Great input folks! What about tightening it just a bit more - to, say, the Association of Canadian Helicopter (or Rotorcraft) Professionals? Or maybe all the way - to Canadian Helicopter Professionals (an association by connotation).
Since we're down to the nitty-gritty, does it mean we're agreed it's a go? Sure as hell looks like it! Go, Black Don, go!
So if you go with Canadian Helicopter Professionals then you become the CHP. If CTD joins does he get to stick a little flashing light on his bike, wear tight pants and carry a gun pulling over innocent young nubile women in convertibles.
Oh sorry thats the California Highway Patrol - wrong CHP
Well, Neville, I've never been too enthralled with the 'south of the border' penchant for reducing everything to a jumble of letters but, if you really have to do so, why not make it 'CHOP' then - Canadian Helicopter Operating Professionals. B)
So Downwash does that mean if some Asian gentlemen says I want to become a member of your association CHOP CHOP, does that mean he wants you to do it in a hurry or he wants to become a member twice
I just wasn't sure if the AMEs would feel aircrew was appropriate. Your points wrt licencing, ramp access and signing authority are well taken. People (like those you mentioned) represented by a union will not need our help.
Spinwing - You say it would limit the membership to TC licensees. Then what happens to people such as the base manager for CHC Intl in far off countries that might have a local licence but not a TC issued one, and they are Canadian. Might only be a few of them but still worth considering.
How about making it for anyone working for a company involved in the Canadian helicopter industry.
I like the comment about not establishing any hierarchy.
Also, am concerned about the use of the word "Professional." Yes, we're like minded and try to do the best job possible but that performance can easily be measured by someone who does not have any helicopter industry skill - how often do you prang or how much do you cost your employer in bent parts when you do the job poorly. No, I think a word other than "Professional" is called for.
I like the use of "Canadian" in the name as well.
Just my thoughts. I'm planning to join whatever gets set up. In the end it's the fact that its happening. The name is just semantics!
Excellent points, as always. (Good to see you back and contributing, again)
However, I do disagree with the "crew" thingy. Personaly, I as would some other engineers, would prefer to not see crew included. Generally speaking, GANNET hit the nail on the head (Maybe he had those cool looking Randolphs off) with his statement concerning the engineers.
Most engineers, (I'm generalizing here) would prefer not to deal with the implications of the "Crew" thing. It implys that we are aircrew. While we do recognize the contribution of drivers (whether good or bad) to the completion of a contrac/job, the general concenus is that the majority of companies are owned by pilots, managed by pilots and a concerned only with the interest of pilots.
I.E. How many engineer endorsed ONLY, are base managers? For that matter how many drivers do you know that would be content having an engineer as a manager? (Truthfully, now. Don't express false opinions behind the computer screen)
Basically. despite the ribbing and jokes about the status, most engineers feel that that their station in MOST companies (not all) are secondary to that of the driver.
Therefore, most would rather not see the current trend continue.
We both know that engineers need the driver to put the damned thing in motion, and the driver knows that he/she needs the engineer to help him keep it in motion.
As I have stated earlier, I do not belong to an AME association, basically because they have turned into an "Old Boys Club" whose prime concern is maintaining the interest of the few, not the many. I would like to see this Organization maintain the interest of the whole, not the few.
Sounding better all the time..... I think over time we can come to a consences (sic) on a name for the group; right now I think everyone is doing the proper thing just keeping the ball rolling!!
For what it's worth, I think it would be better if we can keep the word Canadian out of the name, not only will that preclude expansion outside of Canada if we ever wanted to go that way, but also, brings (too much) to mind a certain operator here in Canada...
Hi Gals & Guys, the person I have as lawyer has not passed the Bar in any province as yet, but does have a law degree, actually all we need at present.
I have Chartered Acountant set up.
I have a post office box.
In the proccess of setting up bank account, which will require at least two signatures to issue any cheques or money draws. The company has to be registered before the account can be opened.
Word processing can be done as required.
Kyle is looking into setting up a Web Page thru CAaviation with an intro page, application page and members only page.
1. I need some indication of what we actually need on the application form for Kyle, this can be filled in on site.
2. The name that will be registerd for now is "HELICOPTER ENGINEERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION, CANADA", this can always be changed at a later date.
For the information of both Engineers and Pilots, it was done alphabetically to eliminate any controversy.
3. I am in the process of writing bylaws and would like some input, so get with it, please.
I will be gone tomorrow (Friday) and won't be back until tuesday, so post any bright idea's on the site so it can be hashed out.
We will of course be advertising in Vertical and Helicopter Magazine (maybe) and the biggest is word of mouth, faxes of course and e-mail.
My idea for carrying out business would be done mostly by fax and e-mail.
Initially we need about 500 hundred members to get this show on the road and viable. The average association membership cost is any thing from 200$ to over a !000$.
I have set our membership fee at $200.00.
I have also made application to the feds for a grant to get this thing started, but as usual am getting the run around. If we were union we could get a grant from HRDC under the Labour-Management Partnerships Program, Sectorial Partnership Initaitives.
This is a copy of the e-mail I received from HRDC
To:
Mr Donald J McDougall
1044 County Road 44
Oxford Station, Ont
K0G 1T0
Dear Mr McDougall
Your eamil request for funding from the Labour Management Partnership Program (LMPP) in order to assist in the formation of the " Heliocopter Engineers & Pilots Association Canada" has been fowarded to me for reply.
I regret to inform you that the LMPP does not provide funding for such initiatives. The Labour-Management Partnerships Program (LMPP) is a contribution program administered by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service that is designed to encourage effective labour-management relations in the workplace or at the sectoral level by providing funding assistance that supports efforts by unions and employers to jointly explore new ways of working, and of working together. As your request deals with seeking financial assistance to form a new employees' association, it does meet the guidelines set down for the LMPP
I wish you success in your endeavour.
Mark Inman
Project Officer
LMPP
FMCS
HRDC - Labour Operations
Ottawa, Ont
K1A 0J2
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 819-953-0048
I would appreciate you taking this letter and sending it to your local MP and call this person, (Inman) and harass him.
In the meantime I have other iron's in the fire.
Cheers, Don
PS. I don't expect to have this going before the new year.
Another thought and don't forget we are going to work with HAC and TC to improve are lot, nothing else.