EXTREME FLIGHT - B737-200 Classic to the Arctic - Landing on Snow/Gravel

I flew with Chrono Aviation B737-200 Classic from Montreal to the Canadian Arctic north to experience the unique flight operation and landing on a snow-covered gravel runway.
Our first stop is Iqaluit at 63 degrees North. Iqaluit is a technical fuel stop. I got to walk around the airplane during the stop, the weather was freezing and bitter cold for me! ( -30 degrees with wind chill)
Our next stop is Mary River at 71 degrees North. Mary River has an iron ore mine operation. The runway is gravel and covered with snow during the winter months. During the flight, the captain explained the unique and challenging flight operations in the high Arctic such as the difference between true north and magnetic north, and the friction index on gravel landing. The Chrono Aviation B737-200 demonstrated strong continuous operation in challenging weather conditions.
Unexpectedly, I was offloaded due to overbooking on the return flight, I stayed behind at the Arctic mine for 12 hours. This was another unique experience. I flew out of Mary River on the next flight that evening.

[@enriqueantonioviterodrigue6402]

"Matblack" must be the greatest callsign ever !!

[@Wyatt98]

Yup

[@PlanesAreSoCool]

*matteblack

[@dWFnZWVr]

Speedbird (the British Airways callsign) has to be the greatest.

[@Shattereddemon300]

What about the call sign “night watch”

[@the_fitness_doc]

The blacked out 737-200 looks absolutely gorgeous

[@gw78787]

I like it too

[@fjphoto23]

It's intended to reduce heat loss in such cold temperatures.

[@lutomson3496]

And to find if crashed

[@abshivkumar2549]

@@lutomson3496 bad joke dude try again

[@syncmaster915n]

Hence the mat black call sign.

[@calvinallan2208]

Old but gold...best explanation of a 737-200 I've heard.

[@afridgetoofar1818]

Old with mold

[@Airborne_Arty82]

Does JC's parents know where he is and what he is doing?? Kidding! That's awesome. So young and accomplished.

[@JustinLHopkins]

Looks like a boy band member lol. So cute.

[@jnurmalita]

yeah... he is also handsome yoo

[@brandonrennie27]

It was great getting to meet you Sam! It was a pleasure welcoming you to the great Arctic! Glad you enjoyed your time flying with Chrono Aviation!!

[@TraveldenganDon]

Hey Sam! you should go to the North Pole in your next adventure✨✨👑👑 This was mine last time (turn on English sub since im indonesian) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGKQpaibftOihJI

[@hdbgbdgfhvvdghg]

Lol

[@stefann1989]

@@pokemontrainerred8425 no

[@Astragenix]

Lol

[@Astragenix]

@@stefann1989 yes Edit: I take that back didn’t expect that guy to spam ;/

[@penguinmemes4934]

That young pilot has learnt so many things at that age....incredible..!!!

[@penguinmemes4934]

@Viral Thunder i agree....becoming a pilot needs lot of money..!!

[@aryatubagus1206]

@Viral Thunder your'e right

[@johnnybugattisr.9558]

@Viral Thunder Don't be a hater with your dumb comments!! Guaranteed that young man made it through to where he is on his own merit. I personally know plenty of pilots who have made it to where they are on their own sweat and and sacrifice....including my own Son. Instead of criticizing others and feeling so much pity for yourself, get out there and follow your dreams...that was perseverance and hard work is all about. Good day

[@DanS-dc5vu]

@Viral Thunder because you made a comment discrediting the original compliment and it sounds like you are an insecure kid trying to knock someone’s accomplishments

[@DanS-dc5vu]

@Viral Thunder someone’s jealous

[@daisyswimmer7728]

I had NO IDEA they flew planes that large that far north. Wow, just wow. Great video!

[@chronoaviation5089]

We do it at least 3 times a week.

[@derekdumas2429]

That's just one of many mines, other mines have different contacts with different airlines. Id love to see Buffalo Airways and thier new 737 get some contacts!

[@zigarten]

Check out Alex Praglowski’s channel

[@rishifr3]

​@@chronoaviation5089 C'est super tout ce que vous faites !

