
(Photo credit: Heather McCarley)
TRANSPORT CANADA PACIFIC REGION CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AND RECOVERY UPDATE
Transport Canada's Regional Director General Civil Aviation Jamie Johnson gave an interesting presentation on organizational safety culture, emphasizing that being in a recovery phase post-pandemic presents its own challenges. Using case studies of accident causation to illustrate his argument, Johnson made the point that no organization should ever consider itself a ‘safe’ one and that a philosophy of continuous improvement must be adopted.
(Photo credit: Steve Drinkwater)
PANEL 2: PIPELINES, DAMS, MINES AND MEDS – PRINCE GEORGE BASE CAMP OPERATIONS
Clinton Mowbray of BC Hydro surveyed the multiple roles that aviation plays in BC Hydro’s province-wide operations, citing as examples extensive use of helicopters for a variety of aerial work and point-to-point airplane charters to transport workers to locations where airlines don’t provide scheduled services, or stopped serving during the pandemic. Mowbray stated that while the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (dba UAV, RPAS or Drones) was not yet widespread throughout BC Hydro’s operations, the Site C project does use them extensively for surveying and monitoring the worksite.
Yellowhead Helicopter’s Sean Rickards gave the delegates an overview of his company’s history, growth and current operations throughput the province.
In a Q & A format with panel moderator Cathy Press, Jason MacDonald of ONEC Logistics, who was appearing remotely from Terrace, allowed delegates to learn more of how ONEC works with companies by handling their logistics requirements, including aviation services throughout the Northeastern region of British Columbia. MacDonald proudly pointed out that the majority of his staff are Indigenous Canadians.
Appearing jointly and remotely were Sandy Lee and Dr. Anurag Singh, MD, of UBC who discussed their partnership with the First Nations Health Authority and drone manufacturer Drone Delivery Canada in a project to determine the viability of using drones to deliver medicine and other essential health care supplies to remote communities that would otherwise be difficult to reach on a timely basis. Dr. Singh pointed out that the health care delivered to remote Indigenous communities was in need of much improvement. Mission reliability were among criteria being analyzed and evaluation of its benefits was continuing.
(Photo credit: Steve Drinkwater)
Lunchtime topics
During the lunch break Prince George Tourism highlighted the regional attractions plus new approaches to tourism product development, and Prince George Airport CEO Gordon Duke highlighted the advantages his airport plays in the regional economy. They were followed by KF Aerospace’s Bryan Akerstream who presented a short history of KF Aerospace and its growth in Kelowna to become one of North America’s largest Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, with a satellite facility in Hamilton, Ontario. Akerstream also described the pilot training contract the company holds with the Department of National Defence for the training of RCAF pilots, and its efforts to bid on the upcoming consolidated aviation training contract.
(Photo credit: Steve Drinkwater)
PANEL 3: INFLUENCING PUBLIC OPINION AND GOVERNMENT POLICY
Following a ‘round table’ format, first to speak was Canadian Owners and Pilots Association’s George Farrington, who described the challenges of attracting younger members. Farrington pointed out the need for active participation with the regulators (i.e., Transport Canada and Nav Canada) to arrive at policy outcomes less onerous to general aviation. Next up was Air Canada’s Serge Corbeil who spoke about Air Canada's focus on meeting the demands of the upcoming summer travel season. He also pointed out that there will be increase travel costs resulting from the new passenger rights legislation that will eventually lead to higher fares. Trevor Boudreau of YVR spoke about relations with the different levels of government, praising the federal government for expanding the use of Electronic Travel Authorization to replace traditional visas for entry into Canada to 13 more countries. The last speaker was Warren Everson of SARMAC Consulting who spoke to the delegates via a video link from Ottawa. He said that the federal government’s track record on aviation matters showed they were not prioritizing the industry and that it will be very difficult to change this. The consensus of the panel was that we need to work together to have greater influence over government policy.
(Photo credit: Steve Drinkwater)
PANEL 4: ACAP BCAAP – ENHANCING THE ECONOMY/SOCIETY BY SUPPORTING AIRPORT CAPITAL PROJECTS
Reg Faubert of B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation spoke about the province’s program to assist in financing the development of airport infrastructure through the BC Air Access Program (BCAAP). He pointed out the extent of assistance programs to airports across the province over recent years, and the criteria used to determine qualification for assistance. Faubert also emphasized that the program will also respond to urgent requests when justified, citing as an example an airport’s deteriorating condition that led to medevac flights being cancelled. BCAAP stepped in virtually immediately to provide financing for the issue to be resolved.
Following was Faubert’s federal counterpart Warren Walrond, who manages the federal Airports Capital Assistance Program. Walrond explained that assistance could only go to certified aerodromes (airports) and that they need to have at least 1,000 commercial passengers per year to qualify for assistance. Pointing out to the delegates that although he recognized the funding provided to the program is insufficient, it was up to industry to lobby for it to be increased. "Transport Canada staff have repeatedly got this into the red zone, but it takes industry to get it over the line."
(Photo credit: Heather MacCarley)
Dinner Discussions
Delegates were transferred by bus to the Northern Lights Estate Winery for dinner on the banks of the Nechako River, where the meal was accompanied by wine made from fruits grown on the property.
Keynote speaker was recently retired De Havilland Canada CEO Dave Curtis, who brought us along on the story of Viking and Longview Aviation and its growth into the modern day De Havilland of Canada company.
(Photo credit: Steve Drinkwater)
COPA's George Farrington took to the stage to provide dinner guests with a memorable rendition of the late, great, Gordon Lightfoot's The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
(Photo Credit: James Hall)
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