Phil Lightstone

Richmond Hill, ON

Phil is a licensed pilot with over 1,700 hours, holding a VFR, Night and VFR OTT ratings.  He has volunteered with a number of aviation organizations, including Young Eagles, COPA for Kids, Hope Air, Canadian Air & Space Museum, Pickering Airpark and is a member of the Buttonville Flying Club (COPA Flight 44). He is a partner in a Commander 114b.

Aviation is part of his DNA, at an early age building/flying balsa model airplanes, rockets, radio controlled models and full-scale aircraft.  He has been/is a member in the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Model Aeronautics Association of Canada, Kingston R/C Modellers (past director), Richmond Hill Model Airplane Club (past director), AOPA and COPA.

Phil is the past President and Director of the Local Area Network Dealers Association (LANDA), representing the Network industry in Canada. LANDA’s focus included education, mentorship, collaboration, social and end user awareness. He has sat on numerous North American IT Industry advisor boards. He is the former Marketing Director of the Office Automation Professionals of Canada.

Phil has published articles appearing in Canadian Jewellers Magazine, Computing Canada, COPA and LinkedIN, and endeavors to educate and share his knowledge.

Phil’s interest is to help COPA execute meaningful change to impact the day to day flight and aviation experiences for COPA’s membership, aviation industry and the general public. As a technology professional and GA pilot, he brings the skills to help COPA transition into the digital era and grow COPA’s membership, including attracting new student pilots.  Phil’s DNA is about insightful execution and delivery.