Sealand Flight Named COPA Flight School of the Year 2025 as Canada Certifies Its First Electric Aircraft

(Campbell River, BC — November 17, 2025) Sealand Flight is honoured to be awarded Flight School of the Year for 2025 by the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA). This award recognizes Sealand for excellence in flight training, student experience, and leadership in advancing general aviation across Canada.

COPA’s Western Vice-Chair and BC/Yukon Regional Director, Sigmund Bering Sort, presented the award to the Sealand team in Campbell River. This recognition reflects years of focused effort, innovation, and dedication.

Founded in 2014 with a single aircraft and one instructor, Sealand Flight has grown into a multi-base operation serving the Vancouver Island area from Campbell River, Courtenay, Powell River, Qualicum Beach, and Nanaimo. The school provides training from first flights through to commercial licences, instructor ratings, and other advanced courses – including electric aircraft training.

This year’s award also coincides with a historic Canadian aviation milestone: Transport Canada has officially Type Certified the Pipistrel Velis Electro — the fully electric airplane that Sealand Flight has been operating for the past 18 months. Since June 14th, 2024, Sealand Flight has been the first Canadian flight school to be offering introductory flight training on an electric airplane. Now, with the Canadian Type Certificate in place, electric flight training is open to all Canadian schools.

“This award reflects the work of our founders, instructors, students, and partners who have pushed forward on electric training, safety, and professional pilot development,” said Mike Andrews, Spokesperson for Sealand Flight. “With the Velis Electro now fully certified in Canada, we’re entering a new phase — expanding our electric training, strengthening our professional pilot pathway, and supporting the national transition to low-emission aviation.”

Sealand Flight is now preparing to expand electric training across Vancouver Island and beyond — including additional charging infrastructure, curriculum development, and continued collaboration with industry partners to advance Canada’s transition to low-emission aviation. Our mission remains unchanged: to train capable, confident pilots and contribute to a stronger, more sustainable future for Canadian aviation.

For more information, please visit Sealand Flight’s website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.