
Ice Pilots NWT
Streaming on (US) ![]()
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What's it about: This documentary series follows the pilots of the Yellowknife-based Buffalo Airways, which still flies Second World War airplanes to transport people around the north. Reminds us of: Ice Road Truckers in the air. The buzz: Since History Television is using words like "ice pilots," blizzards" and "frozen lakes," I'm going to go out on a limb and say this will be like Ice Road Truckers, but with airplanes. Does that mean I won't watch? Are you kidding?? I'll be glued to the set. The chance to see pilots dealing with crappy weather, loopy passengers and potentially dangerous cargo – all being shipped around in planes made in the 1940s – is a recipe for disaster. And great TV.
Castfull cast & details
Episodes by season
Season01
- S01E01
Buffalo AirNovember 18, 2009—Rookie co-pilot Scott faces his worst nightmare when a faltering Curtiss C-46 Commando engine and low fog force a scary landing. Ambitious y - S01E02
Pre-Christmas RushNovember 25, 2009—Christmas is just around the corner, but Buffalo's crucial food and mail runs come to a halt. An engine seizure strands Scott, AJ and the C- - S01E03
Birthday From HellDecember 2, 2009—A string of bad luck turns chief pilot Arnie's 66th birthday run into the flight from hell – and threatens to spoil his naughty birthday sur - S01E04
A Big DealDecember 9, 2009—When a power failure leaves Rankin Inlet exposed to the brutal northern elements, captain Justin races to deliver an emergency generator. Ra - S01E05
40/40/40December 16, 2009—Mechanic Cory races against the clock to turn two short-haul waterbombers into trans-Atlantic aircraft for the epic journey to Turkey. It's - S01E06
On the MoveDecember 23, 2009—A charter flight falls through the cracks after the McBryans attend a wild family wedding, and an irate Joe pulls captain Justin from the Tu - S01E07
SuspensionDecember 30, 2009—A furious Joe fights against a federal suspension that will prevent him from carrying passengers for the first time in 20 years. It's also a - S01E08
Cause for CelebrationJanuary 6, 2010—AJ and Candace get married in the Ice Castle. A frustrated Chuck tries to get the Electra to pay her way. A flummoxed Mikey tries to bake a - S01E09
Transatlantic CrossingJanuary 13, 2010—The Turkey crew makes the critical jump over the North Atlantic. But en route to Portugal, one crew is forced to turn back. With no power on - S01E10
Thin IceJanuary 20, 2010—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 aga - S01E11
The CrashJanuary 27, 2010—Across the world in spectacular Izmir, after thousands of hours of painstaking preparation and life-risking flying, a terrible accident deva - S01E12
Change of SeasonsFebruary 3, 2010—Cargo manager (and unofficial Buffalo den mother) Kelly has problems enough when Jynelle's holiday leaves her shorthanded. But when her engi - S01E13
Up in the AirFebruary 10, 2010—After her husband's acrimonious departure from Buffalo, Kelly has a confrontation that decides whether she, too, will quit. Jeremy makes a m
Season02
- S02E01
Frozen FourJanuary 12, 2011—Joe fights the feds while Justin and his crew are stranded in the High Arctic. With the plane frozen solid and a -40 cold snap on the way, c - S02E02
Fire and IceJanuary 19, 2011—When a deadly fire destroys a northern outpost a week before Christmas, Kelly puts aside her personal dilemmas to rally Buffalo to the rescu - S02E03
Under PressureJanuary 26, 2011—Roommate pilots Devan and Scott experience a mysterious rise in oil pressure that could destroy one of the C-46's engines. Rookies Andrew an - S02E04
The Right StuffFebruary 2, 2011—Mikey goes on a Venezuelan treasure hunt for a rare CL-215 waterbomber, and new pilots Andrew and Graeme face their toughest test yet - flyi - S02E05
The River LiftFebruary 9, 2011—Buffalo launches an all-out campaign to airlift 100,000lbs of essential goods to cut-off northern communities, Justin helps a Mountie move a - S02E06
Don't Muck with ChuckFebruary 16, 2011—Crusty mechanic Chuck scrambles to ready the Electra for a mission to the High Arctic, and former rampie Audrey returns to Buffalo and reign - S02E07
The Finish LineFebruary 23, 2011—A multi-stop mission to the Far North pits Devan, Scott and Adam in an ongoing battle for fuel and oil as they circuit their destinations. A - S02E08
Ski PlaneMarch 2, 2011—Young pilots AJ and Andrew get the chance of a lifetime to fly the DC-3 mounted on snow skis, and tension mounts across the company as Buffa - S02E09
