It is with a heavy heart to let you know that a very dear personal and trusted friend of the BCFA, Fred Glasbergen has passed suddenly due to a fluke accident. Fred was a long time devoted past director and member who donated many hours into the association as financial, promotional and activity director.
His wife, best friend and soul mate Beverly Lawrence,  has asked people to donate to the BCFA scholarship monetary award “In Memory” of Fred in lieu of flowers etc. Fred was a big supporter of the BCFA Scholarship awards.

Details to follow on how to make a donation in Fred's memory

There will be a zoom meeting service for Fred on Monday March 8, 2021 at 10:30 AM Vancouver. Please email info@BCFloatplaneAssociation.com to request the zoom meeting link.

Deadline for getting in your BC Parks pre-approval request is the end of April, don't delay, do it now!

We have also received a list of potential floatplane projects that BC Parks would appreciate assistance with. Many of the projects are simple requests for photos for use on their web site or observations during fly-over of animals, tracks, boats, ATVs, or other signs of activity or condition. The list of projects and contact person can be downloaded here.

BCFA Members,

Considering the current COVID-19 situation, the BCFA Board of Directors will modify the 2020 AGM. 

On Saturday, July 11, 2020, all BCFA members are invited to meet at noon at the Kamloops Flying Club. There, we will meet informally until 3pm, when we will hold a 1-hour AGM business meeting.

The AGM meeting agenda will include only essential topics including a financial report, membership report, the need to fill open board vacancies and a scholarship discussion. Other topics will be address on an as-needed basis.  We will make this 3 - 4 pm meeting available online. Details of the online meeting will be forthcoming. 

On Saturday evening, we will organize some type of meal together, whatever seems appropriate at the time.

We feel this plan balances the uncertainties of planning an event, the need to comply with social distancing best practices and our desire to continue to function as an association.  We invite you to join some of us in person in Kamloops, but understand and fully support your freedom to choose what is best for your situation.

In addition to our Saturday activities, we plan to conduct an informal fly out on Sunday, July 12th to a destination near Kamloops.

In conclusion, please join us on Saturday, July  11th, 3-4 pm for our 2020 AGM meeting either in person or online.

Regards, the BCFA Board of Directors

It is with heavy hearts to hear the passing of Mary Kirner from Nimpo Lake, BC (prior owner of the Nimpo Lake Resort).  Nimpo Lake is the original "Home of the BC Floatplane Association (BCFA)". Take note: for the last ten years or so the annual BCFA general meeting-gathering has circulated around the province of BC, though Nimpo Lake will always be the home of the BCFA since 1997. The BCFA Annual General Meetings,  fly-In events, silent auction, live music, and inspiring guest speakers were once held at the Brandt's Hanger - North shore of Nimpo Lake.  Mary, with a small group of hard-working local women, volunteered and led the making of the weekend home-cooked meals for all the members in attendance and would also assist others in organizing and accommodating the annual events.  There were times the hanger was filled with 100 members and at peak years fifty aircraft would arrive from Western Canada and the U.S. This is just a miNUTE part of Mary Kirner,  RIP  Mary Kirner, you will not be forgotten too soon, you are part of the historical BC Float Plane Association and of its Home.

"Celebration of Life for Mary Kirner will be held at Terry Brandt's Hanger, Nimpo Lake, BC  July 2021. The exact  'day' TBA in 2021".

Photo: left: Mary Kirner,  right: Lois Bowman
credit: 2006,  Lise St. Gelais James

July 10-12. Northwood Lodge @ Timothy Lake. www.northwoodlodge.com

Make reservations early. Lots of parking for float planes on sandy beach area; will have 100LL fuel available. Shuttles available from 108 Mile (CZML) for wheel planes. 

For reservations (cabins, camping, RV hookups), call Northwood Lodge  (250) 396-7311.

Open to all. Main events on July 11. More details will follow.

It's time to submit your requests for pre-approval for access to restricted lakes in BC Parks. Deadline for submission is April 30.  Use the form on the Parks Request page to submit your requests.

Pre-approvals are received back from BC Parks in the late May/early June time. Once received, they will be emailed out to the requesting members. 

And if you haven't completed your Parks Visit Report for 2019 yet, please do it now! It's part of our obligation for the privilege of receiving access to these beautiful lakes.

The BC Floatplane Association (BCFA) recognizes the need to continue our freedom to fly floats in BC and so the BCFA is proud to be able to offer a $2500 scholarship towards a seaplane rating each year.

The applicant must be a BC resident currently holding a valid Canadian Private Pilot License or higher with a minimum of 150 hrs total time. The winner of the BCFA scholarship must successfully complete the seaplane training in BC and their License endorsed within twelve (12) months of the time the scholarship was awarded. Funds will be paid directly to the flight school of choice. The recipient will be chosen on a basis of merit, career or float flying aspirations and dedication, as well as contributions to their community. One of the two recommendation letters must be from a pilot you have flown with. The BCFA Scholarship Guidelines references the additional requirements to be met.

BCFA Scholarship Guidelines 2020.docx

BCFA Scholarship Application 2020.docx

With the approaching end of the flying season, it's time to submit your report for lakes visited under the BCFA BC Parks pre-authorization partnership agreement.

We have a convenient online form to submit your report -- BCFA members can fill out the form on the BCParks:Parks Report page here

It should only take about a minute or two to complete your report, which is due by December 31. It is important that BCFA members participate in this process if we are to maintain our constructive relationship with BC Parks, and to preserve the access rights we have worked so hard for.

The YKA Airport has issued an operations notice regarding use of the floatplane dock and ramp area during the BCFA AGM July 19-21 -- it's reserved for floatplane users only and closed to the public during the AGM, and 24 hour security will be on-site.

Operations Notice Floatplane Access Only July 19-21.pdf