Newsletter Archive/Archives du bulletin

webstertrophy.ca Newsletter #009 - 2016

Good day everyone.

Sad News: It is very unfortunate to have to end the 2016 Webster competition with bad news however our Webster webmaster Ragi Sekaly passed away suddenly sometime last week. We were not informed until our return to Ottawa on Monday. We met Ragi many years ago when he lived in Ottawa and he took an immediate interest in helping us develop and maintain our website. Ragi subsequently moved to Vancouver and the last time we saw him was at the Awards Banquet last year. It is unknown at this time what caused his passing he was a good friend to the programme and will be sorely missed. Ragi ran his website business as a sideline and therefore was the only person involved. Because of this there may be a delay in accessing his files and moving the site to another webmaster. We can still put out news articles and updates such as this through the system he set up however more complicated items such as the 2016 photos and 2017 application packages may be delayed until access to his files has been gained. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

2016 Webster Is Closing Down: This year was one of the best competitions I think we have ever had. It was certainly a roller coaster ride leading up to it with a number of serious issues requiring addressing however once Webster Week started it went flawlessly. There are so many people than must be thanked and hopefully as we do every year a detailed article of acknowledgement will go out to the aviation trades shortly, however the Webster Team of Brenda Reid, Arlo Speer, Conrad Hatcher, Brian Shury & Kevin Psutka as usual did a magnificent job of keeping everything on an even keel. The weather with the exception of one day co-operated fully. Brampton Flight Centre was exceptional! There is no other word to describe what they did as hosts. Breakfast and lunch was supplied every day for the judges and finalists, their aircraft were in pristine shape and scheduling and dispatching was a well oiled machine. A special thanks goes to Bill Welsh at Diamond Flight Centre who supplied us a Katana C-1 from London for one of our finalists. It's support like this that make the programme so worthwhile. Redbird representative Josh Harnagel requires a definite salute for coming all the way up from Austin, Texas to spend the week with us to ensure that the sim ran smoothly and the Webster test worked as it should.

The Awards Banquet was attended by close to 100 people from all over the aviation community, families and friends and covered by WINGS & Skies magazines. Most of all however was the turnout of 14 alumni. 3 others were scheduled to come but could not at the last minute. This is a night to celebrate the 9 finalists and determine the Webster winner, Mark Crha, Eastern Ont. region flying out of Seneca College and runner-up, Michael Bryson, Manitoba region and flying out of Harv's Air and we did just that.

Stepping Down: The final commitments to the closing down of the 2016 Webster competition will take place over the next week or so as thank you letters are sent out, an acknowledgement article to the aviation trades is written and different odds and sods are taken care of as needed at which point the obligations of Amy and I will be concluded as stewards of the competition. That role has already begun for our new National Administrator Brenda Reid in respect of the 2017 event and we already see a phenomenal enthusiasm and a number of new innovative ideas taking place. We will remain in a very supportive role as required and only when required. This is now her show and we are certain that this competition will excel to even greater heights. We formally thank all of you who have loyally supported us over the last ten years and one more time we must say that the Webster memorial Trophy Competition could not have achieved the status and prestige it has without all your involvement and generosity.

Wayne

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