Ice Pilots NWT
Ice Pilots NWT is a reality television documentary series that portrays Buffalo Airways, an airline based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Buffalo flies WWII-era propeller planes year-round in the Canadian North.
Genre: Documentary
Cast:Michael Daingerfield , Mikey McBryan , Joe McBryan , Rod McBryan , Kelly Jurasevic , Tara Newbigging , Bruce Dickinson , Chris Staples , Corey Dodd , Devan Brooks , Ken Brooker , Sam Storm , Raman Srivastava , Adam Smith , George Chuvalo , Arnie Schreder , Kirsten Swanson , Alex Debogorski
S1.E1 ∙ Buffalo Air
A day in the life at Buffalo Airways, as a rookie co-pilot faces an emergency landing, a hot-shot young flyer gets thrown into the hot seat and the boss' son gets in hot water. Co-pilot Scott Blue slogs it out on the Buffalo ramp to prep the vintage Curtiss C-46 Commando for its daily supply run. He's anxious to build more flying time to get the experience he needs to become a captain. And finally, he gets to fly with captain AJ Decoste. But the trip turns into much more than either of them bargained for, when a faltering engine and low fog force one of the toughest landings of their lives. Meanwhile, new arrival Alex Wagner, up north to learn to fly the Douglas DC-4, must prove himself when Buffalo's chief pilot gives him control of the 20-ton plane for the very first time. And long-suffering Mikey McBryan must redeem himself when a breakdown with his father's Douglas DC-3 forces Joe to call the backup plane into service - but it's nowhere near ready.
S1.E2 ∙ Pre-Christmas Rush
It's the Christmas season and the northern communities depend on Buffalo more than ever to fly in food and supplies. But the engine in the C-46 seizes up in the tiny town of Norman Wells, stranding Scott and AJ and causing a chain reaction that pushes the whole company to the breaking point. Crusty mechanic Chuck Adams faces the challenge of replacing the entire engine - bare-handed in the minus 30 deep freeze - on the remote tarmac. Back at the Yellowknife hangar, tempers flare as cargo manager Kelly Jurasevich is pushed to the breaking point to re-route the Christmas food and goods. But when the landing gear on the backup C-46 gets stuck, captain Devan Brooks must turn back. Yet Joe presses Mikey in no uncertain terms; they've got to get the goods out somehow.
S1.E3 ∙ Birthday from Hell
It's chief pilot Arnie Schreder's birthday, and he and Scott take Kelly along for her first ride on the daily C-46 supply run. Kelly wants to meet Buffalo's clients - especially to soothe feelings after the Christmas cargo dustup. But a string of bad luck threatens to spoil the day - and the naughty birthday surprise Kelly has waiting back at the hangar. Ramp hand (or "rampie") Jeremy Dow is desperate to move up the ranks and out of the numbing grunt work he's had to endure for the past four months. But when new rampie Audrey Marchand's enthusiasm and "can-do" attitude impresses boss Joe, Jeremy realizes she may just jump the queue. And after the crew works all night to install gas tanks in the DC-4, hotshot new co-pilot Alex joins captain Justin Simle on a tricky fuel haul. Along the way, he grabs the chance to execute his first take-off, and get in some rare "low flying" over the spectacular northern landscape.
S1.E4 ∙ A Big Deal
To move up from "rampie" to co-pilot at Buffalo, you first need to become a flight attendant. And Jeremy is determined to make it onto the next course - and beat co-worker Audrey into the co-pilot's seat. But first he has to find a way to ensure his Delhi-born protégé, the underweight and homesick Raman, can stick it out in Hay River alone. When a power failure leaves Rankin Inlet exposed to the brutal northern elements, DC-4 captain Justin must pull out the stops to try to get two massive generators up to the remote community before sundown. And when the recession nips at "Buffalo" Joe's heels, he organizes a $7-million sale of two Canadair CL-215 waterbombers to the Turkish government. A delegation arrives to seal the deal. With so much money on the line, will the contract close, or will the eccentric Joe say something to screw it up, as his son Mikey fears?
