COPA Aviation Guides

These aviation guides have been written by COPA as an additional service to members. The following packages are multi-paged booklets full of information gathered from COPA Staff, COPA Flight contributors, and members. The COPA Guides are updated on a continuing basis so please check this page for the latest version before using information contained in any Guide. Some of the links below are not active because the Guides are available only to COPA members. Members can access all of the Guides from the members only section www.copanational.org/non-members/MembersOnly.htm . Paper versions are also available from the COPA Office for a fee to cover printing and mailing costs.

COPA Guide to COPA For Kids - HTML format > MS Word format > PDF format
This guide is designed for COPA Flights and COPA members who wish to fly young people. COPA For Kids aviation program provides free of charge a motivational aviation experience, initiating young people to the science of flight. This COPA Guide will provide just about everything you need to know to get started flying young people in  your area.

AOPA/COPA Guide to Cross Border Operations – HTML format> MS Word format > PDF format
Written jointly by AOPA and COPA, this extensive guide is for pilots planning to fly across the Canadian/American border for the first time. It includes information for pilots of either country on cross-border flight procedures, regulations, customs and much more. COPA Member paper copy price  $20.00. Non-member price: $30.00

COPA Guide to Buying an Aircraft - HTML format> MS Word format > PDF format                  
This guide to private aircraft purchasing starts with determining the right aircraft and goes to completion of the sale. The extensive detail is designed to carry first time aircraft buyers safely through the process. The package includes step-by-step procedures, good-to-know tips, articles by well-known authors and forms for Offer to Purchase, Bill of Sale and two different sample Partnership Agreements. COPA Member paper copy price  $20.00. Non-member price: $30.00

COPA Guide to the COPA Flights - HTML format > MS Word format > PDF format                                  
COPA Flights are the local chapters of COPA. Join the growing number of aviation communities that are establishing COPA Flights to revitalize recreational flying in their area. This guide outlines how to start, run and promote a COPA Flight. paper copy price: FREE!

COPA Guide to Getting Back into Flying - HTML format > MS Word format > PDF format                                
This guide is for people who used to fly and would like to get back into flying. It explains the requirements and gives an easy checklist to get you though the medical, recency and recurrency requirements along with much more useful information.  paper copy price: FREE!

COPA Guide To Estimating Aircraft Operating Costs - HTML format                                                                    
This is an aircraft operating cost estimating program. Just plug in the numbers and the program works out your aircraft costs per year and per hour. Requires Microsoft Excel to operate. Paper copy price: FREE! Note: This is really not well adapted to paper copy since it is an Excel spreadsheet, but a copy can be mailed to those who need it.

COPA Guide to Private Aerodromes - HTML format > MS Word Format > PDF format                                      
Completely revised with more information on Federal Jurisdiction! This guide will assist COPA members in developing their own private aerodrome including dealing with municipal and provincial governments. COPA member paper copy price  $10.00. Non-member price: $15.00

This guide was written as a result of numerous requests by airport managers and municipal officials for guidance material on how the most successful public airports are run.  The guide includes information gathered from those that run the country’s most successful airports about landing fees, airport governance structure, tax applications and much more.  This COPA Guide is publicly available and is not “members only”.  COPA member paper copy price  $10.00. Non-member price: $15.00

COPA Guide to Enforcement – HTML format > MS Word Format > PDF format                                                   
Newly updated, this is a COPA guide to assist you when you find yourself the subject of a Transport Canada enforcement action, including what to expect, how the system works and how to deal with the investigation process and TATC (formerly CAT) appeal, if necessary. The guide deals with loss of medical appeals too.  COPA Member paper copy price  $10.00. Non-member price: $15.00

COPA Guide to the Owner-Maintenance Category - HTML format > MS Word format > PDF format                  
This guide explains the background and regulations governing the Owner-Maintenance Aircraft Category. It includes everything you need to know to put an aircraft in the O-M category. COPA Member paper copy price  $10.00. Non-member price: $15.00

COPA Guide to Amateur-Builts – HTML format > MS Word format > PDF format                        
This guide is designed as an introduction to amateur-built aircraft of all types. It takes the pilot new to amateur-builts through the whole spectrum of aircraft in this category, including airplanes, helicopters, gyroplanes, balloons, airships, gyrogliders and lots more. This Guide is designed to give you the background information that you will need to get involved in amateur-built aircraft, whether you are planning to design your own plane, build from plans, build a kit or buy a used amateur-built aircraft. It covers some of the pitfalls, regulations and choices available. It is designed to get you started! COPA member paper copy price  $20.00. Non-member price: $30.00

COPA Guide to the Limited Class - HTML format >  MS Word format > PDF format  
Welcome to the fascinating world of ex-military Warbirds, Soviet Bloc transports, jet trainers, military liaison aircraft, non-certified sailplanes from exotic parts of the world and many more unusual types of aircraft – the uniquely Canadian “limited class”. This Guide will walk the pilot or prospective owner of one of these aircraft through the new Canadian rules, covering the advantages and the pitfalls found in this diverse group or aircraft. COPA member paper copy price  $20.00. Non-member price: $30.00.

COPA Guide to Gliding - HTML format > MS Word format > PDF format  
Welcome to the wonderful world of flying without powerplants, This guide - externally written for COPA by the Soaring Association of Canada, covers all aspects of gliding and soaring in Canada.  COPA member paper copy price  $20.00. Non-member price: $30.00.