FEATURE STORIES

November 10^th 2011

International Winter Operations 2011: Another Success

Some 250 delegates from 18 countries around the world attended the second International Winter Operations Conference in Montreal on October 5th and 6th, 2011.

The conference was sponsored by the Air Canada Pilots Association, in its role as a strong advocate for continuous improvement in aviation safety, both in Canada and internationally. ACPA’s Flight Safety Division acts as the catalyst for organizing the “Winterops” conference.

The primary goal of the conference is to share with the global aviation community the expertise in operating safely in winter conditions that lies within Canada’s aviation sector. Under the theme “Safety is No Secret”, experts in the many facets of safe winter operations are able to share the lessons they have learned from experience. At Winterops 2011, aircraft and power plant manufacturers, pilots, air traffic controllers, de-icing service providers, safety investigators and other stakeholders all shared their latest technology, lessons learned in the field and best practices in the industry.

Through the conference, they were able to share that knowledge with delegates from countries around the world which may experience only on rare occasions a major snow or icing event. Those delegates returned home to share that experience with their colleagues and coworkers, thus promoting safer winter operations on a global scale.

The conference also provided attendees with the unique opportunity to forge new relationships with the expert presenters, industry exhibitors and vendors, as well as other conference delegates.

At most thriving conferences, the organizing committee usually provides a gift to each speaker. I am extremely proud to report that we elected to forego the individual gifts; instead ACPA made a financial donation to the Urgent Needs Fund of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation on the recommendation of Montreal LEC Chair Captain Dan Comeau. This contribution was appreciated by all.  

The 2011 International Winter Operations Conference was an overwhelming success due to unbelievable dedication to the project by your Flight Safety Division Team and ACPA office staff in Montreal and Toronto.

Thanks to our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees for making the second International Winter Operations Conference an overwhelming success.

ACPA’s Flight Safety Division is already looking forward to our next conference in 2013.

Captain Barry F. Wiszniowski
Chairman, Flight Safety Division
Air Canada Pilots Association