The Ultralight Pilots Association of Canada’s National Convention is held annually on the third weekend in August. Historically, it has been held over three days from Friday night to Sunday morning. The organized activities have been scaled back recently to occur on Saturday only; however, participants are still welcome to arrive Friday for overnight camping and stay until Sunday.
If you arrive Friday, Café Les Aires will gladly serve you up a delicious chili supper while you enjoy great conversation with your fellow aviators. Later you are invited to watch an aviation themed movie and continue the camaraderie around the campfire.
If you can’t make it for Friday night be sure to arrive early Saturday morning for breakfast. Rekindle old relationships and make new ones as you watch various aircraft arrive for the day. Stroll around the convention grounds that are filled with manufacturers exhibiting their aircraft, avionics and other wares. You may even get lucky and win a prize donated by an exhibitor.
You can also attend numerous seminars on Saturday. The seminars vary from year to year but focus on safety, whether it’s related to flying, building and/or maintaining your aircraft. Recently, your attendance at these seminars has qualified you as meeting Transport Canada’s 24 – month recurrent training requirement.
After lunch at Café Les Aires, the afternoon is reserved for UPAC’s annual general meeting (AGM). UPAC’s President, Kathy Lubitz provides the key note address summarizing the organization’s accomplishments over the past 12 months and the upcoming challenges it faces protecting your right to fly. This is then followed by the review of UPAC’s financial report and election of it’s Directors.
End your Saturday with supper at Café Les Aires and more aviation related conversation. If you are staying overnight there will be more campfires and another aviation themed movie.
CafÇ Les Aires opens early Sunday morning to serve you breakfast prior to your departure.
UPAC is run entirely by volunteers who give up their time promoting and protecting your right to fly across Canada. Unfortunately, this does cost money, so don’t forget to renew your membership and consider donating at the gate when you arrive to help cover the costs of putting on this incredible, annual event.
Check out the Events page for more details about this year’s National Convention!