Jack Searson presented with Lloyd Richards Director’s Award of Merit
- Kate Smith
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Local pilot Jack Searson was presented with the Lloyd Richards Director’s Award of Merit at a recent COPA 45 meeting on April 9 at the Goderich Regional Airport.
Searson explained that he and his wife Ella were aware of the award but were surprised with all the gifts presented to him.
He received three framed pictures of his aircraft, as well as a framed poster from the Lancaster event in Goderich from last year.
Other gifts included a beautiful, framed poem, and a signed home-made quilt with pictures of his planes.
“All these gifts were a total surprise to my wife and I,” Searson explained.
“Being recognized and congratulated by my peers was something I never expected. I have done everything for aviation over the years because next to my family, it’s my passion, since my retirement.”
Canadian Owners and Pilots Association’s (COPA) Director’s Award of Merit provides regional recognition for the many efforts being made to advance, promote and preserve the Canadian Freedom to Fly.
Flying and building are two of Searson’s passions along with his COPA membership. Searson is a co-captain of COPA Flight 172 and a member of COPA Flight 45.
Over the years Searson has been an active member and advocate for general aviation in the region.
He is one of those members who quietly works in the background to attend to the tiniest of details to make an event successful.
Back in 2012, when it was announced that Hanover was hosting the COPA Convention, Searson oversaw recruiting and positioning of volunteers to ensure the event went smoothly.
Every organization needs a person like Searson, according to COPA 45’s Navigator Marilyn Bruinsma.
“With Jack helping at an event, you know it will run smoothly,” added Bruinsma.
When COPA 45 got a former weather station for their clubhouse, many renovations were necessary. After donations of a fridge, cupboards, tables, chairs and barbecues, Searson wanted to buy a stove to complete the kitchen.
Searson not only steps up to improve the chapters and their events, but he is also passionate about COPA for Kids program.
Searson flies students from Kincardine, Port Elgin and Hanover airports, and nothing pleases him more than to see the smiling faces of kids as they return to their parents with certificates in hand.
Searson has also continued to mentor young pilots, including his grandson Bradley, first in local Air Cadets, which later led to a military career.
As an example of the legacy to the mentorship from Searson, this winter his grandson flew to the reserves in northern Manitoba to assist with COVID vaccines and is now transporting medical labs to Alberta.
Searson is a detail driven person who plans each event diligently, working in the background to ensure each event will be a success.
Behind Searson is his very successful and supportive spouse Ella who supported him in his aviation journey.
It was Ella who saw a newspaper advertisement for ground school at Goderich’s Sky Harbour Airport and told him it was his chance to get involved in aviation.
Not to disappoint, Searson registered immediately and was accepted into the class, instructed by Bill Cruikshank.
Searson’s love for aviation began in the 1960s when after graduation, he answered the ad for an apprentice at Goderich’s Sky Harbour Air Services.
With room and board, wages would not allow any savings for a pilot’s license.
In 1967 Searson worked for a company installing telephone switching equipment in offices for the new dial phones.
Jobs in Manitoba and Quebec meant he flew Air Canada to these destinations.
Even after marriage in 1970, Searson kept that dream of a pilot’s license alive, while friends were offering him rides in their aircraft, keeping that bug ever present.
In October 1977 Searson finally began his flight training in Goderich and five months later did his first solo flight, which he will never forget.
His love for aviation extends beyond flying. In October 1978 Searson saw a 1941 Aeronica Chief for sale in Brantford and with no AME check, bought it.
It had no radio, no starter, and a 65hp Continental.
Searson flew it with homemade skis, but transport would not approve them, so he sold it to a Quebec pilot.
Following that, Searson purchased a C-140 with a starter and metal wings, heavier but better for outside storage.
After attending fly-ins at Orillia, Searson wanted to build his own plane, so he bought plans for a Christavia Mk 1. To pay for materials, he sold the C-140.
Searson completed the build in his garage, and on December 31, 1988, he took the plane to Peterborough Airport for final assembly, weight and balance, final inspection and transport papers.
With his family watching, Searson completed the flight test in May 1989, and it was the first time flying a stick.
After 792 hours airtime, Searson sold the C-GJLW and flew it to a grass strip near Komoka for the new owner, and at the time he said he would likely look for another plane to buy.
And, of course, he purchased another plane – a C-140 in late 2019.
He removed the damaged aluminum wings, acquired a set of used wing ribs, constructed new wings and covered them with fabric, reducing 50 pounds of weight.
COPA 172’s Captain Chris McCullough explains that Searson is a valued citizen whose expertise is sought for the Kincardine Airport.
“When plans for runway extensions were proposed, the municipality asked Jack to lead this group with a path forward,” said McCullough.
Co-Captain of COPA 45 Mike Beatty said that Searson is a great example of grass roots general aviation on a do-it yourself budget.
“Not many individuals are sufficiently self-motivated to accomplish a wing rebuild with fabric finish,” explained Beatty.
“Jack illustrates the camaraderie, which exists among general aviation pilots.”
COPA is a federally registered not-for-profit association that provides information and advocacy services for Canadian pilots who fly for non-commercial purposes.
COPA represents 11,000 members, which ranks the organization as the largest aviation association of its kind in Canada.
The association is made up of 200 COPA Flight chapters that organize events and meet regularly to preserve, promote and inspire general aviation.
COPA is the only association in Canada that advocates for general aviation and without COPA, there would be no voice representing personal aviation issues.
Members of both COPA Flight 45 and 172, believe Searson deserves to receive this award of merit for all his dedication to general aviation and local airports.