Air Operators Committee

TERMS OF REFERENCE

INTRODUCTION

The British Columbia Aviation Council (BCAC), founded in 1938, has a long and successful history as an advocate and common voice for the Province’s aviation industry. Throughout the years, it had been instrumental in supporting the region’s airports, championing air operator issues and providing a strong and unified voice on political and regulatory matters related to aviation.

The Council’s role today is best summed up in its Vision and Mission Statements.  These are, respectively:

“An aviation and aerospace industry that is visible, connected and thriving.”

and

“To promote, stimulate and encourage the sustainable development, growth and advancement of aviation and aerospace in British Columbia.”

Organizationally, a Board of Directors provides overall governance and support to Council and committee activities. To achieve its mission, the Council has formed several standing committees aligned with the various components of industry. The Air Operators Committee is one of these and it works diligently to champion the issues of the day for this segment.

MANDATE

The mandate of the Committee is to support and champion current and emerging Air Operator and Flying Training Unit (FTU) issues to successful resolution and thereby contributing to the industry’s prosperity.

SCOPE

The activities of the Committee are to focus on regional issues related to the “business” side of aviation. Hence, the issue and its resolution are largely regionally based.

The Committee will also liaise with the coalition of provincial and national associations and support its activities when they are relevant to the BC operators.

METHODOLOGY

Issues may come to the attention of the Committee from many sources. The Committee as a whole will determine which of the submissions it may wish to pursue. To assist the Committee, issues must meet the criteria laid out in these Terms of Reference.

When issues are accepted, one or more Committee Members (generally Subject Matter Experts) will be assigned as the lead to manage the issue.

BCAC air operator and FTU members are to be consulted during the issues resolution process.

The Lead Member(s) will keep the Committee informed as to the progress of the issues under management.

Progress and resolution are to be reported in the Committee’s Minutes of Meetings.

The Committee Chair is responsible for keeping the Board informed of its activities.

CRITERIA FOR ISSUES SELECTION

1.  Issues are to be regional in nature. That is to say, they are unique to the Region and their resolution likely lies within the Province.

2.  Issues and resolutions should link to the “business” side of the industry and successful resolution will contribute to growth and prosperity.

3.  Issues should be applicable to all operators or FTUs or a segment of operators or FTUs as opposed to one operator or FTU.

4.  Resolutions should have a high probability of success.

For issues that are national in scope, resolution likely falls outside of the Province.  These, therefore, shall be forwarded to the appropriate national association (coalition of national and regional associations) for its consideration.

SAFETY RELATED ISSUES

Safety related issues are beyond the scope of this Committee.  However, there are exceptions. For example, safety issues that are clearly localized and outside national safety regulations (ie: a new and unmarked power line), may be undertaken by the Committee.

INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

The Committee may have need to interact with the Provincial Government and in some cases with federal governmental agencies. When this arises, the Committee shall agree and assign the appropriate member to undertake this activity.

CONSULTATION

From time to time, the Council is invited to comment on national issues, various papers or national regulatory changes or issues. Commenting on such things can be redundant for the air operator or FTU since many belong to national associations and their input is solicited through these representatives. Therefore, such invitations will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Occasionally, media outlets invite the Council to comment on aviation matters. When requested by the Board, the Air Operator Committee may provide assistance in the preparation of media lines and/or provide a subject matter expert for media interviews.  The Committee, in turn, will assign a Subject Matter Expert for these activities.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND COMMUNICATIONS

The Committee shall meet from time to time via teleconferencing and by email dialogue. One physical meeting will be held in conjunction with the Council’s Annual General Meeting.

MINUTES

It is the Chair’s responsibility to publish Minutes of Meetings and their safe keeping.

MEMBERS

The optimum number of members is six and should generally represent the various segments of air operators and FTUs.

Volunteer Advisors are a source of information and advice to Committee members.

ADVISORS

Eric Scott

Peter Barrett

Doug McCrae

Quinten Smith