Meet Grant Bailey from North Bay, ON

I am a recreational pilot who has been flying for 48 years. I have logged over 1,500 hours as pilot-in-command and hold both a night and seaplane rating. Aircraft that I have owned include a 1946 Cessna 140, 1964 Lake LA-4, 1967 Mooney M20-F, 1951 Taylorcraft 19, 1963 Cessna 150C, and my current airplanes, a 1956 Piper PA-22 Tripacer, a 1946 Aeronca 7AC Champ, and a 1971 Bellanca 7ACA Champ project airplane. In 2007, after five years of work, I completed a frame-up restoration on a 1951 Taylorcraft Model 19 in the Owner Maintenance category. I currently serve as a Director on the Board of North Bay Jack Garland Airport, I am a past Captain of COPA Flight 23 in North Bay, and I am currently seeking re-election as the incumbent Director representing Northern Ontario on the COPA Board.

Through my career, I worked for over forty years in the rail industry as a professional engineer with extensive experience in operations, maintenance, regulatory affairs, and senior management. I have lived, worked, and flown in all regions of the country from Quebec to British Columbia and I am intimately familiar with Northern Ontario, having lived and worked in both Thunder Bay and North Bay. In addition to rail experience, I have had a lifelong interest in aviation and have broad knowledge and understanding of airplanes, airports, and general aviation matters.  I have significant experience serving at the director and executive committee level on volunteer boards.

I view COPA as an essential association to ensure the sustainability of general aviation in Canada.  If elected, I will work towards seeing COPA continue to focus on promoting general aviation, attracting new pilots and members, advocating for the freedom to fly in Canada, and improving the benefits and services that are important to association members.