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By Josh Hall
opened hillman air in 1976

Red Deer aviation pioneer Gary Hillman honoured by peers

May 12, 2026 | 1:18 PM

A stalwart of the Red Deer Regional Airport scene was awarded a prestigious prize this month by The Alberta Aviation, Aerospace & Defence Council.

Gary Hillman received the Jack & Molly Memorial Award at this year’s Alberta Aviation, Aerospace & Defence Summit, recognizing his extraordinary lifetime contributions to civil aviation in Alberta and his enduring impact as a mentor, educator, entrepreneur, and advocate for aviation heritage.

Hillman founded Hillman Air Ltd. at the airport in 1976, and that was 10 years after his first flying lesson.

“A champion community builder, Gary played a key role in the growth of aviation in central Alberta through his involvement with the Red Deer Flying Club, the Central Alberta Gliding Club, and the Red Deer International Airshow, where he volunteered for 15 years managing field services for performers,” Red Deer Regional Airport officials say in a release.

“His passion for education has become one of the defining features of his legacy. Gary served as a contract instructor in SAIT’s Aircraft Technician program and has spent more than 25 years teaching specialized aircraft fabric covering techniques across Canada, the United States, Alaska, and South Africa. He continues to host training workshops and aviation tours for students and aspiring aviators at Hillman Air in Red Deer.”

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Hillman has also given considerable time to his role as co-founder of the Harvard Historical Aviation Society.

by Josh Hall

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