The Webster Memorial Trophy Competition

Congratulations to JAMES POUGET, 2010 winner of the Webster Memorial Trophy Competition. James represented Eastern Ontario this year and is training with Centennial College and flying out of Durham Flight Cerntre, Oshawa, Ont.

Congratulations to CAMERON MACLEAN, 2010 Webster runner-up who represented British Columbia and is flying out of Coastal Pacific.

The courtesy bestowed upon the finalists, judges and Webster guests by the staff of the Calgary Flying Club, staff of the Delta Bow Valley Hotel and the people of Calgary cannot be over-emphasized. Everyone had a wonderful time from arrival to departure. Unfortunately some of the flight tests were unable to proceed due to a pall of heavy smoke which drifted over the area from the BC forest fires later in the week. Regardless, every competitor had at least one flight test and the judges were able to equate them all to a common denominator, check and re-check their findings in various ways and determine a clear winner and runner-up.

A significant number of representatives from all parts of the Canadian aviation sector attended the Awards Banquet and presented prizes and awards to the finalists.

Webster Week is more than just a competition. It includes other events as well. This year the finalists enjoyed a BBQ put on by the Calagary Flying Club, B737NG simulator flying generously donated by Westjet and a cocktail reception sponsored by Hamilton Watches along with a great and spontaneous post-awards party in downtown Calgary.

Next year the 2011 Nationals take place at GRONDAIR located just south of Quebec City. If you are classified as an amateur pilot, compete. It is so worth it on so many levels!

Nine finalists from across the country will begin to arrive at the start of next week to compete in the national finals at the Calgary Flying Club located at the Springbank Airport. The flying club overlooks the beautiful Rocky Mountains off in the distance and their facilities are exceptional for the running of the competition. The finalists will enjoy a number of events in adddition to the actual competition.

On Wednesday evening Calgary Flying Club is putting on a large Alberta beef style BBQ for the finalists, judges and other guests. On Thursday evening all the finalists will be flying a B737NG simulator courtesy of Westjet and on Friday evening they will be honoured at a VIP reception sponsored by Hamilton Watches. The competition culminates with a prestigous Awards Banquet on Saturday evening attended by representatives from all the different sectors of Canadian aviation.

Congratulations to all the finalists and the best of good fortune to one and all.

Our National Finalists have been determined and announcements have been sent out to all of the competitors.  The finalists and their respective Flight Training Units are as follows:  

BC: Cameron MacLean - Coastal Pacific Aviation

Alb: Tim Joshi   - Calgary Flight Training Centre           

Sask: Danielle Furgason - Regina Flying Club

Man:  Cody Neill - Harv’s Air

N. Ont:  Claire Buxton - Sault College

W. Ont:  Michael Ciezadlo - Brampton Flight Centre

E. Ont:   James Pouget - Centennial College / Durham   F lt Centre 

Que: Fred Ralet  - Air Richelieu 

Atl: Jeff Smith - Moncton Flight College       

Early Bird Winners

HME-110 Headset donated by Sennheiser Canada: Christopher Leveck

Brightline Aviator’s Flight Bag donated by Aviation World: SARA BREAULT

Royal Canadian Mint 2009 100th Anniversary of Flight in Canada-Proof Set donated by WINGS Magazine:  MICHAEL DENTON

Royal Canadian Mint 100th Anniversary of Flight in Canada-Brilliant Uncirculated Dollar donated by WINGS Magazine: BREANNA BRYCE

A one year subscription donated by WINGS Magazine:  ADAM MC VICAR

Aviator Gloves donated by the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association:  JEAN-SIMON BEIQUE

Aviator Sunglasses donated by the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association: SHARISSA KOTKAS

One official dark blue Flight Jacket donated by SAAB Aircraft Leasing of Sterling, Virginia:  NATHAN YEOMANS

One ‘Flightline Training Services Maintenance Team (FTSMT)’ Dash 8 Melton & Leather Jacket, plus FTSMT Beechcraft Hat and a FTSMT Q400 T-shirt. All items are given as one prize:  KEVIN LANDRY

Webster Scholarship Winner

It was a close race between three FTUs for the Webster scholarship sponsored by Sennheiser.  One of the flight training units (FTU), Southern Skies (BC) had actually submitted 11 competitors months before the scholarship hade even been set up.  Brampton Flight Centre (West. Ont.) went all out at the end trying to to secure it, but fell short because some of the applicants didn’t get their flight tests in on time and were eliminated. Our 2010 Webster Scholarship winner therefore with 12 eligible competitors submitted is the Waterloo-Wellington Flight Centre (West. Ont.).  They are being notified along with a message to all the FTUs announcing the winner.  The formal presentation of the scholarship will be made at the ATAC Convention in Vancouver in November.  Congratulations to WWFC, it is well deserved.

