Parks Canada has now implemented procedures for aircraft access to Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve.  An aircraft access permit is required for all take-offs and landing within the reserve.  The permit is available at no cost and can be valid from April 1 through March 31.  The Aircraft Access Permit Application is available on the Parks Canada website.  Review of applications is expected to take 3 to 5 business days.  In addition to holding an aircraft access permit, anyone visiting the reserve must register with Parks Canada prior to entry.

Activities within Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve are subject to various rules and regulations managed by Parks Canada.  Fishing requires a Parks Canada fishing permit; although the same catch limits apply, a Northwest Territories fishing licence is not valid within the reserve.  Berry picking for personal use and gathering firewood for campfires and shelter are allowed.  Firearms may be carried for defence against wildlife only.  Subject to certain exceptions, hunting is prohibited. 

For more information, refer to the information sheet entitled "Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve Information for floatplane owners and pilots" as provided by Parks Canada to NWTFA on July 2, 2020 or refer to the Parks Canada website.   

Congratulations to Carol Van Tighem as the winner of the 2019 Chili Cook-Off!  In a break with tradition, and thanks in part to a limited number of chili entries, Carol emerged triumphant with her pecan-mandarin-spinach salad.

NWTFA members spent a sunny day at Fishing Lake on July 22, 2019 for our fly-out picnic and work party.  Members cleaned up a considerable amount of garbage littering the beach and shack areas and removed it from the site in their floatplanes.  Junk included beer cans, bits of food wrapping, a broken toilet seat, shredded tarps, and beat up metal pipe.  Many hands made for quick work and the site is now safer and tidier for all to enjoy.  Thanks to those members who participated!  We plan to choose another site for similar improvement next summer.

​Fishing Lake is a popular fishing and camping destination for many NWTFA/COPA 108 members and is frequently visited by Yellowknife residents and tourists wishing to enjoy the pristine wilderness of the Northwest Territories. Unfortunately, a significant amount of junk and debris has accumulated on the northern beach over recent years.

NWTFA/COPA 108 is planning a fly-out to Fishing Lake on July 20, 2019 for the purpose of a general site clean-up.  We'll combine it with a cookout and some relaxation.  Plan to attend and lend a helping hand.  Please RSVP by clicking here so that we can assess food requirements.

Lakes in the Yellowknife area offer many commercial and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors during open-water months.  Water areas are shared by users of floatplanes, sailboats, power boats, personal watercraft, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and more.

All users have a shared responsibility for the safety of themselves and others. Exercise caution and situational awareness to avoid and manage potential conflict with other users.  For more information on water activities in areas where floatplanes operate, and the capabilities and limitations inherent in the various uses, please refer to our Yellowknife Summer Multi-Use brochure.

COPA National has implemented a policy requiring all volunteer pilots participating in COPA for Kids events to undergo a Vulnerable Sector Check ("VSC").   Processing time for a VSC averages 3 weeks so it is important to apply well in advance of any COPA for Kids event.  COPA National requires that a VSC be renewed every 3 years but will accept a VSC completed for another organization within the previous 3 years.

In the Northwest Territories, application for a VSC must be made at the local RCMP detachment.  The pilot must attend in person and present an explanatory letter from COPA National, photo identification and proof of residency.  There is no fee and fingerprinting is not usually required.  Once obtained, the pilot must submit the VSC directly to COPA National by fax to 613-236-8646 or by email to copa@copanational.org.  NWTFA encourages any pilot intending to participate in our COPS for Kids event to apply for a VSC as soon as possible.

Congratulations to Kevin Brezinski as the winner of the 2018 Chili Cook-Off.  Kevin is a repeat winner with his special recipe of mushroom-free chili made with maple baked beans.

In an effort to assist general aviation pilots interested in visiting Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories, we have recently added a new section to our website entitled "Enroute to Yellowknife".  This section provides profiles of various stopovers enroute to Yellowknife from southern Canada.  Each profile consists of a dedicated web page providing aerodrome data, coordinates, site description, anecdotal information and photographs of the enroute stopover.  Each profile also includes a pdf download providing all information in a convenient printable format.  This section is a work in progress and submissions from NWTFA members and other pilots are welcome.