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

they take the 737 quite a bit further north as well. Check out Norwegian, they land their 737 at the Svalbard archipelago, which is at 78°N which is another 500 miles north of Mary River

[@dodge33445]

This is AWESOME... SO young to be pilots and so amazing at what they do.. Watch the pilots perfect adjustments while never taking his eyes off the runway.. Like a BOSS.

[@tonynieuwoudt8469]

Observe how the commander actually retards the power levers during the take off ? Can only surmise due to the low temp's.

[@nathanmclain9027]

That Captains hair deserves its own salute. 🫡

[@Takadiurga]

These videos, about flying on the older planes are so much better than the First Class / Business Class reviews on the modern airliners

[@LordSandwichII]

Especially because it's something that AvGeeks can actually do, as opposed to the unobtainable prices that First Class and business class command.

[@hunkhk]

Agree - most likely a lot better for Sam's cholesterol levels too. No bubbly, no caviare, no cheese. Keep on rocking it Sam!

[@lionzion5382]

Both are cool

[@manifestgtr]

Nothing beats the sound (and the clamshell reverse thrust) of those old jt8d engines…also, it’s great to see such young pilots 👍

[@blackmen18]

One of your best videos. Love how the Capt had his hand off totally when the F/o was landing on the gravel. Asian aviation folks would understand the context!

[@jakembakem8357]

JC was so enthusiastic. Must be a great feeling being so welcomed on board.

[@sayyamzahid505]

Gwadar Saqib anwer

[@uksights1]

The interactions Sam has with crew, make the videos so good. Would love to see him do more destination videos like Istanbul. Sam is tv gold in my country even saw him on channel5 documentary about air travel.

[@egaramachannel9537]

😍😍

[@cyprianmwangi7583]

I like that young pilot...congrats from Qatar 🇶🇦 👌 😎

[@Mrarticaldan]

The takeoff from Mary River was absolutely amazing beautiful plane.

[@andrewouma3230]

Its only in aviation where u realise that a pilot isn't just a pilot as their level of experience is not the same.these pilots are great knowing how to manoeuvre,land and even navigate on the extreme conditions.congrats to them

[@dissle_atl]

This my first time seeing a 737-200 in full black. And it looks sick tbh

[@KyleMurph09]

Chrono also has B1900s and PC-12s (all black)

[@scottbrandon6244]

The Air New Zealand 777 -300ER planes are painted black too.

[@Bluenoser613]

Probably a good idea given it flies in an area what is mostly white landscape.

[@SuperReHaN16]

@@scottbrandon6244 except the engines and the wings

[@scottbrandon6244]

@@SuperReHaN16 Yep. I still like the 777 paint job.

[@jacquelinethompson5956]

The whole adjusting from magnetic North to geographic north is interesting. I learned something new.

[@mdtafshiruddin8063]

Are you married?🤓

[@woodboi5973]

Very interesting

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

Great episode - loved it. Brings back special memories for me. I flew several times back and forth from Trenton, Ontario (near Toronto) to CFS Alert (world's most northerly permanently inhabited settlement at the northern tip of Ellesmere Island, 800 km from the North Pole) in a C-130 Hercules back in the 1980's. It was an 8 hour flight straight north with a stop in Resolute (you have to be Resolute to live there because it is nothing in the middle of nowhere!). We actually got stranded on one occasion due to winter storms - there have been several fatal crashes at that gravel airstrip which is directly above the frozen Arctic Ocean. It was an adventure of a lifetime when I went up there and I will never forget it. Most Canadians have never been North of 60 degrees, beyond which lies more than half of the country! The Last Frontier.

[@jakelivni9576]

I thought the northernmost settlement was Barrow, Alaska. You learn something new every day.

[@waynereardon6826]

@@jakelivni9576 Many Canadian villages further north than Barrow. I was attach posted to Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert (NWT) in October 68 from CFS Inuvik (NWT) and flew by Herc for my 6 month tour of duty at the world's most northerly inhabited military facility. During my tour I got to fly to USAF Base Thule Greenland for a day during Operation Boxtop, also on a Herc. Second greatest plane ever made after the Dakota. Never went back to the Arctic after those six months in Alert as I was posted to a destroyer and spent most of the rest of my 26 year Navy career at sea.