Buffalo ScoresMarch 9, 2011—Buffalo flies the Stanley Cup on a tour of the North, and a licence suspension has Joe looking for a captain to replace him on the passenger - S02E10
Special DeliveryMarch 16, 2011—Chief pilot Arnie lands the DC-3 on a homemade sand strip at a remote lodge. Electra expert Chuck faces off with a stubborn power unit, and - S02E11
YukonMarch 23, 2011—When thunderstorms and a shaky engine threaten a charter to Whitehorse, Joe pulls out all the stops to get the passengers to their destinati - S02E12
British InvasionMarch 30, 2011—A potential Electra plane purchase in Coventry, England has Joe showing Mikey the ropes of international business. New dad Rod misses his da - S02E13
Arnie Calls ItApril 6, 2011—While training pilots for the upcoming fire season, chief pilot Arnie makes an unexpected announcement. Joe and the whole McBryan family hea
Season03
- S03E01Under New ManagementOctober 12, 2011—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
- S03E02DambustersOctober 19, 2011—Buffalo gets into the stunt flying business when veteran pilot Arnie flies the DC-4 for the re-enactment scene of a famous WWII bombing raid
- S03E03Chuck WalksOctober 26, 2011—Critical of the many stops and starts in the Electra program, and frustrated with the constant drama at Buffalo, Chuck quits. Joe clashes wi
- S03E04Gear Up, Gear DownNovember 2, 2011—Frustrated with her lack of flying and stuck in a rut as a courier driver, Audrey decides her time at Buffalo is over. Devan, Ian and Jimmy
- S03E05Big BoostNovember 9, 2011—When a ferry breakdown causes a gasoline shortage in Yellowknife, new manager Duane begs Chuck to return and prepare the Electra for a fuel
- S03E06Power StruggleNovember 23, 2011—Duane lands a huge contract for the Electra and puts enormous pressure on mechanic Adam to prep the plane without the help of his mentor Chu
- S03E07Top of the WorldNovember 30, 2011—The Electra flies to Alert, the northernmost settlement on Earth, forcing Adam and new senior manager Duane to work things out. Hay River ra
- S03E08Last DaysDecember 7, 2011—Sparks fly when Joe discovers Gord has taken a job with a rival airline after completing expensive training on one of the Buffalo planes. La
- S03E09Push Comes to ShoveDecember 14, 2011—Trying to make his mark at Buffalo, Duane lands two more Electra contracts. But his over-zealous efforts result in a clash with the crew and
- S03E10The DoghouseDecember 21, 2011—Duane's decision to leave the Electra crew unsupervised while he spends time at home jeopardizes the completion of a major contract, and cou
- S03E11Ice StripJanuary 4, 2012—Mechanic Jimmy is sent to a northern mining camp to create an ice landing strip on a remote lake where AJ will have to land a DC-3 and the m
- S03E12Expect the UnexpectedJanuary 11, 2012—Engine troubles on the C-46 during the valley run force Devan to shut down an engine. High winds wreak havoc for Devan and his crew on anoth
- S03E13Coming HomeJanuary 18, 2012—Rookie waterbomber pilot Scott gets his first taste of action when Buffalo responds to an emergency callout to fight fires in Alberta. Mikey
Season04
- S04E01
Dark SkiesNovember 7, 2012—Joe performs stunt landings for a film crew; new employee Ryan tries to prove his worth in Hay River; a dental hygienist gets thrown into th - S04E02
Shut DownNovember 14, 2012—Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visits Buffalo Airways; Joe clashes with inspectors; the Electra crew flies to Sachs Harbour for a me - S04E03
A Tale of Two PilotsNovember 21, 2012—Weighed down by the responsibility of training a new rampie, and struggling to get out of Joe's doghouse, DC3 co-pilot Tyler gets a once in - S04E04
Ice JamNovember 29, 2012—After taking command of an intense airlift, and dealing with the ugliest Electra load he's ever seen, Scott takes a scary fall on the icy ta - S04E05
A Very Buffalo ChristmasDecember 6, 2012—A week before Christmas, Buffalo agrees to lend a hand to an RCMP initiative to fly toys to isolated communities in the north. But a series - S04E06
Crash LandingDecember 13, 2012—Just months from retiring, Electra captain Ray Weber leads his crew on a multi trip mission that requires landing on a rough ice strip on a - S04E07
For Sale By OwnerDecember 19, 2012—When South Korean buyers come to Buffalo to look at a water bomber, the pressure is on mechanic Cory to get the plane ready. But a landing g - S04E08