S1.E5 ∙ 40/40/40
Captain Devan and co-pilot Scott are best buddies and roommates. But when they encounter the menace of wind shear at notorious Bear Rock, the hair-raising experience tests their friendship. Engineer Adam Smith must gut it out in minus 40 when he and AJ find themselves with a broken engine push rod on a remote airstrip. And now that the Turkish waterbomber deal has gone through, it's up to lead mechanic Cory Dodd to turn two lightweight, summertime planes into aircraft able to withstand the rigours of a North Atlantic flight in the middle of winter. Then he has to get back to Yellowknife to see his wife Sonja for an important rendezvous before the dangerous journey that will keep them apart for months.
S1.E6 ∙ On the Move
Joe's daughter Kathy is getting married in Las Vegas and Mikey has persuaded his father to take time off for the first time in seven years. Mikey does his best to make sure everything is covered while they're away. But when Joe gets back he finds that a charter has slipped through the cracks. Arnie and Justin are in Red Deer doing test flights for the risky journey to Turkey, and there's no one to fly the job. Joe personally flies to Red Deer to vent his anger - and haul Justin back. Justin's task is to move an impatient Brit, his dog and all his worldly possessions to the remote northern outpost of Paulatuk. But weather conditions are not cooperating and time is ticking to get Justin back and bound for Turkey. Meanwhile, Devan takes girlfriend Jynelle Glenn dog sledding for her birthday - and to talk over his upcoming interview for a job flying for the UN in Africa, leaving them both uncertain what the offer might mean for their future.
S1.E7 ∙ Suspension
A bombshell hits "Buffalo" Joe. Because he fired his flight attendant manager, the feds serve him with a suspension for not having the proper supervision. The DC-3, which he's proudly flown for 20 years, cannot leave the ground with passengers on board. It's also a setback for Jeremy and the other rampies: no flight attendant manager means no training course and no chance for anyone to move up. Then an unexpected injury delivers an even worse twist of fate. But for the Turkey team, it's finally a go. After an emotional sendoff, Arnie, Justin and the waterbomber crew set off on the first leg of their journey: a risky trip across Canada in the dead of winter-with no de-icing equipment.
S1.E8 ∙ Cause for Celebration
After the Turkey crew arrives in Newfoundland, Cory discovers a potentially dangerous leak in the fuel lines. Anxious about their limited window to depart safely, he stays behind from the cold-water survival course to fix it, while Arnie, Justin and the other pilots press on. The course is sobering; the stark dangers of what they are about to do are sinking in. Then, tragedy. A helicopter crashes off the coast of Newfoundland. Ironically, the raging winds hampering rescue efforts give the Buffalo boys their long-awaited tailwind. Will they chance the treacherous North Atlantic crossing? Back in Yellowknife, cranky mechanic Chuck tries his damndest to prep the Electra for a fuel haul to Baker Lake, but gets foiled at every turn. Mikey, seeking a way to show his affection for his undemonstrative father, tries to make a cake for Joe's 65th birthday - even though he's never baked. And the Buffalo gang convene at the Ice Castle for AJ and Candace's wedding.
S1.E9 ∙ Transatlantic Crossing
On the edge of the continent, the Turkey crew fights icing danger to make the critical jump over the North Atlantic to Santa Maria in the Azores. But the next day, en route to Portugal, crew #2's right engine fails. With a plane full of slopping fuel and no power on one engine, it will take all of their ingenuity and experience to get back into Santa Maria, where the airport is on full emergency alert. In Yellowknife, Mikey and Scott page through piles of resumes to search for another trained pilot willing to endure initiation as a Buffalo rampie. Jeremy's mood plummets even further as Audrey and new threat Wilf Darr seem sure to pass him.
S1.E10 ∙ Thin Ice
Joe gets a lucrative late-season contract to fly mining equipment to an airstrip on a frozen lake, sending C-46 and DC-4 crews on a race against the spring melt. But conflict erupts between Devan and a senior pilot. And when the client reports an on-site incident, Joe goes on the warpath. Though Jeremy has missed a number of flight attendant classes, he's confident he can catch up to fellow rampies Audrey and Wilf. But too much confidence just may be a dangerous thing. And over the North Atlantic, Arnie, Justin and Cory press on to Turkey, even though they have only half of the spare parts in their plane. But there are some serious volcanoes and busy Mediterranean air traffic ahead.
