Tim Cole Announces His Retirement as BC/YT COPA Director

It is with mixed feelings that I share the news that Tim Cole has announced his retirement as a COPA director. For nearly 7 years Tim has selflessly advocated for British Columbia and Yukon’s pilots on the national scale. Tim has never been more than one phone call or email away. As a director, Tim has drawn on his experience as a bush pilot, Transport Canada Inspector and recreational pilot to become a trusted advisor and confidant of many aviators in Western Canada. 

Tim Cole has been a very vocal supporter and advocate of the BC General Aviation Association. Tim recognized the value of the BCGA early on and was not shy to share that support with COPA members accross the country with his column in the COPA magazine on more than one occaision. As an organization and community it is now our turn to serve Tim as well as he has served us for the entirety of his career.

Respectfully Yours,
Ryan Van Haren
BC General Aviation Association (COPA Flight #194)  

Announcement Letter From Tim Cole:

This is a note to my many friends in the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association, and friends of COPA,  that effective December 31, 2016 I have decided to retire from my position as a COPA director for BC & YT.      

This action will allow me to:  spend more time with my family;  to travel;  to fly my aircraft; and to devote my time to a long deferred personal literary project.   

I have enjoyed my six and one half years as: COPA’s BC & YT representative; COPA’s Treasurer; and Chairman of the Audit Committee. I am leaving this office with eighteen months remaining in the term, however I am comfortable in doing so in that I am confident that our recently elected director, Joe Hessberger, will  provide outstanding service to the BC & YT members, and to the Board. 

I believe that COPA has played, and needs to continue to play, a very prominent role in the aviation community in Canada.    I remain a staunch supporter of COPA and I encourage all of you to support COPA in it’s efforts to represent the GA community and to protect Canadians  “Freedom to Fly.”    

Being a member of five COPA Flights/Flying Clubs, as well as the RAA and EAA, I still plan to be active in the BC flying community.    Until I see you at the airport, I wish you all that old bush pilot’s blessing:   

“May you have tight floats & tailwinds.”
  W.T. (Tim) Cole