Evolution

Alberta AAD traces its roots back to 1962, when it was founded as the Alberta Aviation Council with Fred Winters serving as the first General Manager. In its early years, Alberta AAD grew steadily, employing three full-time staff members and operating from an office in the General Aviation Centre at Edmonton City Centre Airport. Supported by regular grants from the Alberta government, Alberta AAD carried out its mandate to promote and develop aviation throughout the province.

Under Premier Klein’s government, all grants were cancelled, and the Alberta AAD was forced to rely entirely on the dedication of its volunteer board members to continue fulfilling its mission. Alberta AAD is incorporated as a non-profit association and has undergone several rebrandings over the decades — including a temporary renaming to Aviation Alberta before returning to the Alberta Aviation Council. In 2023, the name was updated to the Alberta Aviation & Aerospace Council to better represent the province’s growing aerospace sector.

In August 2025, the Alberta AAD took another significant step in its evolution by adopting its current trade name: the Alberta Aviation, Aerospace & Defence (Alberta AAD). This change reflects Alberta’s growing role in Canada’s defence sector, which is experiencing unprecedented growth fueled by major investments, innovation, and global collaboration. The inclusion of “Defence” in our name is both a recognition of the deep interconnection between aviation, aerospace, and defence, and a commitment to championing Alberta’s defence industry on the national and international stage. By aligning with national and NATO priorities, the Alberta AAD positions the province’s companies to compete for major defence programs, foster cross-sector collaboration, and deliver the advanced capabilities our allies need.

This milestone builds on the Alberta AAD’s strong track record, including the successful hosting of the inaugural 2024 Defence & Aerospace Summit and the upcoming 2025 edition, which bring together leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from across the sector.

Today, the Alberta AAD membership includes a diverse mix of municipal airports, municipalities, pilot training facilities, post-secondary institutions, farmers, pilots, and aerospace businesses, all united in advancing Alberta’s leadership in aviation, aerospace, and defence.

The Board

A working Board of Directors manages the organization. Currently, there are no Executive Director or staff, however the Alberta AAD does compensate a company to maintain the accounting records and memberships. We have a small office located at the International Airport courtesy of Executive Flight Centre Aviation.

Non-Profit

The Board has four executive members: Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. The executive normally meets once a month. Within the Board structure, there are numerous portfolios and responsibilities assigned to Directors who report back to the Alberta AAD on any items relating to that category. As for meetings, there are at least three Board of Director meetings a year not including the AGM. Our bylaws indicate we can have up to 15 Directors and every Director must have membership status with the Alberta AAD. The term is two years.

Revenue

As a registered non-profit organization, we are registered with the Alberta Societies Registry. The Alberta AAD has a license to initiate fundraising activities through the AGLC. Alberta AAD is slotted for casinos approximately every 14 months. The Alberta AAD is also a registered charity with the CRA and can accept donations. Our income is primarily generated from a few sources: memberships, casinos, and donations. The general membership revenue is directed towards operational expenses, while the casino funds are directed to specific projects, including the Facility Map. This map identifies all the airstrips and navigational information within the Province of Alberta. We also utilize our casino funds to support youth in aviation, primarily the air cadets. Funds are also set aside for scholarships and training at post-secondary institutions.