On May 5th a formal announcement was made at the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) Symposium being held in Ottawa.  Sennheiser Canada has graciously established an annual grant of $3000 to sponsor a Webster Trophy Competition Scholarship which will be presented to the ATAC  member Flight Training Unit (FTU) that produces the greatest number of Webster competitors for that year.  The scholarship is to be used to assist in the flying/training of up to four of the Webster competitors from that FTU.  The choice of how it is applied is up to the school.   This scholarship could be shared between FTUs in the event of a tie. 

The announcement of the winning  FTU(s) will be made at the ATAC Convention held in November each year, this year in Vancouver, BC.

On behalf of the entire Webster Team we would like to sincerely thank Sennheiser Canada to its extended support of the Webster programme and would also like to congratulate the ATAC members who will be the future recipients of this generous gift.

Amazing Missing Webster Artifact Found

On April 21st an e-mail was received from the Administrative  Coordinator of the Faculty of Medicine, Mr. Dan Lafrenière at McGill University in Montreal.  According to the e-mail there had been litter accumulating outside the building which required removing and during the process Mr. Lafrenière discovered two objects, both of which were similar and had inscriptions inside.  He researched the internet and discovered that one of the objects was linked to the Webster Memorial Trophy Competition.

What Mr. Lafrenière found was a sterling silver cigarette case inscribed inside with a dedication to John C. Webster upon his departure to England to fly in the King’s Cup Race in 1931.  Specifically the inscription read:  Presented to John C. Webster by his friends of the Montreal Light Aeroplane Club on the occasion of his departure to represent Canada in the King’s Cup Race 1931.

Furthermore inside the case were a series of inscribed initials and upon review were those of Edward C. Cox, the very first Webster winner.

How long that case was lying out there is a complete mystery, however it is in the possession of Webster now and will be going to the Canada Aviation Museum.  The entire Webster Team wishes to thank Mr. Lafenière for his time and effort in researching the item and returning this priceless memento back to where it will be cherished.

Deadline For Applications In Final Month

June 1st is the deadline for all 2010 applications to be in for this year’s competition.  We are well ahead of the number entered last year at this time however it must be remembered that due to logistical reasons the deadline dates this year are one month earlier than previously.  If you are contemplating entering, do not delay much longer and remember that if you are planning to submit a Webster version of the required flight test report, it must be in no later than June 15th.

The Early Bird Draw came to a conclusion on May 1st.  The actual draw will not take place until the flight test reports are received from the eligible entrants.   That could be as late as June 15th however if all the reports are received earlier, the draw will be made at that time and all entrants notified of the results.

Major Announcement In Early May

Standby for some very exciting news.

Association Quebecoise du Transport Aerien (AQTA): It is with great pleasure that we welcome to the growing family of supporters, the AQTA which represents the interests of Quebec aviation companies and pilots.  AQTA is now publishing a new magazine titled AIR and a Webster article will be featured in the May issue.   We thank AQTA for its support and  efforts to promote the Webster programme in the Province of Quebec.  Many excellent finalists have come out of Quebec over the years.

Hamilton Watches: The Webster Team is totally delighted with the numerous companies and organizations joining the Webster family and we are now proud and honoured to announce that Hamilton Watches (Swatch Group Canada) has donated an X-Wind aviator’s watch valued at CA$1,800 to the 2010 Webster winner. Furthermore each of the remaining finalists will receive a Khaki Pilot aviator’s watch, each valued at CA$995. Prizes such as this that are given with such generosity by so many of our supporters indicates how involved they are in promoting this wonderful aviation programme. Our sincere thank you to Hamilton Watches for their committment to the 2010 Webster programme.

Aviation World, another major Webster supporter based in Toronto, Vancouver and Chicago are distributors of these excellent watches.

The Webster Team is extremely pleased to announce that another new Webster supporter has joined the programme and one that will give our nine 2010 finalists the lasting memory of a lifetime:

WestJet has graciously offered the use of a Boeing B737 NG full-motion/full-visual simulator for the use by our 2010 Webster finalists through an evening of familiarization flights during Webster Week in Calgary. Through this very generous offer by WestJet’s Flight Operations and the total acceptance by our sponsor Air Canada Flight Operations, this wonderful opportunity can take place. Co-operation such as this only shows that Webster belongs to the entire Canadian aviation community and is open to participation by all who wish to help it succeed.

A similar event took place in 2009 for our finalists courtesy of Air Canada Jazz and was one of the most memorable events of Webster Week. We expect that this year will be the same and thank WestJet profusely for its interest and wonderful contribution to this year’s programme.

Flightline Training Services (FTS) has donated a significant prize to our second annual Early Bird Draw. We thank FTS for their generous donation and welcome them to the steadily growing family of Webster supporters.

Nav Canada has recently donated a generous grant for the purposes of assisting in the continued and improved promotion of the competition. We wish to acknowledge this excellent support with sincere appreciation.

