COPA

Tango01 · Post by **Tango01** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 4:57 pm

Is it really worth it to join COPA?

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 5:15 pm

In a word...NO! I had a question for them several years ago. No help at all. I see COPA as an organization by and for really old guys flying Cubs on weekends. No breaks on insurance, hotels, car rentals etc. ALPA is a better deal....at least their magazine is written by people who made it through grade six! And it'll pay for itself the FIRST time you ask for a discount at a large hotel chain!
Of course, that's just my opinion...and I'm welcome to it.

N2 · Post by N2 » Sun Jun 20, 2004 5:28 pm

Ahhhh COPA the "fa rt in a wind storm" organization!

LT · Post by LT » Sun Jun 20, 2004 5:32 pm

Just get the (BMO) Master Card with the logo.

Free.

hz2p · Post by **hz2p** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 5:38 pm

No. You've almost certainly got better things to do with your cash.

COPA sees itself as an extension of Transport and the Tribunal. My taxes pay for the latter, I see no reason to voluntarily shell out for the former.

Bcn-In-Bnd · Post by **Bcn-In-Bnd** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 5:42 pm

Hey I use to like getting that yellow paper in the mail
............when I was just a private pilot.
(I hear its no longer yellow)

Pratt · Post by **Pratt** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 8:11 pm

Doc,

I am probably misinterpreting your post. Are you saying that an individual pilot can join ALPA or even subscribe to their magazine? I thought that their magazine was only for their members.

Cheers

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 9:43 pm

Aw schucks....it's late at night...never could spell!!! That's AOPA folks. Sorry 'bout that! But you cand subscribe to ALPA's news letter. But it was AOPA that I ment to toss out there. Good catch!

scubasteve · Post by **scubasteve** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 11:14 pm

This is making me curious how our little endeavor here is going? How about an update on the CAAP plans from those in the know?

mikegtzg · Post by **mikegtzg** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:06 am

Copa is a great organization to join. They are probably the only Canadian advocate of general aviation whose agenda supports pilots from grassroots to ATPL. For your $50.00 you get a very good monthly magazine. The group Silver Wings insurance program reduced my insurance costs over 50% over AIM (I have two small aircraft).
The 'old guy flying clubs' are being slowly replaced by younger guys. And getting together with a bunch of fellow pilots in a Cub or a Challenger U/L and flying somewhere for lunch is fun.
COPA in joint agreement with the EAA. Supports the YOUNG EAGLES PROGRAM. The expression on a childs face after there first flight in an open cockpit biplane is priceless. (most of the time) The have taken up cases in there legal department to protect the interests of Pilots and Airfields.
The money spent on a COPA mambership is probably the best investment a 'Canadian Pilot' can make to represent your interests to TC that wants to make too many rules.
I suggest you listen to the President of COPA speak at a venue as he travels around Canada. You will likely be very impressed at the professionalism of the people and organization. If more pilots join COPA, they will be even more effective. If you look south of the border. The American AOPA has been a strong voice of reason in this post 911 world. They have a higher pilot/membership share than our COPA. But if more CDN pilots join, they can become even more powerful in protecting your interests. As it stands, they are the largest Canadian pilot/aviation group in Canada. And even specific aviation groups such as the Recreatioanl Aircraft Assoc. of Canada publicly recommend that there members should also be members of COPA.
Also if you visit the COPA website the do list some of there specific accomplishments. I am simply a member of COPA, and very happy with the what I have recieved for my $50.00

Panama Jack · Post by **Panama Jack** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 12:23 am

Pratt wrote:Doc,

I am probably misinterpreting your post. Are you saying that an individual pilot can join ALPA or even subscribe to their magazine? I thought that their magazine was only for their members.

Cheers

Actually, yes, I believe you still can subscribe to their magazine. Years ago as a budding career pilot I subscribed to the ALPA magazine-- interesting reading especially during the era of the Eastern Airlines strike and ALPA vs. Lorenzo. For a time they also had a membership program called the "Association of Independent Airmen (AIA)." I believe it may still exist, and provides for the magazine subscriptions and a few other benefits for pilots at non-ALPA carriers.

Regarding COPA, be aware that it is a membership-based organization and it's strength is directly related to the membership level and funds (lobbying and political action require big bucks). It also depends on the talent in the pool and the voice of it's members. Unfortunately, too many people join organizations like COPA or a pilot organization like ALPA and sit back, relax, and wait for things to be done for them. These groups are not the Automobile Association or your insurance company!

ahramin · Post by **ahramin** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 1:08 am

I joined because of their insurance. For half the price of insuring my car, i am covered for every aircraft i fly under 4500 pounds. Including gliders, homebuilts, helicopters, whatever. I can jump into any plane, any where, any when. Other insurance policies will not do this for ten times the money.

That is enough for me, but in addition, COPA does more for our rights as private pilots than any other organization.

N2 · Post by N2 » Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:15 am

Miketzg I also own a aircraft and COPA's insurance came in much higher than what I am paying now for the same coverage. None of the guys I know with aircraft insure through COPA. AS for the Young Eagles program I have also flown flights carrying the kids but stopped because we in Canada are getting short changed. Look at what the pilots in the States get for flying YE, a pretty heavy fuel discount and what do we get? Squat! Why isn’t COPA getting us fuel discounts the way EAA and AOPA does in the states?

Most of the kids that I flew were 4th or 5th time riders with little or no interest in aviation. The parents look at it as a free plane ride, which was never the intended purpose of it. I don't know about you but something just gets under my skin when I see parents pulling up in their $60k SUV so junior can have a free ride on me!

Are they still using Marsh?

Pratt · Post by **Pratt** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 9:01 pm

Doc, thanks for the clarification and PJ for the other info.

mikegtzg · Post by **mikegtzg** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 8:47 pm

N2- The insurance saving with COPA was only slightly on the not-in motion portion for both planes. But the Passenger liability and general Liability was half, as the COPA plan is on the pilot. I only had to purchase the one policy. The negative is I am the only pilot. And an additional pilot has to purchase there own policy. Both aircraft are 2 seaters, and I've heard that on 4 seaters they are less competitive. Marsh is still the broker.
Your negative on the Young Eagles hasn't occured in our area. Perhaps we promote our events to a different groups than in your area.
The fuel discount would be nice, but I doubt anyone in Canada (incl. the Gov't) has the power to get a better deal.

In a nutshell, If you ever have the chance to hear Kevin Psutka Speak. (COPA'S Pres.) You will be sold on the $50.00 to join.

N2 · Post by N2 » Wed Jun 23, 2004 5:39 am

Mike I had dinner with Kevin and a few other COPA members so I've heard him talk. Fact is that's his job, to sell COPA.

Wilbur · Post by **Wilbur** » Wed Jun 23, 2004 3:55 pm

Like any organization, COPA has its strengths and weaknesses. However, in Canada it is the only voice that general aviation has. COPA has been instrumental in protecting GA from the commercial interests controlling Nav Canada, fighting the facist environmentalist movement's attempts to ban aircraft from over flying or going into parks, extending your medical validity period, and a host of other issues impacting GA.

Nav Can is controlled by commercial aviation interests, and TC is heavily populated at the top end with ex military people. Make no mistake, both groups fundementally believe we should follow the European model with GA. Simply put, they veiw GA pilots as under qualified, their aircraft under powered and unsafe, and their existance a general nuisance interferring with "real" pilots flying for commercial purposes. Without the work COPA does these nit wits would quickly make it impossible to go for a hundred dollar hamburger on a sunny afternoon.

If you are an active GA pilot or owner you ought to belong.