Ryan Abel has lived in Fort McMurray since 2013 and works for a small community situated in the heart of the Athabasca Oil Sands. Ryan holds a B.Sc. (Chemistry & Biochemistry) and B.Ed., and soloed when he was 14 years old.
Originally learning to fly in Courtenay, BC, Ryan now holds a Commercial Pilot’s License, completed an aerobatics course with the Canadian Flight Centre, trained with Patty Wagstaff, and is now working on his Flight Instructor Rating at McMurray Aviation.

Living in Northeastern Alberta, Ryan has a first-hand understanding of how essential aviation is to the region, especially for those that need to access healthcare services in the Edmonton area, so Ryan joined Angel Flight Alberta in 2019 as a volunteer pilot and is working hard to help establish an angel flight option for communities in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB).
Ryan loves all things aviation and if you can’t get a hold of him, there is a good chance he is out taking someone flying for the first time in his Piper Super Cub. Stay tuned for future details on what Ryan is working on to help ensure the residents of the RMWB have a sustainable angel flight option!