Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association
Encyclopedia
Aircraft type club
Aircraft type clubs are organizations that provide information and support to a single aircraft type or a group of aircraft types from the same manufacturer or family of aircraft....
for owners and pilots of certified aircraft manufactured by Cirrus Design
Cirrus Design
The Cirrus Aircraft Corporation is an aircraft manufacturer that was founded in 1984 by Alan and Dale Klapmeier to produce the VK-30 kit aircraft....
.
In October 2008 the association had 2800 members worldwide.
The association is sometimes confused with the larger Canadian Owners and Pilots Association
Canadian Owners and Pilots Association
The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association is a federally registered not-for-profit association that provides information and advocacy services for Canadian pilots who fly for non-commercial purposes...
which has used the acronym "COPA" since 1952.
History
Cirrus SR20
The Cirrus Design SR20 is a piston engine composite monoplane that seats four. The SR20 is noted for being the first production general aviation aircraft equipped with a parachute designed to lower the aircraft safely to the ground after loss of control or structural failure.-Design and...
.
As more new Cirrus Design aircraft were sold and the SR22
Cirrus SR22
The Cirrus SR22 is a single-engine, four-seat, composite aircraft, built by Cirrus Aircraft starting in 2001. It is a more powerful version of the Cirrus SR20, with a larger wing, higher fuel capacity, and a 310 horsepower engine...
was introduced, a formal, membership-based organization was started. In 2001, COPA became a registered non-profit organization with its own website and magazine, Cirrus Pilot.
COPA was recognized in 2005 as "one of the most valuable safety and educational programs that owners of the Cirrus Design series of aircraft can engage in."
In 2006 members of COPA raised more than $105,000 in a single evening to benefit the Red Tail Project, giving the project a significant boost toward their goal of bringing the story of the famed Tuskegee Airmen
Tuskegee Airmen
The Tuskegee Airmen is the popular name of a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II. Formally, they were the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps....
to every classroom in America.
Safety Initiatives
In keeping with its motto of "Volatus et Salus" (Latin for "Flight and Safety") the association is has a program to promote safer flying. This is based on the Aviators Model Code of ConductAviators Model Code of Conduct
The Aviators Model Code of Conduct is a set of model recommended practices designed to improve general aviation safety and airmanship that was created by Michael S. Baum.-Overview:...
which serves as a set of recommended practices.
Cirrus Pilots Proficiency Program (CPPP)
The association states:As a result of this the association developed its type-specific pilot recurrent training program. The first course was in April, 2002; several sessions are offered each year at various locations around the USA.
Critical Decision Making (CDM)
Critical Decision Making seminars were introduced by COPA to improve pilot decision-making. Today, these seminars are offered through a partnership between COPA and Cirrus DesignCirrus Design
The Cirrus Aircraft Corporation is an aircraft manufacturer that was founded in 1984 by Alan and Dale Klapmeier to produce the VK-30 kit aircraft....
. In addition to general aviation safety, presentations focus on analysis of accident trends and on formal individualized safety routines.
COPA Forums
The COPA web site contains a number of message forums. Some of these are open only to members, while others are publicly accessible. The forums provide a venue to learn about Cirrus aircraft from a user perspective, seek advice, discuss flight safety, and just "hangar fly".Fly-in Activities
Association members frequently gather together in various spots around the country. Some activities are purely social, but almost all involve talking about flying safely. Several provide speakers and discussion groups.COPA Migrations
Each June or July, Cirrus owners are invited to "migrate" back to the Cirrus Design headquarters in Duluth, MinnesotaDuluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
, for a weekend of learning and socialization. Begun in 2003, these fly-in
Fly-in
A fly-in is a pre-arranged gathering of aircraft, pilots and passengers for recreational and social purposes.Fly-ins may be formally or informally organised, members of the public may or may not be invited, the gathering may be at an airport or in a farmer's field.Fly-ins can be aimed at specific...
s, dubbed M1, M2, and so on, have grown to attract hundreds of participants. Information sessions are presented by industry experts on topics such as best practices, human factors and aviation decision-making. COPA members provide briefings on noteworthy journeys and owner experiences, while Cirrus Design staff and OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a...
representatives provide briefings about products and industry trends. Migrations include a trade show.
Family-focused activities, such as the popular "Partner-in-Command" seminar for flying companions, provide a learning environment for non-pilot attendees.
COPA Migrations have also become noted for fund-raising, with the Tuskegee Airmen
Tuskegee Airmen
The Tuskegee Airmen is the popular name of a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II. Formally, they were the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps....
Red Tail Project, a major recent beneficiary.