Roy is the tall man with the big voice at air shows across Canada. His love of air shows and anything flying is obvious when he keys that microphone! He has worked in practically every aspect of aviation, from "flying 'em to paintin' em"!
Roy will share a few of his own personal and often humorous experiences and anecdotes with your crowd. Roy's easy going, informative patter complements any air show performance.
Roy's love of aviation started early. While still in elementary school Roy was an avid reader of aviation books and built countless model airplanes, some of which survive to this day. Roy made his first solo flight when he was just 16 and a year later he earned his private pilots licence. Soon after qualifying as a private pilot Roy received his floatplane endorsement and then moved on to aerobatic training in a classic AT-6 Harvard.
During his time in the aviation industry Roy has worked at a floatplane company in New Westminster, BC and as an aircraft painter for Conair Aviation at the Abbotsford Airport.
In 1987 Roy announced his first airshow in Merritt, BC and since then he has been at the microphone for air shows in Lethbridge, Terrace, Comox, Fort St. John, Peace River, Langley, Chilliwack, Boundary Bay, Ottawa, Ontario and Abbotsford (just to name a few!). Roy serves on the board of the North West Council of Air Shows and is a recipient of the NWCAS Showmanship award and the Eric Beard Spirit of Flight award. Roy is a member of the International Council of Air Shows.
Roy also serves his community of Mission, B.C. as a member of the Mission Amateur Radio Emergency Service Society a 24 year veteran of the RCMP Auxiliary and has recently retired as an active member of Mission Search and Rescue.
Ken Hildebrandt
Ken started his announcing career just four short years ago under the expert guidance of veteran airshow announcers, Roy Hafeli and Bob Singleton. Ken grew up around the Abbotsford International Airshow, and as a young boy, thrilled to the incredible displays flown by amazing pilots in their flying machines.
He thought those guys behind the microphones had a pretty cool job too and dreamed of one day being an announcer himself. A theatre producer, director and actor by profession, Ken is the Executive Artistic Director of Gallery 7 Theatre & Performing Arts Society located in Abbotsford, B.C.
Ken has announced at airshows throughout B.C. Alberta, and Washington State, including Abbotsford, Airdrie, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Lethbridge, Peace River, Pitt Meadows and Tacoma. He holds a private pilot’s license with a night endorsement, is a member of the Abbotsford Flying Club, International Council of Airshows (ICAS) and Northwest Council of Airshows (NWCAS) and resides in his hometown of Abbotsford, B.C.
Ken's love for airplanes & airshows, coupled with his experience as a private pilot, actor, director & producer, make him an ideal member of any airshow announcing team. Using the phrase "Entertain - Inform – Inspire” as his motto, Ken aims to put airshow fans right in to the cockpit with his knowledgeable and colourful commentary. Enjoy the show!
