Their model was based on the US-based Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) which had been formed 13 years earlier in 1939.

After meeting with AOPA principals and receiving encouragement from them, COPA was set up with headquarters in Carson's garage.

Bogie became the association's first president and today there is an award in his name to both honour his legacy and to celebrate other outstanding pilots who advance, promote, and preserve the Canadian freedom to fly.

The academy will be an on-line teaching tool in English and French, to provide recreational pilots with safety and search and rescue training, with the aim of reducing both incidents and accidents.

[10] The website includes its COPA Resource Guides that provide information to members on buying an aircraft, creating your own aerodrome and dealing with government regulatory enforcement action.

The association is a member of each of the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council's (CARAC) nine technical committees.

These COPA Flights annually run many local aviation events, including many of Canada's summertime fly-ins.

[13] COPA holds an annual general meeting in June of each year and staff and board of directors attend regional events across the country.

The goal was met with COPA's members flying about 10% of the total Young Eagles flown in the world.