The Red Man himself Captain Shannon G. Hankins has dedicated his life to the skies. For 32 of those years, he served as a pilot with American Airlines, holding roles as Flight Engineer, First Officer, and Captain. During his tenure, he mastered an impressive array of aircraft, including the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and MD80, Boeing 727, 737, 757, 767, 777, and the Airbus A319/320 series. Beyond line operations, Captain Hankins contributed as a Flight Test Engineer and Pilot at the American Airlines Maintenance and Engineering Center, where he combined technical expertise with hands-on experience to ensure the highest standards of safety and performance.

Before his commercial aviation career, Captain Hankins served his country in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard as a Pilot and Quality Assurance Maintenance Officer for the 137th Tactical Airlift Wing/185th Tactical Airlift Squadron. His service included combat flying assignments as well as peace-time humanitarian missions across the globe, showcasing his commitment to excellence and leadership under diverse and challenging conditions.

Captain Hankins is also an accomplished entrepreneur and business owner. He founded and operates Red Man Aviation LLC, a premier maintenance and repair facility that services everything from Light Sport to Turbine Aircraft. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a one-man operation to a thriving team of over 10 employees, recently earning an FAA Air Agency Certificate as an approved Repair Station with Limited Airframe, Limited Instrument, and Limited Radio Ratings. Known for his relentless pursuit of quality, Captain Hankins instills a culture of precision, often reminding his team that “good enough, just isn’t good enough” and reinforcing the importance of adhering to approved technical data.