Air Bridge 2026
Emergency Response Exercise
October 18, 2026 | Stratford, ON (CYSA)
09:00 – 15:00 ET
Volunteers at Air Bridge 2025
A simulation proving the role of General Aviation in crisis response.
On October 18, volunteer pilots and emergency partners will join forces for Air Bridge 2026 — Our second annual 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.
Take Part in the Simulation or Simply Attend
Anyone interested in learning how general aviation (GA) can support crisis response is welcome. We especially encourage pilots to bring their skills and aircraft to participate in this unique fly-in simulation of GA’s role in emergency response.
Join VEAC and indicate your interest in participating. Membership is not required to attend. Just fly in!
When: October 18, 2026 weather permitting (all day). Arrivals from 09:00 to 10:30. Opening remarks at 11:00.
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, CYQG, CYSH)
Be Part of a GA Emergency Response Live Simulation
VEAC is hosting Air Bridge 2026, a one-day hybrid exercise where your flying skills will make a real difference. This multi-agency event will discuss a disaster scenario, deploying GA pilots to deliver supplies, transport responders, and connect communities, just as they would during an actual emergency.
What's happening
Response flights with VEAC Volunteer Pilots supporting emergency management partners utilizing CYSA as a hub airport
Testing the Ontario GA Emergency Response Plan
Simulated ground and flight operations based on an emergency scenarios
What you'll do
Become a VEAC pilot, and you will:
Join the roster of Public Benefit Pilots ready to respond when needed
Collaborate with emergency management partners in a unique emergency response simulation
Train alongside other pilots and first responders
Receive and respond to emergency alerts through the VEAC alert system
Fly meaningful flights delivering supplies and transporting responders when needed
Coordinate with specialized teams (K-9, medical, drone, NGO partners)
Help validate Ontario's GA Emergency Response Plan
Emergency Partners for Air Bridge 2026
OSARVA K-9
Queen’s University Wilderness Medical teams
York University CIFAL | UNITAR
GlobalMedic
Salvation Army Disaster Services
Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC)
Huron & Area Search and Rescue
…and other municipal airport service support
Event Schedule
Date: Sunday, October 18th, 2026
Time: 0900 – 1500 EST
Location: Stratford Municipal Airport (CYSA)
09:00 – 10:30 - Arrival, Marshalling, Registration
10:30 – 10:45 - Welcome & Opening Remarks
10:45 – 11:15 - Exercise Operational Briefing
11:15 – 11:40 - Pilot Mental Health Discussion
11:40 – 12:05 - OSARVA Demonstration
12:05 – 12:25 - VEAC Partner Dashboard & Web Portal Demonstration
12:25 – 12:45 - GlobalMedic Presentation
12:45 – 13:15 - Canadian Blood Services
13:15 – 13:30 - York University Drone Drop Demonstration
13:30 – 13:55 - Queen’s University Wilderness Medical Teams
13:55 – 14:05 - Salvation Army Presentation
14:05 – 14:15 - Radio Amateurs Canada Presentation
14:15 – 14:30 - Operational Exercise Briefing
14:30 – 15:00 - Participant Event Debrief
15:00 > Departures
Pilot Information
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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
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.
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
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Pilots must be prepared to use WhatsApp
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 0900-1030 Oct 18)
If arriving CYSA you will be provided with a VEAC Flight Safety Vest which should be worn for the exercise
If You Fly It, We Can Use It.
Your aircraft—whether it's a fixed-wing, rotary wing, amphibious or land based. A single piston, multi engine or turbo prop — each is a unique and valuable asset during a crisis. Most important is we need skilled and dedicated pilots like you.
Partners
Exercise Players
OSARVA K-9 teams • Queen’s University Wilderness Medical teams • Canadian Blood Services • Global Medics • Salvation Army Disaster Services • Canadian Disaster Response Organization (CDRO) • Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) • Stratford SAR • and other municipal airport service support
Resources
Exercise Plan for Air Bridge 2026
This Exercise Plan (EXPLAN) document is intended to provide exercise participants with the information required to participate effectively in Exercise Air Bridge 2026 on October 18, 2026.
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.
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.