Plein Vol, a very familiar and well known magazine especially within the french aviation community has donated advertising space in a number of issues leading up to the competition. Thank you Plein Vol for assisting us in a much needed area of awareness.

J.Goss and Associates has come on board and offered us use of their services for the issuance of press releases when required. Access to this valuable service is definitely valued.

All of the corporate logos and associated links can be found along with those of all our other supporters in alphabetical order on the Supporter link in the column to the right. The Webster Team wishes to thank all of the companies and organizations who are involved with the programme for without them the competition would not be the wonderful event that it currently is

IMPORTANT NOTE: For information concerning changes to this year’s Regional Competition schedule and also the second annual Early Bird Draw and 2010 Competition Prizes, click onto the News Articles link in the column to the right.

For Information Concerning The 2010 Competition Please Click On “Major Changes To 2010 Competition Effective Immediately” In Recent News Articles Below.

The second annual Early Bird Draw is now taking place with a growing list of prizes exceeding those of 2009. The purpose of the draw is to encourage interested pilots in applying early in the programme as many often wait too long to get started and miss out at the end.

It is especially important this year to enter earlier as the deadlines or the applications and associated flight test reports have been moved to June 5th and June 15th respectively.

In order to dissuade people who have no intention of actually competing from entering just the draw, the draw does not take place until all elegible flight test reports have also been received which is likely close to the deadline date of June 15th.

The closing date for the Early Bird Draw is May 1, 2010.

The prizes donated at this time are as follows:

One HME-110 Headset valued at $400 donated by Sennheiser Canada

One Brightline Aviator’s Flight Bag valued at $169 donated by Aviation World

One Royal Canadian Mint 2009 100th Anniversary of Flight in Canada-Proof Set valued at $99.95 donated by WINGS Magazine

One Royal Canadian Mint 100th Anniversary of Flight in Canada-Brilliant Uncirculated Dollar valued at $39.95 donated by WINGS Magazine

A one year subscription donated by WINGS Magazine

A pair of Aviator’s Gloves valued at $100 donated by the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association

A pair of Aviator’s Sunglasses valued at $130 donated by the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association

One official dark blue Flight Jacket similar to the ones used in the flight testing of the SAAB 340 and SAAB 2000, donated by SAAB Aircraft Leasing of Sterling, Virginia

One ‘Flightline Training Services Maintenance Team (FTSMT)’ Dash 8 Melton & Leather Jacket, plus FTSMT Beechcraft Hat and a FTSMT Q400 T-shirt. All items are given as one prize.

2010 Webster Competiton Prizes: The growing list of prizes given to the winner, runner-up and finalists at the Awards Banquet scheduled for August 21st in calgary are as follows:

The winner is awarded:

 the beautiful John C. Webster bronze medallion, depicting the Webster Trophy;
 an Air Canada pass for two, valid anywhere within the Air Canada system;
 an X-Wind aviator’s watch donated by Hamilton Watches;
 a deluxe noise-canceling headset donated by Sennheiser;
 a framed print depicting John Webster’s aircraft painted by one of Canada’s foremost aviation artists, Robert Bradford;
 a professional development day with the Snowbirds;
 a cash award donated by the Air Canada Pilots Association; and
 a gift certificate donated by Aviation World, Toronto.

The runner-up is presented with

 their name on the Eunice Carter Memorial Trophy, given for excellence in overall piloting skills;
 a Khaki Pilot watch donated by Hamilton Watches;
 a Webster plaque denoting runner-up status;
 a framed print of John Webster’s aircraft (as described above);
 an anti-noise canceling headset donated by Sennheiser; and
 a professional Pilot Log-book donated by Aviation World, Toronto.

The remaining finalists are presented with

 a Khaki Pilot watch donated by Hamilton Watches; and
 Webster plaques denoting their status as finalists.

All finalists receive

 all flying costs covered for any required familiarization or check-out flight and the two National Finals flight tests courtesy of the Airline Pilot’s Association;
 a one year membership donated by the Canadian Owners & Pilots Association;
 a one year subscription donated by WINGS magazine;
 Webster Competition plaques denoting their finalist status; and
 personalized Snowbird lithographs signed by the entire current year’s team

For Information Concerning The 2010 Competition Please Click On “Major Changes To 2010 Competition Effective Immediately” In Recent News Articles Below.

On Saturday November 21st, Cory Raby, our Webster winner had the opportunity to fly out of Vintage Wings, Gatineau, Que in a Harvard Mk IV piloted by no other than Mike Potter himself. Cory had the opportunity to take control and fly the aircraft for a while including some basic aerobatic manoeuvres after having them demonstrated.

The Webster Trophy Competition Team would like to thank Michael Potter and Vintage Wings for its continued support of the programme and especially for thrilling this year’s Webster winner with an exciting trip into the aviation’s past. He was delighted as were we.