[@gisellebryan6457]

Also wonderful caption of a black plane on a white runway that look beautiful ✈️✈️✈️✈️

[@fireflyrobert]

As a retired airline pilot my favourite jet will always be the B737-200 but I never landed on gravel! You cannot beat those target type thrust reversers for stopping on landing - bags of aerodynamic drag the instant you crack them open. What a smart professional crew - Sam this was a fab video.

[@mambagr]

If you ever landed on soft snow its similar.

[@manifestgtr]

Those older jt8d engines had a sound that will never be duplicated. It’s a really nostalgic sound for me…

[@TheRareVideosXL]

Canada is an amazing country. What a great adventure. Keep it up.

[@sayyamzahid505]

Hanif Qureshi 2013 Sajid passed he was Qureshi too . Pak

[@sarabsawhney]

737-200 was a plane and a half built by Boeing. Will always be my favourite aircraft with those JT8Ds thundering sound. That was aviation raw and lots of skill needed.

[@captboul9018]

As an airline pilot for major Canadian company I had the chance in the early stage of my carreer to fly in northern artic Canada, lots of memories came back about that harsh place ! But love it! When the north enter your soul it is imposible to get rid of it!

[@maxenceleboeuf]

I love the pilots switching to French sometimes... I'm from Montreal, so it's nice to see you Sam at our airport!

[@andrewnewman6510]

Worked there for over 3 years. Flew with them many times. It was a great experience. Those old plane certainly were are work horse.

[@anantgautam2485]

Here in India we have soldiers deployed at Siachen glacier at 18000 feet where temperature goes to -50C in the winters.Kudos to all such people defying mother nature to keep things working.

[@shanemyers4142]

Why can't planes be like that still. Classics like the 200 are a true airplane. No character anymore. Just screens.

[@Cargospotter]

Your classic aviation videos are top-notch. Just like your B727-200 video from Somalia a few weeks ago this one is amazing again. "Matblack" also an amazing callsign for the Black B732 :D

[@waryaawariiri1812]

I hope Sam now goes to 'hottest' airport in the Sahara desert. That will complete his aviation vlogs.

[@sayyamzahid505]

Melbourne Australia deport deceased tooba

[@darrenfike924]

I wish Pratt and whitney could build a modern geared jt8d for 737-200

[@junebug8882]

You felt cold like a little Asian boy outside... 😭😭

[@jenniferglenn14]

I see you catch Cargo flights. That’s awesome :) Do you by chance have any videos on your channel of Evergreen International Airlines? My dad is retired now, but he used to fly for them for 20 years, so I’ve been trying to put together a compilation for him. Was able to find some videos of the 747 he flew, but not many :(

[@mmeduplechin1577]

WOW! Just wow! That flight was off-the-charts. Going that far north & landing on a gravel runway is amazing. You've outdone yourself with this one. Plus, you had a respite in the mining camp with all that great accommodation. I thought the airport in Dawson City with the winds, gravel runway and mountain face was exciting. By the way, the pilots were so collected with all the conditions. That description of the runway and wind was delivered in such a matter-of-fact tone; I replayed that part several times to make sure I heard it correctly. Roll on, Sam Chui. My day's feeling better already.

[@sayyamzahid505]

Rn

[@nagasako7]

That Canadian mine must been big deal for it to have it's own Airport and own charter.

[@erictremblay4940]

@@nagasako7 All those mines in the north have their owns airstrips. As there is no roads whatsoever. FWIW, Chrono Aviation is not owned by a mine but is an independant carrier based in the south shore of Montréal - St-Hubert (YHU).

[@sduoqsoq7478]

@@erictremblay4940 yup, that 737 200 is so loud tho, wakes up my cat every night

[@Aryan-vn3ls]

Such an interactive and amazing First officer JC is . Keep flying higher n higher !!!❤

[@BJ-fm8fx]

I was just thinking about how the aircraft would navigate being so close to the magnetic north when Sam answered my question. Just perfect !