S1.E11 ∙ The Crash
Across the world in spectacular Izmir, after thousands of hours of painstaking preparation and life-risking flying, a terrible accident devastates the Turkey crew - and everyone at Buffalo Airways. In Yellowknife, the spring melt is well underway, and northerners are finding ways to celebrate, from checking out the melting waterfalls to racing jet boats onto the remaining river ice. It's also Wilf's first run as flight attendant on the DC-3 - for which he insists on wearing a shirt and tie to the consternation of the entire company. It's the final push Jeremy needs to move to HQ in Yellowknife. Kelly and Jynelle dig up a house-warming surprise that practically brings tears to the gruff rampie's eyes. But has the move come too late to do him any good?
S1.E12 ∙ Change of Seasons
Cargo manager (and unofficial Buffalo den mother) Kelly has problems enough when Jynelle's holiday leaves her shorthanded. But when her engineer husband Juan quits on the spot after a blowout with Joe, Kelly is left in a terrible position. Will Kelly stay - or will she go? Scott also gets bad news: he must stand down from flying so a rival co-pilot can be fast-tracked to captain. Scott pulls out all the stops to secure a new contract flying practically to the North Pole, which will get him back in the pilot's seat. But his rival is also interested in this new dream job - flying the C-46 to Eureka, a tiny research station at the top of the world. And after nine months of brutal work and tough luck, Jeremy sees light at the end of the tunnel. Buffalo needs a new DC-3 co-pilot, and contrary to expectation, he's getting a crack at it. But first, he's got to pass the test of flying with Joe.
S1.E13 ∙ Up in the Air
After her husband's acrimonious departure from Buffalo, Kelly has a confrontation that decides whether she, too, will quit. Jeremy makes a mistake that could end his Buffalo career. An aviation gas shortage brings a sobering dose of reality to the McBryans. And after a visit from his mom, fate throws Scott an unexpected curve ball. When the dust settles, someone will be leaving Buffalo Airways.
S2.E1 ∙ Frozen Four
As Joe fights a Transport Canada claim against the airline, star pilot Justin is tasked with shipping an 8,000lb generator to a remote town. But a controversial decision results in the DC-4 becoming stranded and frozen solid on a High Arctic airstrip. Now Justin must find a way to thaw the plane and complete the mission - or face the wrath of an already stressed out boss.
S2.E2 ∙ Fire and Ice
When a deadly fire destroys a northern outpost a week before Christmas, Buffalo puts everything aside to come to the rescue. Cargo Manager Kelly receives a shocking diagnosis that renews her fight to quit smoking. And new father AJ balances a captain's life with new responsibilities.
S2.E3 ∙ Under Pressure
The curse of -40 hits Buffalo pilots Devan and Scott on a food mail flight up the Mackenzie Valley when a mysterious rise in oil pressure threatens to destroy one of the C-46's engines. Rookie pilots Andrew and Graeme face the test they've been working toward for years - getting "checked out" as DC-3 co-pilots. And when Jynelle gets pulled back into running Buffalo's cargo operations during her school exams, it's a recipe for a meltdown.
S2.E4 ∙ The Right Stuff
Mikey goes on a treasure hunt to Venezuela for a rare CL-215 waterbomber. Cargo Manager Kelly's stress levels hit a new high when she returns from her Mexican vacation in even worse health than when she left. And new pilots Andrew and Graeme face the toughest test of their young careers - flying with irascible Buffalo boss Joe McBryan.
S2.E5 ∙ The River Lift
A vital ferry link is down, so Buffalo mounts an all-out campaign to airlift 100,000lbs of essential goods across the Mackenzie River. As Devan and Scott shuttle goods nonstop, things really pile up for Jynelle in cargo. Meanwhile, Justin helps an RCMP corporal move to a new community, and expectant parents Rod and Sasha McBryan get the first glimpse of their baby via 3D ultrasound.
S2.E6 ∙ Don't Muck with Chuck
Crusty mechanic Chuck leads the scramble to ready the Electra for a disaster relief mission in Haiti, but fate's curve-ball sends them to the High Arctic instead. As Buffalo's current crop of rampies struggles to get ahead, former flight attendant Audrey returns to shake up the roster.
