HAC would like to announce that effective November 30 2021, HAC’s President & CEO, Fred Jones, will be leaving the employ of the association. Fred will be leaving the association to start a part-time consulting practice, and return to the part-time practice of aviation law as part of his phased transition to retirement. His departure in November will mark 13 years of leadership in his role as President & CEO with HAC. Following-on his departure, Fred will be consulting back to HAC on a part-time basis to ease the transition to his successor and to carry out project work identified by HAC’s Board of Directors. Fred’s unique background with two previous Associations; as a former Transport Canada Inspector; a former TSB Accident Investigator & Safety Analyst; a lawyer; and an ATPL-H and ATPL-A pilot – made him uniquely qualitied for the role.

On behalf of the HAC Board, I would like to acknowledge a few of his significant contributions to the industry and the association over the years. Fred helped lead the development of HAC’s Industry Best Practices by HAC’s Committees, and developed our HAC Codes of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policies – for Operators, Associates and Board members; he managed the development of HAC’s Template Policy & Procedures Manual and the Template Employment Agreements[1] and Template Training Agreement[2]; managed the release of the paper The Federal Aeronautics Power in Canada[3]; helped grow the HAC convention to over 800 delegates at its peak, doubled the trade show size and helped orchestrate the static display of aircraft in Vancouver; he helped lead the board through HAC’s purchase of the HAC office-condo; and led HAC in its campaign to influence the development of the New Fatigue Management Regulations – a campaign that is not over, and that he will continue to be involved in his new consulting capacity.

Most recently, Fred’s extraordinary efforts to help ease burden on the industry and the association as we transition through the pandemic have been the acid test of his integrity and dedication to HAC and the Canadian helicopter community. HAC’s board would like to thank him for his significant contributions and on the strong working relationship he has cultivated with HAC’s Board, Members and Associates.