Newsletter Archive/Archives du bulletin

webstertrophy.ca Newsletter #2020-01

Earlier, we provided information about the 2019 Webster winner and runner-up. We also recognised some of our supporters who helped make the Webster Week and the national finals such a successful event. It's now time to recognise our many sponsors who provide support that keeps the Webster Memorial Trophy Competition happening from year to year and to acknowledge the contributions of those sponsors who provide prizes and awards to our finalists.

Air Canada Flight Operations is the main sponsor of the Webster Trophy Competition, and has been since 1980. Although the Webster Trophy Competition began in 1932, it has been interrupted twice since then -- first in the 1940s because of World War II and again from the mid-1950s because of escalating costs. Air Canada stepped up to the plate in 1980 to help the Webster Trophy regain its place in Canadian Aviation. Air Canada's contributions help us defray administrative costs associated with the competition. Air Canada also provides transportation for the Webster finalists and the Webster team and transports our competition-related materials. Our main sponsor also offers flight passes to the winner each year and offers an interview opportunity to Webster finalists once they have gained the required flght experience and qualifications.

One significant benefit from participating in the Webster Trophy Competition is the opportunity for our finalists to meet and talk with key members of Canada's aviation community. For those with an eye on an aviation career, the chance to talk with aviation managers from across the spectrum of Canadian aviation can be invaluable. Brampton Flight College offers guaranteed employment as a flight instructor to any Webster finalist who holds an Instructor Rating. Moncton Flight College offers finalists a bursary toward flight instructor training at MFC, followed by a guaranteed job as a flight instructor upon sucessful completion of the training. First Air and Exploits Valley Air Service both provide Webster finalists with an invitation to a job interview once the finalist meets the airline's hiring requirements.

Webster finalists are also given a number of professional development opportunities. Aero-Formatech offers our finalists its on-line Theoretical Firefighting and Evacuations on Water training sessnion. On-line Single-Pilot Resource Management provides each finalist with access ot its interactive, entertaining and educational programme that teaches crucial safety skills for general aviation pilots. CAE offers finalists a one-hour session on a CAE heavy aircraft flight simulator.

Webster contributors have also thought of those who help our finalists succeed. The Canadian Business Aviation Association provides a grant to the flight training unit that trained the regional winner and finalist from the region where the CBAA's annual meeting is held. This year, that award goes to Cooking Lake Aviation, Jason Buma's home school. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds provides each finalist with a personalised lithograph signed by the members of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. The Webster winner also is invited to a Professional Development Day with the entire Snowbirds team at its home base in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. FlightSafety International gives a cash award to the flight training unit where the Webster winner trained. Those funds are to be used toward the training costs of future Webster Trophy competitors. This fall, that award will be presented to Moncton Flight College, Brady Parcel's home school; the presentation will take place at the ATAC convention in Montréal. Seneca College offers to the instructor who trained the Webster winner a seat on its Instructor Refresher Course.

Robert Bradford, C.M. is a pioneering and renowned Canadian aviation artist who spent his "working life" with aircraft and subsequently blended that passion with his rare gift of bringing aircraft to life on canvas. The Webster winner and runner-up are each presented with a framed Bradford print depicting John Webster's aircraft.

Hamilton Watches (and its local affilliate, la Mine d'or in Moncton) hosted the Webster Team and finalists at a cocktail reception during Webster Week (where finalists were able to get up close to some fantastic time pieces and jewellery). Hamilton Watches also presents the Webster winner and runner-up with Hamilton Khaki Aviation X-Wind Auto Chrono watches.

A number of supporters provide cash awards to our finalists. The Northern Lights Award goes to each female Webster finalist. This year, Stacey Jackson (herself a former Webster finalist) presented the award to Christina von Bulow. The Air Canada Pilots Association presents a cash award to the Webster winner; this year Mark Jobling (the 1985 Webster winner) presented the award to Brady Parcels.

Other supporters provide funds for the general operation of the competition. The Airline Pilots Association helps defray costs associated with hotel accommodation and flight activities. As well, we are very grateful to Air Canada rouge, the Air Canada Pilots Association, CAE Inc., Jazz Aviation LP, NAV CANADA and Aviation Publishers for their generous financial support.

Webster finalists are presented with various aviation-related memberships and subscriptions. The EAA provides a one-year membership and a subscription to Sport Aviation. WINGS Magazine offers each finalist a one-yer subscription to WINGS Magazine. COPA (in addition to hosting the Webster Trophy Competition website) offers finalists a one-year membership. Canadian Aviation magazine provides a subscription to Canadian Aviation. The College of Professional Pilots of Canada promotes safety, professionalism and stewardship in the public interest and offers finalists a one-year membership along with a cash award. Finalists also receive a subscription to SKIES. The Air Transport Association of Canada presents each finalist with a Certificate of Achievement.

Being in aviation and a Webster finalist brings with it a chance to travel. Air Canada provides flight passes to get the finalists and Webster team from their homes to the location of the national finals. Air Canada also provides the Webster winner with two passes for travel through North and South America -- Rod Graham, Air Canada's Chief Pilot and Director of Fleet Operations and Training, presented those passes to Brady Parcels. First Air provides a pass for two persons to travel Canada's north. Aaron Speer, Vice-President of Flilght Operations with First Air presented the pass to Christina von Bulow.

All Webster finalists receive a Webster Trophy Competition plaque to commemorate their involvement with this piece of Canadian Aviation history. The Webster applicant achieving the highest score on the on-line examination that is part of the regional portion of the Webster competition receives the NAV CANADA Award. Normand Richard, Manager Air Traffic Services for the Moncton Flight Information Region presented the NAV CANADA Award to Wesley Li. Redbird Flight Simulations presents the Redbird Award to the finalist achieving the highest score on the flight scenario completed in the Redbird simulator. Harvey Madison, Instructional Designer with Redbird presented the award to Dmitri Komarov. The Webster runner-up (Dmitri Komarov) was presented with the Eunice Carter Award (named in honour of a former Webster Trophy National Administrator); his name will be engraved on that award. The Webster winner (Brady Parcels) was presented with the Webster Trophy and his name will be engraved on that trophy.

Both the Eunice Carter Cup and the Webster Trophy are on public display and available for all to visit at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa. A replica of the Webster Trophy is on temporary display at the winner's school, Moncton Flight College.

With another highly successful Webster Week in the history books, the Webster team wants to express its sincere appreciation to all of those who support the Webster Trophy Competition. While it might sound cliché, we certainly couldn't do it without you! The continued support of all of those who contribute to the Webster Trophy helps us influence the futures of Canada's young aviators and helps us keep an important part of Canadian aviation history alive.

Now, we're off to continue planning Webster 2020 ... to be held 24 - 29 August 2020. We're looking forward to working with our Partner School, Alkan Air in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Until our next update .... Happy Thanksgiving, all,

Your Webster team

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