S2.E7 ∙ The Finish Line
A multi-stop mission to the Far North has Devan, Scott and Adam facing a series of white-knuckle obstacles. From an oil-spewing engine on one plane to a gas-guzzling engine on another, it's an ongoing battle to maintain fluid levels as they circuit their destinations. Add Joe's wrath to the mix and it's a mettle-testing journey they won't soon forget. Meanwhile, Audrey's northern adventure escorting a team of dog mushers to the 2010 Arctic Winter Games puts her in the driver's seat in a way she didn't expect.
S2.E8 ∙ Ski Plane
Young pilots AJ and Andrew get the chance of a lifetime to fly the magnificent DC-3 specially equipped with skis to land on frozen strips. It's up to chief pilot Arnie to guide them in the lost art of taking off and landing on skis as they fly to a remote lake and land on the thinning ice. Meanwhile, tension mounts as Buffalo's contract for the Mackenzie Valley food mail service is up for renewal, and Rod balances tricky personnel issues with preparing for the arrival of his first child.
S2.E9 ∙ Buffalo Scores
Buffalo scores the charter of a lifetime when they're asked to transport the Stanley Cup on a tour of the North. Cup fever spreads quickly around Buffalo, and for Mikey, what begins as an innocent love for this hockey icon soon becomes an obsession. Meanwhile, a Transport Canada violation forces Joe to give up his license for 10 days. He reluctantly looks for a captain to replace him on the passenger run he's flown for almost 30 years.
S2.E10 ∙ Special Delivery
Chief pilot Arnie lands the DC-3 on a homemade sand strip at a remote lodge. Electra expert Chuck goes one-on-one with a stubborn power unit, and Rod's wife Sasha goes into labour with the newest member of the McBryan family.
S2.E11 ∙ Yukon
When thunderstorms and a shaking engine threaten a DC-3 charter to Whitehorse, Joe pulls out all the stops to get the passengers to their destination. Patient C-46 co-pilot Scott Blue finally gets his crack at the DC-4, and the newest member of the McBryan dynasty, baby Emma Rae, makes her first visit to the Buffalo hangar.
S2.E12 ∙ British Invasion
Joe and Mikey head off to Coventry, England to navigate the potential purchase of an Electra turboprop to add to Buffalo's fleet of fire-fighting tanker planes. The father-son duo makes a great team; hard-nosed Joe deals with the business end, while Mikey bonds with the clients during a raucous visit to the local pub. Meanwhile, new dad Rod leads a mission to Manitoba and misses his newborn daughter while away on the job.
S2.E13 ∙ Arnie Calls It
While training waterbomber captains for the upcoming fire-fighting season, chief pilot Arnie makes a surprising decision. AJ becomes a DC-4 captain and ponders whether to accept a promotion. Meanwhile Joe and the whole McBryan family pile into the ol' DC-3 and head to the Super Bowl of aviation - AirVenture Air Show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
S3.E1 ∙ Under New Management
Joe hires outsider Duane Hicks to help Buffalo navigate the future and coach Mikey. Gord and Sean's DC-3 delivery mission to the High Arctic goes awry when blizzard conditions and a broken oil cooler force an emergency landing.
S3.E2 ∙ Dambusters
Buffalo gets into the stunt flying business when veteran pilot Arnie flies the DC-4 for the reenactment scene of a famous WWII bombing raid. A routine C-46 flight becomes dangerous when a hole in the plane's aging exhaust system sets off the fire alarm, and Devan has to decide whether or not to shut down an engine mid-flight.
S3.E3 ∙ Chuck Walks
Frustrated with the constant drama at Buffalo, Chuck quits. Joe clashes with the maintenance department when a series of delays puts the important sale of a Canso aircraft in jeopardy. Mikey goes on an ATV hunting trip.
S3.E4 ∙ Gear Up, Gear Down
Frustrated with her lack of flying, Audrey decides her time at Buffalo is over. Normally calm under pressure, Devan is put to the test by a scary series of midair C-46 hydraulic problems.
