Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association
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The Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) is a not-for-profit membership organization established to educate, promote the safety of and support the owners and pilots of certified aircraft manufactured by Cirrus Design.
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[edit] History
COPA evolved from flying enthusiasts who frequented www.sr20.org, an Internet forum initiated by Clyde Stubbs in 1999 and dedicated to discussing the Cirrus Design SR20 airplane. Early membership came from the position-holders for the yet-to-manufactured Cirrus SR20. As Cirrus popularity rose along with the introduction of the SR22 model, a formal, membership-based organization was launched. In 2001, COPA became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and www.cirruspilots.org went live. COPA was recognized in 2005 in aero-news.net's Top 10 Products/Programs as "one of the most valuable safety and educational programs that owners of the Cirrus Design series of aircraft can engage in."
In 2006 members of COPA raised more than $105,000 in a single evening to benefit the Red Tail Project, giving the project a significant boost toward their goal of bringing the story of the famed Tuskegee Airmen to every classroom in America.
[edit] Safety Initiatives
The COPA motto of "Volatus et Salus" (Latin for "Flight and Safety") evokes the commitment to flight safety with Cirrus Design airplanes and with general aviation flying in general. The COPA Code of Conduct (based on the Aviators Model Code of Conduct) serves as a recommended practices guideline to help members become safe and responsible aviators, as well as effective ambassadors to the world beyond aviation.
[edit] Cirrus Pilots Proficiency Program (CPPP)
CPPP is a pilot recurrent training program specifically designed for Cirrus aircraft. Besides the primary goal of promoting safety, completion of the program may lower insurance rates or gain access to better insurance coverage for participating pilots. The first course was in April, 2002; several sessions are offered each year at various locations around the USA.
[edit] Critical Decision Making (CDM)
Critical Decision Making seminars were pioneered by COPA to facilitate safety-oriented pilot decision-making. Today, these seminars are offered through a partnership between COPA and Cirrus Design. In addition to general aviation safety, presentations focus on analysis of accident trends and on formal individualized safety routines.
[edit] COPA Transportation and Accommodation Network (TAN)
COPA TAN volunteers agree to provide transportation and accommodations to COPA members grounded by weather or maintenance issues. Its goal is to allow pilots facing marginal conditions to make better, more safety-conscious, go/no-go decisions.
[edit] Cirrus Pilot magazine
Cirrus Pilot, a members-only bimonthly magazine, includes articles on safety, products, member stories, events and techniques.
[edit] COPA Forums
The COPA web site contains a number of message forums: some open only to members, while others are publicly accessible. The forums provide a venue to learn about Cirrus aircraft from a user perspective, ask COPA members for advice, discuss flight safety, and just "hangar fly".
[edit] Fly-in Activities
COPA members frequently gather together in various spots around the country. Some activities are purely social, but almost all involve talking about flying safely. Several provide speakers and discussion groups.
[edit] COPA Migrations
Each June/July, Cirrus owners are invited to "migrate" back to the Cirrus Design headquarters in Duluth, Minnesota, for a weekend of learning and socialization. Begun in 2003, these fly-ins, dubbed M1, M2, and so on, have grown to attract hundreds of participants. Seminars include tutorials on Cirrus-specific best practices, human factors and aviation decision-making, as well as informational presentations by Cirrus Design and OEMs on product and industry trends. The accompanying trade show further facilitates interaction between Cirrus pilots, OEMs and vendors. Family-focused activities, such as the popular "Partner-in-Command" seminar for flying companions, provide a learning environment for non-pilot attendees. Social functions rival the educational activities in drawing participants. In recent migrations those have included a welcoming "COPAcabana" party, an evening at the historic Duluth Depot, and formal banquets. Highly prized too are the opportunities for informal social interaction with fellow Cirrus pilots from around the world.
[edit] European Fly-ins
COPA members in Europe have hosted fly-ins each year in Groningen, Netherlands, Berlin, Germany and Paris, France.
[edit] COPA Bahamian Adventures
Flying your Cirrus to the Bahamas has become another annual adventure. In 2002, eight COPA members left Fort Pierce, Florida, together and spent the weekend at Marsh Harbour, Abacao, Bahamas. Since then, the annual adventure has grown to 24 airplanes and 70 people and spent weekends at North Eleuthera, back to Marsh Harbour and Freeport, Bahamas.
[edit] Southwest Regional Fly-in (SWRFI)
The COPA SWRFI began as an opportunity for area Cirrus pilots to have breakfast in Sedona, Arizona. Twenty-four COPA members arrived! Four years later, SWRFI has visited Sedona, Las Vegas, Nevada, Santa Fe, New Mexico and Monterey, California.
