INNISFAIL – Big Bend Airport is set to host the western portion of the 2019 Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) convention.
The three-day event will take place from June 6 to 8.
Shane Cockriell, president of the Innisfail Flying Club, said it is the first time Big Bend Airport, located 11 kilometres northwest of town along Highway 54, has hosted the annual convention and the first time with co-hosts.
Cornwall, Ont. is also hosting a COPA convention, for Eastern Canada in August. The reason for the two locations came down to cost and distance. “It’s a lot of money to come out here, especially if you’re flying your own airplane,” said Cockriell. “It is the first time Innisfail has hosted the COPA Convention and Trade Show. Red Deer has held it in the past.” It will be a full three days for participants, said Cockriell, with events that will include a trade show, seminars, exhibits, the annual general meeting and awards, fly-outs, a remote control demonstration and more.
“There is a trade show where aviation-themed exhibitors are coming to put on their wares,” he added. “On Thursday and Friday there’s seminars all day on different topics, from restoring Second World War aircraft to Transport Canada and Nav Canada giving presentations.”
Cockriell said they are expecting several hundred participants and members of the public for the event.
“Right now we probably have 200 people registered but if it’s a day like today, that will at least double. If it’s raining, people will stay away because you can’t fly in,” he said. “We’re expecting 300 to 500 people and a couple of hundred airplanes, weather depending.” While the convention is open only to COPA members, the public and flying or airplane enthusiasts, are welcome to pay for a COPA membership and register to attend workshops and events. They do not have to own a plane, Cockriell added.
However, members of the public will have a separate time to view aircraft and displays during the trade show, he added.
“The public will be allowed in to view the planes and walk through the trade show on Saturday afternoon from 12 to 4 p.m.,” said Cockriell.
“The public can come in with their family and walk through and see what we’re all about.”
Cockriell said the airport had to apply to host the convention. They were up against several bigger, higher- profile airports including those from Saskatoon, Edmonton and Kelowna and did not expect to win the bid to host the event.
Since being awarded the 2019 COPA convention, several individuals and organizations, including those in the aviation community and the Town of Innisfail, have come together to help prepare and plan for the national convention.
“Without them we couldn’t have done this. It’s very much been a collaborative event,” Cockriell concluded.