S3.E5 ∙ Big Boost
A gasoline shortage prompts Duane to beg Chuck to return and prepare the Electra for a fuel haul. Cory goes on a rescue mission to nurse an abandoned C-46 back to life and Mikey goes on a birthday joyride in a fighter jet.
S3.E6 ∙ Power Struggle
Duane lands a big Electra contract and puts Adam in charge for the first time. Kelly plans her wedding, but Jynelle's resignation leaves her in the lurch. A power outage sends Joe into crisis mode.
S3.E7 ∙ Top of the World
The Electra flies to the northernmost outpost on Earth, where Adam and new manager Duane are forced to work things out. Rampie Tyler is put on the co-pilot fast track, but first must prove to Justin that he can handle the DC-4.
S3.E8 ∙ Last Days
Sparks fly when Joe discovers Gord has taken a job with a rival airline. Larry, a rookie rampie, makes a near fatal error while training on the C-46.
S3.E9 ∙ Push Comes to Shove
Duane clashes with Joe and the pilots as he pushes to get two ambitious contracts done on time. Rookie DC-3 co-pilot Tyler discovers that landing the big plane takes practice.
S3.E10 ∙ The Doghouse
Delays on a big Electra contract could cost Duane his job. Young co-pilot Graeme lands in Joe's doghouse.
S3.E11 ∙ Ice Strip
Mechanic Jimmy is sent to a northern mining camp to create an ice landing strip on a remote lake. New co-pilot Tyler faces the ultimate test - flying the sked with Joe.
S3.E12 ∙ Expect the Unexpected
Engine troubles on the C-46 during the valley run force Devan to shut down an engine. Scott trains on a CL-215 waterbomber then joins the waterbombing crews when Buffalo is called in to fight a massive fire in Alberta.
S3.E13 ∙ Coming Home
Rookie waterbomber pilot Scott gets his first taste of action when Buffalo responds to an emergency callout to fight fires in Alberta.
S4.E1 ∙ Dark Skies
Joe goes stunt flying in the DC3 while two new rampies try to prove they've got what it takes.
S4.E2 ∙ Shut Down
Transport Canada threatens to shut down the airline, the Electra picks up a load of 250 culled musk oxen and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visits.
S4.E3 ∙ A Tale of Two Pilots
Tyler stunt flies for a visiting film crew, and Andrew breaks the news to Joe that he's leaving for a bigger airline.
S4.E4 ∙ Ice Jam
Scott has a bad fall on the icy tarmac, Chuck returns to Buffalo and stirs the pot, Joe helps out an old friend "Ice Road Trucker" Alex Debogorski.
S4.E5 ∙ A Very Buffalo Christmas
Buffalo flies Christmas toys to isolated northern communities, and holiday stress pushes Kelly past her limit.
S4.E6 ∙ Crash Landing
When the Electra's right landing gear gets stuck in the wheel well, Ray is forced to perform an emergency landing.
S4.E7 ∙ For Sale by Owner
When the Electra's right landing gear gets stuck in the wheel well, Ray is forced to perform an emergency landing.
S4.E9 ∙ Water Wings
Tempers flare in South Korea when Cory and Justin hoist the CL-215 off an ocean freighter, and Mikey competes in a snowshoe marathon.
S4.E10 ∙ Meltdown
Electra captain Brian is brought in to finish a job to a deteriorating ice strip, and Buffalo remembers aviation legend Arnie Schreder.
S4.E11 ∙ North Atlantic Convoy
Justin and Cory must land at one of the world's most dangerous airstrips in Greenland on their way to Turkey, and Mikey goes to Denmark for the opening of Legoland's Buffalo-themed attraction.
S4.E12 ∙ Sunk
Joe and Mikey salvage a rare tailpiece from a lost plane wreck, and Cory and Justin fight to stay aloft during severe icing over the North Atlantic.
S4.E13 ∙ Turkey or Bust
Justin and Cory complete their epic mission to Turkey, Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson flies Buffalo's planes, and Mikey goes for a ride in and CF-18 fighter jet.
S5.E1 ∙ Cold Start
Mikey links up with Chris Hadfield aboard the International Space Station. Problems mount while trying to get a frozen DC-4 airborne. A landing gear collapse on the runway sends the entire crew scrambling.
