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  • The average wind speed at RDRAA is 15 km/h
  • The average temperature in January is   -13.4
  • The average temperature in July is +16.8
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The Beginning Minimize
The Red Deer Regional Airport was built during World War II to train Allied forces. The airport was a former Canadian Air Force pilot training base for NATO pilots until 1965.

The Military built the training airfield at this site because of the predominantly good flying weather and the un-congested airspace. Both factors are still valid today. The Red Deer area boasts good flying weather over 95% of the year.

The City of Red Deer took over operation of the airport in 1965 and the Province extended the main runway 16/34 to 5528 feet in 1980 bringing it up to "737" standards. The ownership of the airport was taken over on September 1st, 1999 by the Red Deer Regional Airport Authority which includes the City of Red Deer, Red Deer County and the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce as stakeholders.
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Important Dates in History Minimize
May 14, 1914
Discovery of the largest oil and gas field in the British Empire approximately 100 km from Red Deer.  
1939
In 1939, farmland was purchased and land cleared for the future Penhold base. In 1940, the base opened as a RCAF Manning Depot with one building while 5 hangars and 31 other buildings were being constructed well into 1941 including barracks, service buildings and administrative buildings. Six hard surfaced runways 900 to 1075 metres long made up the airfield. Two additional hangars were built for a total of seven.
  
July 19, 1960
A hailstorm bringing hail 3cm in diameter establishes the hail research program at RDRAA.  
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Beechcraft T-34 Minimize
Beechcraft T-34A Mentor


The only Beechcraft T-34A Mentors ever used by the RCAF, as trainers, flew at Penhold. July 1954-Feb.1955
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