Alberta has a long and rich aviation history, which began with the first flight of a powered Curtis "Pusher" aircraft in 1911.

The Edmonton City Center Airport was the first licensed "Air Harbor" in Canada. Many historic aviation events such, as the mercy flight from Edmonton with a supply of smallpox vaccine being delivered to Ft. Vermillion by well-known WWI ace and pioneer aviator "Wop May" took place in the early 20's, which garnered world attention.

During World War II Alberta was the center for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, which saw thousands of Commonwealth pilots receiving their wings at one of Alberta's several BCATP training depots. Edmonton was also a staging site for thousands of military aircraft being ferried to Russia to assist with the war effort.

Modern day aviation pioneers such as "Max Ward" started "Wardair" one of the most successful air charter companies in Canadian Aviation history. Pacific Western Airlines was another airline success story that began in Alberta by Don Watson.