S5.E2 ∙ Shootout
Rookie co-pilot David faces a remote Arctic airstrip with sketchy landing gear. Mikey drafts a Buffalo hockey team to face off against an NHL squad in a charity shootout. Chuck gets a chance to shine on the ice.
S5.E3 ∙ Snowplane
Joe races a quirky antique snowmobile - with an airplane engine and no brakes. The water bomber crew struggles to get two planes out of Turkey. Cocky rampie Chris Staples tries to prove himself in the C-46.
S5.E4 ∙ Gear Lock
A cold snap triggers massive challenges. Devan runs into gear problems while he ferries a mothballed DC-3 across the country. And Justin has to make a snap decision with his newborn son aboard his plane.
S5.E5 ∙ Aussie Ace
The Electra crew tests out the plane that crash landed last year by landing on an ice strip while a hotshot Australian pilot tries for a job at Buffalo. Tyler works up the courage to confront Joe about a big decision.
S5.E6 ∙ Rockstars and Rampies
Facing Joe's wrath, Rod and Cory head to the UK to make urgent water bomber repairs. David tries to prove himself to Devan in the C-46 but ends up infuriating Devan. Will makes an ultimatum in Hay River.
S5.E7 ∙ Ice Camp
Mikey trains for High Arctic survival with the Canadian Rangers. The Air Force invades Chuck's hangar. Joe faces tough competition at a California plane auction.
S5.E8 ∙ Frozen Solid
AJ and James battle a DC-4 engine fire. It's Joe's 69th birthday - and he's never flown a helicopter before, so Mikey plans a special gift of chopper flight lessons.
S5.E9 ∙ Power Crash
Cory, Chuck and Brian watch as a 5,000-pound power unit smash to the ground, denting the Electra and putting it out of commission. Mikey scrambles to manage the crisis while Joe races to England to try and purchase a backup Electra.
S5.E10 ∙ Breakdown
Co-pilot Graeme's fumbles his Electra training landings. Chris stresses over his C-46 check ride. Adam rescues a stranded C-46.
S5.E11 ∙ Target Practice
Joe and Mikey head to England to bring home a new plane. Devan does target-practice in the DC-4.James builds a Buffalo-style soapbox racer.
S5.E12 ∙ Air Show
Joe flies with the Snowbirds during the Hamilton air show and later teaches Mikey to fly. A surprise departure shakes up Buffalo.
S5.E13 ∙ Five Seasons
A look back at the last five years, a peek behind the camera, and reflections from the Buffalo crew.
S6.E1 ∙ A Ball O'Snags
It's Buffalo's busiest winter yet, and they roll out the C-46, TXW, to fly all the freight up the Mackenzie Valley. But when one of TXW's engines catches fire, Buffalo scrambles to find a backup plane in time for Christmas deliveries. They look to their newly purchased Electra, XFC, to fill the void, but Adam, Chuck, Brian and Mikey discover it has a cracked windshield and cannot be flown safely. Joe, Brian and Cory fly to meet Rod in Red Deer to grab a replacement windshield. When they arrive, Joe first reveals his other plans-he wants the second Electra ZFE dug out of the snowbank where it's been sitting for months and get it up and running so that it can replace XFC on the Valley run. Rod's upset that he wasn't given more notice, and unloads on Mikey about Joe's reactionary management style. Back in Yellowknife, Buffalo's newest rampie, Prefkar Mony, is a determined young pilot from India who's got his eyes on flying Joe's prize planes. But first he has to adjust to life in the North-and purchasing proper winter gear is the first thing on his list.
S6.E2 ∙ Ice Storm
Chief Pilot AJ Decoste is flying up the Mackenzie Valley with Buffalo's newest Electra, XFC, for the first time. Mechanic Cory Dodd is along for the ride to do some training as a Flight Engineer. They try to make their deliveries before a storm rolls in but when they land in Norman Wells, they are faced with gale force winds. When their takeoff is delayed by two incoming planes, AJ is forced to shut down and wait out the storm in Norman Wells. Later, on their approach to Tulita, they face even stronger winds gusting over 40 knots. Over in Hay River, things go from bad to worse when a warm weather system brings the threat of a rare ice storm. Two daily skeds arrive from Yellowknife and the rampies have to batten down the DC-3s in preparation for a long, rough night-the worst storm in fifty years. And the newest rampie, CJ Asaf, just can't seem to fit in. Rampie Prefkar is tasked with training CJ on the Hay River delivery route, but Prefkar can't handle CJ or his attitude.
