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LINK to COPA for Kids Sponsors

COPA FOR KIDS

Thank you for attending the 2019 COPA For Kids Aviator Program.

C4K FLEW 162 KIDS ON SATURDAY JUNE 15th.....HOORAY FOR OUR YOUNG AVIATORS.

 

  LINK TO PHOTO'S 2019

About the COPA for Kids Aviation Program

The mission of the COPA for Kids Aviation Program is to provide a motivational aviation experience, focusing on an introductory flight in an aircraft. These flights are provided free of charge by the local chapters ('Flights') of Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) to any youth aged 8 to 17 inclusive wishing to become a Junior Aviator.

How to Participate as a Junior Aviator:

  • register for the event on line HERE!
  • tell all your friends (this is a first-registered-first-reserved event!)
  • read the instructions and FAQ information in your confirmation email
  • show up on event day - BE ON TIME! There is plenty of stuff to do, so come EARLY
  • sign in when you arrive at the airfield and have your parents SIGN THE WAIVER
  • follow all instructions given to you; you will be assigned to a Pilot and plane
  • attend the Ground School
  • be ready in the 'on deck' area before your flight
  • accompany the assigned ground-crew to board your aircraft
  • ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT!

What about the under-8 and over-17 crowd?

There is plenty for you to do, too! Make this a family and/or group event! There will be activities, static displays, exhibitors, food vendors and CYLW Community members on hand to answer questions and share how you can be more active and involved with your local airport!

 

COPA for Kids Sponsors

BC Ambulance Training Services

 

Dog’s Ear T-Shirt and Embroidery

 

Ellison Volunteer Fire Fighters

 

RCMP - Kelowna Traffic Detachment

 

RCMP – Aviation Wing

 

YLW Fire & Rescue Department

 

Paradise Hawaiian Shaved Ice

 

Wentworth Music Kelowna

 

WESTJETTERS  Volunteer pilot

 

 

YLW Duty Manager Team

 

YLW – Commissionaires

 

Central Okanagan Photographic Society

 

COPA National – Ottawa.

 

4 Less Disposal – Kelowna

 

Ogopogo Radio Controllers Model Aircraft Club

 

Faith Hope and Charity Barnstormers

 

Tow and Stow Dry Marina – West Kelowna

 

State of Mind Films – Kelowna

Skyeye UAS

 

JDS Mining

 

Freshii YLW

 

PC-Canada

 

Nav Can – YLW

 

CASARA YLW

 

Shell Aero Center – YLW

 

 

 

Kudos and Comments  COPA for Kids

Thank you to everyone that helped make this event happen again this year! Our boys are 13 and 15 and had a fabulous time! Our 15 year old is seriously considering a career in aviation. We never would have even thought about this as a career before this event. We really appreciate this event and can't thank everyone involved enough, for volunteering your time, money, planes, and patience to put this event on! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Jonathan's plan is to try to become an air traffic control person (thanks to the two gentlemen we talked to at the education booth) and then make money to take flying lessons to become a pilot. Why not have two or three careers? :) Thank you for giving our son a vision and goal in life. He is completely taken with flying!"

Dave & Esther F.

 

 

"You absolutely rock! My 17-year-old was pretty hard to please but he thought it was VERY cool! ... Once again, amazing job, you guys. I feel so lucky to have my children there."

Marriana C.

 

 

"Thank you so much. My daughter Francesca (16) Had a great time at the open day. Many thanks to all the great volunteers."

Amanda C.

 

 

"An excellent day!! Thanks to all who participated in making this a very special occasion for our 11 year old son. He had a fantastic day!"

Esther H.

 

 

"Thank you for the great opportunity! My daughter loved it: You Tube video of flight

Naomi O.

 

 

"To everyone who organized COPA for kids - Thank you. It was an amazing day:) Both my boys loved it and it has fuelled their passion to become fighter pilots to another level. Thank you once again."

Cinzia M.

 

 

​Rupert, a South African by birth, learned to fly in the South African Air Force. He is a professional educator who specialized in Technology Education - and taught secondary school in Kelowna for the past 35 years. [ret] He met his Canadian wife Cheryle - in Rhodesia [Zimbabwe] in 1974. After living the first 5 years of their marriage in Port Elizabeth, Cheryle and Rupert and their two sons, immigrated in 1981 to Kelowna BC. Rupert joined the Kelowna Flying Club back in the early 90’s, and has been an avid club member and supporter of Young Eagles and COPA for Kids Junior Aviator programs ever since. Rupert constructed and flew his own amateur built aircraft while a member of the local RAA chapter – an Ultravia Pelican 914 turbo.

 

His first ever light plane flight occurred over Johannesburg - in a Piper Tri-Pacer at age 7. He has since, been unable to donate blood to the Red Cross – as his blood type test came up as A positive – “A” - as in Avgas contaminated! But the most cherished aspect of his flying “career”- are the wonderful friendships he has made over the past 4 plus decades within the aviation community.

 

Rupert continues to enjoy these “fly-by-night/fly by day” friends he hangs out with in and around Kelowna’s YLW. When he is not too busy - he swims, works out, mountain bikes, plays guitar, sings in the Kelowna Community Gospel Choir, fishes, and serves at Trinity Baptist Church. But mostly, he thrives on enjoying – [along with Cheryle – his soul mate] – their two precious Kelowna based grandkids – Sweden and Beckham. Truly blessed.

Rupert Gruen

KFC COPA for Kids

Event Director