Hard to believe it’s back-to-school time. I find it very satisfying to observe something different in every flight: farm fields that start out dark and empty, to the first wisps of green, to bright yellow canola and golden wheat, to the clouds of dust in harvest. This is one of the reasons I love flying.
Back from AirVenture, we’re working through the comments we heard from those that stopped by our Canadian Pavilion. We had a number of individuals indicate they’d like guidance to start an EAA chapter in the following communities:
- Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
- Windsor, Ontario
- Sudbury, Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
Chapters Coordinator Phil Johnston is working with contacts in these areas. If you’re from one of these areas or you would like to see a chapter started in your community, please email Phil at chapters.eaacc@gmail.com.
We’ve also had a number of requests to hear more about Canadians that have either previously or currently have a build project. We would like to start a “Build of the Month” feature in Bits and Pieces. Please contact Ian Brown, our Bits and Pieces editor, at newsletter.eaacc@gmail.com with your project details and photos.
We also heard that Canadian pilots are anxious about ADS-B and what is happening. Many are concerned at the potential requirement to have to spend thousands to become compliant. We continue to have a technical advisor, Mr. Brian Pinsent, advocating for general aviation within the ADS-B mandate. In the coming months, we will provide an update.
We heard many comments that Canadians were very pleased with the Little Canada camping opportunity, our Welcome BBQ on Sunday night, the complimentary hot coffee each morning generously supplied by Lost Aviator Coffee, condiments and donuts generously supplied by Melaya and Chris Horsten of Sport Aircraft Canada, cold water stations, fast Wi-Fi, Thursday’s Ice Cream Social, and our Canadian Breakfast sponsored by Global featuring Canada’s very own Northern Stars Aeroteam. I’d like to thank our volunteer team that made all of this possible and for EAA’s support in recognizing that Canadian EAA members and the Canadian aviation community as a whole are very important.
We’re already starting plans for AirVenture 2026 and welcome your input on presentation ideas and, of course, your ongoing contributions to Bits and Pieces. Please send me an email with your thoughts to chair.eaacc@gmail.com.
Heads Up: Potential Scam
At the Canadian Pavilion, we had an American Mooney pilot stop by and indicate that she received a text that was supposedly from NAV CANADA, asking her for her billing information. I took this to NAV CANADA, and here’s what Heather McGonigal, assistant vice president stakeholder and industry relations, had to say about it:
“I would say that this is a scam — our finance and Customer & Stakeholder Services team would not be texting a customer for billing information. Any official queries from NAV CANADA would be sent via email or by phone. If there is ever any doubt, people can contact our team at:
Toll free at: 1-800-876-4693; TTY: 1-866-662-6478; or 1-866-563-3997
Email: service@navcanada.ca
Hours of operation: 0800-1700 Monday to Friday”