S6.E3 ∙ Old Dogs
When Buffalo's newest Electra, ZFE, lands in Yellowknife with only three functioning engines, mechanic Chuck Adams comes to the rescue to replace a brand-new $29,000 regulator on engine number three. It's been slow for the airline and delivering a load of building supplies to the RCMP up in Ulukhaktok, NWT, might help keep Buffalo in the air. Spurred by a recent crash landing and two engine fires, an audit team from Transport Canada descends on Buffalo Airways. With their long and tumultuous history with Joe, they demand that Buffalo appoint a new "Accountable Executive" within 72 hours, or risk being shut down. But Joe isn't about to hand over the keys to the kingdom-not even to Rod, his oldest son. Mikey worries that if they don't meet the deadline, Buffalo Airways could become Buffalo Spare Parts. Transport Canada isn't the only thing on Joe's mind; it's becoming apparent that Joe's 16-year-old rescue dog, Sophie, is on her last legs. One morning Joe finds Sophie lying under a plane, unable to stand up. Joe realizes that her time has come-he calls the vet.
S6.E4 ∙ Checkflight
Buffalo Joe has been a captain on the daily sked for 34 years and his 70th birthday is next week. Joe might have to stop flying if he doesn't pass his medical and that could spell the end of Buffalo. Before Joe leaves to undergo five days of medical tests at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, he calls two rampies, Sam Storm and Jeff Tapper, into his office to greenlight their DC-3 check flights. Both Jeff and Sam have slogged away for eight months waiting for this chance. But on flight day, Sam is sick to his stomach from eating bad eggs the night before. Sam is not about to let a bad egg beat him and he helps Jeff prep DC-3, LFR. Just before takeoff, nausea wins-Sam has no choice but to back out and there's no telling when he'll get another chance. Jeff, on the other hand, has to overcome the jitters that have haunted him ever since he was in a crash landing earlier in the year. Mikey, Rod and his family prepare to greet Joe with a birthday cake shaped like a DC-3. At the last minute, Mikey gets a call that Joe isn't coming back today; instead he's decided to celebrate his own way-going for a ride in a classic 1940 Boeing Stearman biplane.
S6.E5 ∙ Second Chances
Newly minted copilot Jeff Tapper is excited for his first revenue DC-3, but his inexperience shows when he botches the approach and bounces the landing three times, nearly running off the runway. Meanwhile, for new rampie Prefkar Mony to realize his dream of becoming a DC-3 pilot, he needs to first pass the written IATRA test. He's been studying for months, but on his first attempt, he fails. With the help of pilot/mechanic Chris Staples, Prefkar retakes the test and passes, but his victory celebration is short-lived when he's blamed for leaving an expensive shipment of medicine marked "Do Not Freeze" in a courier van during a minus 30 weekend. Later, Mikey and Katie decide to find Joe a new dog and choose Muffy, a three-year-old dog from the SPCA who is ready to leave her pups. They bring her back to the hangar for a test drive. Joe brings DC-3 CUE out of retirement to test fly the plane for Buffalo's summer sked duty and he brings along Jeff-and Muffy-to see if they're Buffalo material.
S6.E6 ∙ Big Plans, Bad Luck
Mikey decides to get Buffalo involved in a D-Day paratrooper jump to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Prefkar escapes Hay River courier duty. Cory finds an original bracket for the DC3 static line for Mikey's D-Day jump.
S6.E7 ∙ Dogfight
Buffalo's top guns, rookies and vets, go to California for aerial dogfights in real fighter planes. Cory and Mikey race to get ready for the D-Day jump.
S6.E8 ∙ D-Day
Mikey's much-planned D-Day tribute parachute jump with 20 paratroopers hits a wall when Joe refuses to fly his DC-3 to the drop zone.