[@Young_rich_king]

Nolinor Aviation does haaammmm flights to the Arctic too 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@fly_w_tony]

This is the first time I've seen a bird painted so black. Thank you for letting me see this wonderful plane.!!!!

[@hoosiercrypto9955]

Congrats to the young first officer.. Live your dreams 🙂

[@Aviation_Racing]

This is just a legendary airplane. Look how much they improved the 737s

[@viewers87]

i love that sound when the engine roaring during take off.. there is no commercial airline in my country still operate this 737-200 but the military still keep some of it and i love when they pass over my house, that sound give me eargasm

[@kam_a3216]

What a beautiful aircraft. Talented flight crew. Congratulations to both of them . You will be able to fly the Airbus one day with your eyes closed :)

[@sayyamzahid505]

.

[@patton303]

They’re flying THE classic B-737-200. You have to actually FLY that aircraft. Unlike an Airbus.

[@PixeAir]

Damn airbus. They literally ruined aviation

[@communityworshipcentre9102]

Haha 😂

[@erictremblay4940]

Between Boeing and Airbus, only the old 737-200 can be fitted with a gravel kit. (With today's certification standards, not sure that even this 737-200 with gravel kit could be certified) Chrono definitely has a great kwowledge with this aircraft with gravel kits.

[@hitherebyenow]

I have actually worked up at Mary River for about 7 months, pretty neat to show your friends and family how you get to work, thanks for that Sam!

[@qcforever5]

How do you like it there?

[@syncmaster915n]

May i ask what do they mine there?

[@hitherebyenow]

@@syncmaster915n iron ore

[@hitherebyenow]

@@qcforever5 It’s okay, good people to work alongside, that’s all I’m going to say.

[@syncmaster915n]

@@hitherebyenow great thanks!

[@Hyperslaylor]

Well, This is the best expendition for me, because this is b737-200 in Canada, YEA!!!!!!😎😉

[@MrWhiterunGuard]

You can tell the co-pilot loves what he does.

[@francisbabeu7092]

I live near St-Hubert airport (yhu) and, from my house, I see the Chrono 737-200 take-off every day. And during the time I watch this video, a Chrono 737 take-off at this time😁

[@legotechniccreationsbygisu7487]

You ate so lucky It has to sound so great

[@erictremblay4940]

Mais ils ne sont pas très silencieux...😉

[@francisbabeu7092]

@@erictremblay4940 surtout quand il décolle la nuit à 2h00😴

[@shanegagnon3423]

@@francisbabeu7092 on s'en torche, y sont malade les gars de faire ca pour nos mineurs dans le grand nord. Vos petits conforts sont facile, mettez des bouchons ... Quoique moi entendre ca pendant que j'dors me fais encore plus rêver :D

[@francisbabeu7092]

@@shanegagnon3423 est-ce que j'ai dit que ça me dérangeait? J'ai acheté une maison près de l'aéroport en pleine connaissance de cause. Au contraire, j'adore voir les avion décoller et atterrir.

[@supericeman1]

Flying a 737 classic in 2022 what a treat, thanks for sharing!

[@MaverickEchoJuliet]

Awesome..the B732 is such a robust machine. Impressive👍🏾

[@chrischolewa9104]

Kudos to the Flight Crew-Chrono Aviation-they earn their paycheque everyday ! This is no ordinary flight crew task ! Arctic travel by plane is exceptional ! Thanks for sharing this journey ! God bless the crew !

[@chronoaviation5089]

Thank you. We're also proud of the whole team.

[@SebastienPhotoVideo]

So fun to watch a Sam Chui video about Canada, In Canada wrapped in a blanket not doing anything because it just snowed 30 centimetres (1 foot) in the last couple of days. I hope you come back again!!

[@Skynet-1]

Great flight crew! Love the call sign of the plane. Had to laugh when all the locals say it's not that cold... Burrrr...... ✈✈✈👍👍👍

[@kilroy4843]

-30 aint that bad. Once you hit -40 you just dont keep feeling a difference from there. Worst ive had to deal with was -65f with winds 40 gusting 60mph while overwing fueling a lear 35 with tip tanks.

