Thank you!

Air Bridge 2025

Emergency Response Exercise

Thank you to everyone who joined the Exercise! Please take a moment to fill out the Participant Feedback Form below.

News & Updates

Participant Feedback Form

CYSA - Airport Weather

CYSA Pilot Arrival Notes & Info page:

  • Pilots should flight-plan so their arrival is between 8:45-10:30am (latest)

  • You may advise CYSA Unicom 122.8 (“inbound for the Air Bridge Exercise”)

  • A Safety Officer will be assigned and remain available airside

  • Marshallers will be in place to direct parking (follow their direction!)

  • Remember to always double check for any NOTAMs

  • There will be drone activity in the vicinity (11am -12:30pm) See map

  • 100LL available at the stationary pump (tow/fill whilst parked upon request)

  • Pilots will receive VEAC flight vests for visual wear upon sign-in

  • Departures unless pre-arranged will be after 2:30-3pm>

Operational Dashboard

Click image to open dashboard

General Overview & General Event Schedule

On September 27, VEAC pilots and emergency partners will join forces for Air Bridge 2025 — Ontario’s first GA Emergency Response Exercise. This is a multi-agency functional exercise that will deploy GA pilots and aircraft in simulations to deliver supplies, transport responders just as they would during an actual emergency.

When: September 27, 2025 weather permitting (all day)

Where: Main operating base CYSA (City of Stratford Airport) with simulated emergency response flights from other key municipal airports in Ontario (e.g. CYGK, CYTZ, CYXU, CNJ4, CYSH)

Event Schedule

    • CYSA Ground Prep (set-up to be done by 10:00 a.m.)

    • Flights departing from home bases

    • Pax/cargo pick-ups at numerous airports

    • OSARVA K9 Team flights (Smith Falls CYSA – CNJ4 Orillia)

    • Aircraft parked by 10:30 a.m.

    • Coffee, tea, muffins

    • City of Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma

    • Guest speakers (TBA)

    • GA airport/aircraft safety & cargo loading/unloading

    • York University Drone Team demo

    • Queens University Wilderness Medical Team demo

    • Salvation Army Disaster Services (chaplaincy, canteen with snacks/lunch)

    • Queens Wilderness Medicine Team – info/networking

    • York University Drone Team – demo

    • York University / Dr. Brown – emotional care & stress mitigation

    • RAC – mobile radio communications demo

    • CDRO – mobile EOC display

    • Global Medic – food lift & cargo demo

    • Canadian Wings of Rescue – display/info

    • Roundtable opportunity for EM partners (7 minutes max each)

    • Facilitated feedback of exercise play/event

  • -

Pilot Information

Pilots must be registered to participate

    • Safety is our top priority and each PIC must ensure they are flying within their personal limitations and all regulatory parameters at all times. Although this is a simulation of an emergency deployment, it will be a ‘no -surprises’ event for pilots

    • An Aircraft Safety Officer and Marshallers will be in place at CYSA so please heed their direction at all times if arriving CYSA

    • Alliance North - VEAC is working with COPA National for Discovery Flight and event insurance, and will require your cooperation in verifying your credentials and aircraft airworthiness in advance, as well as awareness of our VEAC volunteer pilot policy.  Therefore, we will be sending you an important email asking you to confirm your registration as we finalize this detail. Please be watchful for this email 

    • There could be a licenced drone operating in the vicinity of CYSA during the exercise This will not take place until all registered incoming aircraft have arrived but please be diligent to CHECK NOTAMS regardless

    • If you are asked to carry passengers, note that all pax will have been pre-vetted and they will have a signed a pax liability waiver on file

    • Pilots must be prepared to use WhatsApp and receive email alerts that will commence on Wednesday Sept 24 2025 

    • You will be assigned a flight number and will work 1:1 with a transport coordinator to finalize your flight logistics  

    • In all cases a flight manifest with all actual weights for pax or cargo will be pre-screened and provided to you in advance 

    • Almost all flights are being planned to arrive CYSA (between 0930-10:30am Sept 27)

    • If arriving CYSA you will be provided with a VEAC Flight Safety Vest which should be worn for the exercise

  • Must Complete:

    • Complete the online Exercise Orientation (Parts 1 & 2)

    • Watch for your personal registration confirmation and attestation via email 

    • Check back here for any further updates or new information 

    • Ensure readiness of you and your aircraft for flying on Saturday Sept 27th

    Recommended:

    • Review the GA Emergency Response Plan document below

    • Enroll in the GA Emergency Response Certificate course

Partners

Presenting Partners

Exercise Players

OSARVA K-9 teams • Queen’s University Wilderness Medical teams • York University Drone Team • Global Medics • Salvation Army • Canadian Disaster Response Organization (CDRO) • Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) • and other municipal airport service support

Follow the Exercise

Follow us on Instagram and tag us as the exercise unfolds. Use the official hashtag #AirBridge2025

Alliance North on Instagram
We are partnering with D4H to share our story about organising an emergency exercise that demonstrates what flying for public benefit could entail for the parties involved. Join us this Thursday for an exciting event. Scan the QR code!
A thrilling experience for everyone involved. From learning about the things that could be done in an emergency, to practicing how to get things done. #airbridge #alliancenorth #VEAC
Exciting team photos from the Air Bridge event last weekend 🥳🛫
We had an amazing weekend and delighted to have kicked off the VEAC in a great way! Thank you to all our partners, volunteers and supporters who have made this experience was remarkable. ##airbridge #veac #stratford
Excited! Air Bridge VAEC exercise is today!
Counting down the hours now!! . . . . #alliancenorth #ontario #pilots #pilotsofinstagram #vaec #emergency #airbridge2025
We’re two days away from the 2025 Air Bridge by the VEAC & Alliance North. We’ve prepared very hard and we’re optimistic about the outcomes! #allianceflyingnorth #alliancenorth #vaec #airbridge2025 #airbridge
At Alliance North, we believe in the power of Public Benefit Flying pilots and aircraft coming together to serve communities when it matters most. This year, we’re preparing for Airbridge 2025 🚨—a full-scale emergency response exercise
Volunteer pilots across Ontario are preparing to support communities during emergencies. Join us this September for #Airbridge2025 as we demonstrate how aviation can be a lifeline in times of need. #AllianceNorth #VEAC #EmergencyResponse”
We are a Canadian initiative dedicated to Public Benefit Flying; connecting volunteer pilots with humanitarian missions. We believe in building on existing experience and knowledge, drive capacity for partners and communities through common Public Be

Resources

Exercise Plan for Air Bridge 2025

This Exercise Plan (EXPLAN) document is intended to provide exercise participants with the information required to participate effectively in Exercise Air Bridge 2025 on September 27, 2025.

Open Document

All Players Meeting – Full Pilot & Participant Briefing

Air Bridge 2025 Exercise Orientation - Part 1

GA Emergency Response Plan

This General Aviation Emergency Response Plan outlines how GA pilots, aircraft, and airports can be integrated into coordinated disaster response efforts to provide timely, flexible, and cost-effective support.

Open Document

Air Bridge 2025 Exercise Orientation - Part 2

The Volunteer Emergency Air Corps (VEAC) is a program of Alliance North – Public Benefit Flying Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to mobilizing general aviation for community good.