Over SeasJanuary 2, 2013—Buffalo has to get a CL-215 water bomber to buyers in Korea. So Justin and Cory fly the plane to Vancouver Harbour, where it will be hoisted - S04E09
Water WingsJanuary 9, 2013—In South Korea, Cory and Justin meet the ship delivering Buffalo's water bomber plane to new buyers there. But the boys are frustrated by th - S04E10
MeltdownJanuary 16, 2013—As spring arrives and Ray's retirement day approaches, Sean surprises everyone by leaving Buffalo for a job with the competition. So Buffalo - S04E11
North Atlantic ConvoyJanuary 23, 2013—Greenland's Narsarsuaq airport – known as one the world's most dangerous approaches – looms on the horizon as Cory and Justin begin a trans- - S04E12
SunkJanuary 30, 2013—Joe and Mikey hire a helicopter for a salvage mission to retrieve the rare tailpiece from a Lockheed 10A that crashed in the Yellowknife woo - S04E13
Turkey or BustFebruary 6, 2013—Iron Maiden lead singer Bruce Dickinson flies Buffalo's planes, Mikey goes for a ride in a CF-18 fighter jet, and Justin and Cory complete t
Season05
- S05E01
Cold StartOctober 23, 2013—This season opens with a meltdown when the C-46 suffers a major gear collapse on the runway, sending the entire Buffalo crew scrambling. As - S05E02
ShootoutOctober 30, 2013—Buffalo Airways is still reeling from the recent accident – especially mechanic Chuck. Mikey tries to lift spirits by setting up a hockey sh - S05E03
SnowplaneNovember 6, 2013—Joe preps for a race in an antique snowplane – a 1940s ancestor of the snowmobile, powered by an airplane engine and devoid of brakes. No on - S05E04
Gear LockNovember 13, 2013—After a breakdown uses up the last of Joe's spare DC-3 engines, he enlists former Buffalo pilot Devan Brooks to ferry another plane all the - S05E05
Aussie AceNovember 20, 2013—Following almost a year of repairs after its crash landing, Buffalo Airways' Electra returns home to take on an urgent mission – returning t - S05E06
Rock Stars and RampiesNovember 27, 2013—Joe's stress over the state of his water bombers, currently being stored in Wales, sparks an angry blow up with Cory, pushing Cory and Rod t - S05E07
Ice CampDecember 4, 2013—Mikey joins the Canadian Rangers for an extreme outdoor training experience farther north than he's ever been. While he's gone, a military A - S05E08
Frozen SolidDecember 11, 2013—It's Joe's 69th birthday and he's never flown a helicopter before. So Mikey plans a special gift of chopper flight lessons, complete with su - S05E09
Power CrashDecember 18, 2013—The Electra has become Buffalo's winter workhorse – the one plane they need to keep flying. During a High Arctic delivery mission, a 5,000-p - S05E10
BreakdownJanuary 8, 2014—Co-pilot Graeme Ferguson gets the biggest opportunity of his short career when Buffalo needs to train a second Electra crew. But none of Buf - S05E11
Target PracticeJanuary 15, 2014—The Electra is still working around the clock and Buffalo is ready to pick up another, the second of its new British acquisitions. Joe and M - S05E12
Air ShowJanuary 22, 2014—Mikey and Joe visit the Hamilton air show where Mikey has planned a major surprise for Father's Day. Joe is going to ride along in a CT-114 - S05E13
Five SeasonsJanuary 29, 2014—It's been a wild five years for ICE PILOTS NWT. To celebrate the milestone, we pull back the curtain for an inside glimpse into the producti
Season06
- S06E01
A Ball O'SnagsOctober 29, 2014—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 en - S06E02
Ice StormNovember 5, 2014—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 - S06E03
Old DogsNovember 12, 2014—When Buffalo's newest Electra, ZFE, lands in Yellowknife with only three functioning engines, mechanic Chuck Adams comes to the rescue to re - S06E04
CheckflightNovember 19, 2014—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' - S06E05
Second ChancesNovember 26, 2014—Newly minted copilot Jeff Tapper is excited for his first revenue DC-3, but his inexperience shows when he botches the approach and bounces - S06E06
Big Plans, Bad LuckDecember 3, 2014—Mikey talks to a 15-year-old aviation buff in England via Skype, who has discovered that Buffalo's DC3–WZS–flew on D-Day. This inspires Mike - S06E07
DogfightDecember 10, 2014—Mikey shows a veteran Buffalo's DC-3, WZS, Buffalo's very own vintage plane from the Second World War. It is being fitted with a special ‘st - S06E08
D-DayDecember 17, 2014—The Buffalo boys gather in Red Deer for Mikey's D-Day tribute jump. Joe and Sam scout out the designated military drop zone over Abraham Lak
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