[@sayyamzahid505]

Chris Kyle died in the battle rip Massachusetts

[@sayyamzahid505]

@@kilroy4843 agreed

[@AdelHaiba78]

I just love this Legendary B737-200, beautiful airplane

[@davidca96]

Pretty cool how the Canucks are keeping these 737-200's flying, love it. Oh and that stewardess is beautiful!

[@greyjay9202]

What a beautiful aircraft. The 737-200 is superbly suited for the work it does. A marvel of design and engineering. What makes an aircraft of this type, obsolete? Nothing, in my opinion.

[@B52Stratofortress1]

It costs more money to operate and to maintain due to its age, and the JT8D engines fuel consumption isn't optimal. Given the unique gravel strip capabilities of the 737-200, these would be an acceptable trade off, however the longer these aircraft fly the more wear and tear the airframes get. There is a limit to how many flight hours and pressurization cycles an individual aircraft can safely operate. And there aren't really any low flight time 737-200s left in the world to replace them with. Once the existing fleet is worn out, they'll be retired.

[@rinaldihelmi8772]

Old but Gold. I like it. 👍👍👍

[@ashy5854]

How cool both the captains are!

[@davidspez7267]

Incredible experience that will forever stay in your mind and heart. Wonderful! Thank you Sam 🙏👍

[@GregCurtin45]

Possibly the coolest (no pun intended) video ever made. Thanks for sharing a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

[@Jalalkazim110]

Now this we can say a chilling video Sam. First Officer looks like a Boy at first glance. But both the Pilot seems like a pro team.

[@DanTheCaptain]

I worked for the FBO in Iqaluit for about 10 months through 2020, and it was one of the most unique and best experiences of my life. I always saw these beautiful jets fly in and out at all times of the day and night. Iqaluit is really small and built on the side of cliffs, so you can hear airport activity throughout the entire city. You’d here them takeoff at like 3am and wake up, have a mini avgeek freak out and then fall back asleep. It’s cool to see footage of Mary River because you here a lot about the place but there are so few picture of it on the internet!

[@gw78787]

Sam again another AWESOME video! I think I want your job! Lol! That first officer has the best job in the world right there!

[@stefanunterwegs4419]

Sam, outstanding what you find over the whole planet! Thanks for taking me with you!!!

[@shiloh6809]

Awesome video! I was surprised to see Chris the captain, he was one of my flight instructors 15 years ago! Nice to see him flying for Chrono.

[@aiqbal02]

Small world!

[@ekjas_siket]

Glad to see young pilot that still can fly analog

[@TeemarkConvair]

outstanding. its GREAT to see the 39 year old baby Boeing STILL performing its designed role, and under the harshest of conditions! One has to wonder how many cycles it has endured. I see Chronr has 4 9f 5 73's and 1 Dash 8 working the Great White.. Congrats!

[@jessemillington5988]

This is the nicest 737-200 left flying. Very beautiful!

[@charlesmakuwaza5584]

These pilots make a great team,loved the video Sam Thank you

[@theart8039]

Concentration when landing on the gravel runway with young pilot was amazing! and hes maybe only a few years older than me!

[@pirate3599]

I did 1500 hours on gravel 737-200, this is a great video

[@asleepawake3645]

Wow airlines and the people running it in the harsh arctic circle are absolute stars. Kudos to the Ice Pilots, awesome coverage Sam!

[@icare7151]

The flight crew are heroes in my book! Thank you for another awesome video, well done!

[@rikisurio2431]

Beautiful B732. with black bold livery. Great cockpit. Awesome.

[@user-dc2wx4qr1q]

素晴らしい映像、ありがとうございます✈️

[@Bunny-ez3ec]

Sam you are a special person I could never fly around the world in different planes

[@voyage.clicks]

One of the best flight video👍

[@markchris180]

Amazing video 👌👌

[@anzeg-]

The black paint scheme looks incredible, what a gorgeous plane

[@honestdelivery]

Amazing video and those two pilots were top-notch. The younger guy looked too young to fly, but it was amazing to see he landed the plane on the gravel. Excellent work to the young man. Really great to see an older plane fly like that. Great stuff. Thanks again Sam.

