Any type of aircraft can participate in the Tour from hot air balloons to jets. Pilots and passengers (where aircraft have that ability) can participate at whatever level and whenever they wish between the end of January and the beginning of October, 2010. Participation involves seeing Manitoba from the air, visiting Manitoba's communities, and enjoying their events and attractions.
Participation requires registration, do that at the Register page. The registration package contains a Tour Passport, a Tour decal, a Tour name tag, information about places to visit in Manitoba, Tour Events to take in, attractions to visit, and information and special offers from sponsors. Registration packages are availablenow, participants can register any time. Early registration will help us in many ways so please don't delay!!!
The Tour Passport is used to document visits. A visit consists of a landing, a takeoff, and a flight. In most cases, there will be a flight to the site of the visit, a landing, then the visit, and a takoff when leaving. However, some aircraft, like a powered parachute, could be trailered in, in which case there would be a takeoff, a flight, then a landing with the visit before and/or after. Most visits will start at airports, but a field or a lake could also be used depending on the aircraft. As with all flights, the pilot is responsible for ensuring that the site of operation is legal and safe for the intended operation. Documentation of each visit in the Tour Passport consists of information about the flight, a digital photo with a date/time stamp showing the aircraft in a recognizable location at the site (a film camera is also fine), information about the events or attractions visited, and a photo of the event or attraction.
To complete the Tour:
1. A minimum of 14 visits must be documented in the Tour Passport, there is space for more, and
2. At least one visit must take place in each of Manitoba's 8 Tourism regions, and
3. Visit each of the 5 Manitoba COPA Flights - Russell, Shoal Lake, Morden, Winnipeg/Lyncrest, and Lac Du Bonnet, and
4. Return the completed Tour Passport before/at the Final Celebration.
Completion will be formally recognized and participants will then be eligilbe to receive prizes. Completion is optional, participation at whatever level suits participants is really what is being encouraged!
While the Tour starts in January, the formal 'Take Off' will take place at the official Manitoba Day Celebrations in Neepawa on May 12. There will be other Tour activities during the Celebrations from May 12 to 16, check the Events.
The Tour ends on the weekend of October 16 and 17 with the Final Celebration in Brandon. Anyone who completes the Tour and submits their Tour Passport will be eligible for prizes, some based on aspects of the Tour and others by random draws. The format of the Final Celebration will be announced at a later date.
