EAA Canadian Council Welcomes New Board Members and Thanks Retirees

September 2020 – We've recently had some changes to your Canadian Council, which represents the interests of Canadian EAA members in Oshkosh and supports the educational activities at AirVenture, including the Canada Tent. We've had some retirements, a relocation, and some new additions.

One of our retiring members is Ed Lubitz. Ed has been on the Canadian Council for approximately 15 years, providing valued insight and perspective. Ed and his wife, Kathy, resurrected EAA Chapter 115 in Plattsville, Ontario. Their chapter has grown to be an extremely successful and committed group. Chapter 115 has approximately 90 members and they host a delicious breakfast every week. The money raised by hosting the breakfast covers the chapter's dues, and Chapter 115 has even mentored and supported a Ray Scholar. That is, a youth whose flight training is supported through the Ray Aviation Scholarship Fund.

Ed Lubitz (L) and Lloyd Richards at our November 2019 Council meeting.

Our other outgoing council member is Lloyd Richards. Lloyd is a real aviation enthusiast and EAA supporter. Lloyd has been on the Canadian Council for countless years and has been volunteering at AirVenture for more than 40 years. He is one of the founders of the Young Eagles program, having worked closely with both Paul and Tom Poberezny. Lloyd and his Chapter, 1126 from Timmins, Ontario, have been flying Young Eagles since the program's inception and have provided the opportunity to fly to thousands of youths. Lloyd has flown almost 2,700 Young Eagles. That is not a typo. Almost two thousand seven hundred Young Eagles flown by Lloyd alone! Besides supporting and introducing Young Eagles to aviation, Lloyd had organized and chartered commercial flights to AirVenture for members in his chapter and community for many years.

Patrick Gilligan has recently moved from Ottawa to the Penticton, British Columbia, area. Besides continuing to assist with his strong relations and connections to Transport Canada and Nav Canada, Patrick's new location will provide a greater geographical breadth to the Canadian Council.

Patrick Gilligan at the same meeting.

We're really pleased to announce two great additions to your Canadian Council.

Phil Johnson, from the Ottawa area, has had a strong interest in aviation since his childhood in the U.K. Like many of us, Phil was in Air Cadets. He has scratch built a beautiful Cozy MK IV, modifying it to be powered by a Subaru auto engine and it includes full retracts. Phil provides Tech Councillor support to other builders in his area. He is very active in Chapter 245, Ottawa, and has been on Chapter 245's board since 2006. Phil winters in California and, while south, is active with Chapter 1289 in French Valley, California. He's a Young Eagles pilot, has volunteered at AirVenture for many years, and organises the camping for Chapter 245 at AirVenture. You can read an excellent account of the first flight of Phil's Cozy here.

Phil in Larry Hill's Nanchang CJ-6.

Chris Moran of Bradford, Ontario, has been an aviation enthusiast since attending the 1967 Abbotsford air show at the impressionable age of 11. Chris describes himself as being an avid aviation fan and an avid aviation photographer ever since. Chris obtained his PPUL some years ago. Chris has volunteered at AirVenture for 20 years. He arrives early to help prepare for AirVenture and stays till after the show to help wrap up. Chris has worked all aspects of the flightline in the Fun Fly Zone for Rotorcraft. Chris recognizes the exposure to aviation that he was given by attending his first air show and is enthusiastic to help promote aviation to younger people who might not otherwise have the opportunities to fly or get involved in aviation.

Chris Moran and his "twin", EAA's Tim Hoversten (no relation) over Door County, Wisconsin.

We're looking forward to working with these two new council members to continue on the initiatives and legacy provided by Ed and Lloyd.