[@mrkc10]

Awesome old school 737! Another great video Sam.

[@TheFlightLevel]

Great insight with all the logistics! That was a very different flight for you. Welcome to our Canadian temperatures up North!

[@irdataman]

Watching this was incredible! Brought back so many memories of my days on a NKC-135. Exhilarating!!!! Oh the Arctic!

[@pleka6569]

I really enjoyed this video, its an extreme flight in the cold, and very skillful pilots, seeing JC landing the plane was really awesome, the call sign Matblack is great.

[@neel1901]

I am really enjoying this type of content from sam

[@nguyenminhtuannguyen1701]

thank you for sharing this Sam loved it is the best AV GEEK CONTENT EVER BASICALLY I LIKED THE CANADIAN NATURE LIKE BAFF

[@vuyanindaba4342]

Thanks for bringing us your experiences across the world.

[@Eyeofabird7]

The Boeing 737-200 is never gets old ! What a wonderful plane ❤

[@JeffBreyer]

There have been short videos on these 200s before but this takes it to another level. Thanks for doing this, Sam.

[@johnnybugattisr.9558]

Thanks to Sam and the crew of chrono aviation for bringing us along.

[@Alcenes]

You're welcome :)

[@martinr5922]

Spectacular. Great footage, Sam (and my commiserations for the cold - brrrh) & great crew. The 737-200 was the first ever jet I flew on as kid.

[@tjmcguire9417]

Sam. Old Canadian lad here. I have watched your channel from time to time. Flights like this are SO much more interesting to see than 1st class flights from Abu D or some such. Maybe hookup witt the guys from Buffalo Air. You just showed chutzpah. Keep it up!!!! Getting out of ones 'comfort zone' is a good thing. And. The Black Horse. Beautiful. With supremely confident and cool young bucks at the helm. Awesome.

[@michelb01]

for all Avgeek out there, matblack took off from CYHU (St-Hubert airport) and not CYUL (Montreal, Qc), But Welcome back any time @ sam Chui

[@-Guru]

Amazing video. I was feeling cold looking at Sam. Living in Canada, I have experienced extreme cold with wind chill and gust. Kudos to the people who are working in those extreme conditions.

[@sayyamzahid505]

Yuko zuna died Liverpool instead of Vientiane.

[@Paul-kw1og]

Very enjoyable watching the old -200 wearing snow boots.

[@keimahane]

What an adventure. Crazy what these pilots / ground crews are doing all over the world.

[@brocklin000]

Sam does it all - nice slant on aviation that most never get to see nor certainly experience. Brought back memories of my time spent in Alaska when I was in the USAF - COLD - but the Summers were fine. Tougher on Sam given he is from much warmer climes.

[@OT-io9wk]

Thanks Sam!! You treat people with kindness and approach situations with adventure, I always enjoy your videos bro :)

[@barryinkpen6026]

This was a cool one for sure. In one of my former lives I was a simulator tech on a 737-200 so I know the aircraft very well. They were real work horses and super engineered. In another former life I worked in the arctic and made many flights up there including on the 737-200 with the gravel kit on gravel runways. It always amazed me to what was a modern jet back then, land on gravel.

[@mundlkalli4396]

great plane....great video.....these two pilots are just incredible !!!! First officer looks like he just graduated from high school......BY NO MEANS IS THAT AN INSULT OR DISRESPECT....I am just super impressed....wow thank you for another great video !!!

[@worldspottingexhibit]

Now this is an experience

[@radhanortham9687]

One of best flight journey videos. Some good technical details to know. Good one Sam 👍👏

[@christopherdaniel4841]

So, it's not all glitz and glamour. Very interesting. Thanks for covering these vital aviation routes.

[@MRK3061]

Sam, it was great meeting you. As promised I just watched this video and I think it is amazing! This trip was full of adventures, flying a gorgeous and perfect vintage 737 with a fantastic crew, experiencing -30C weather, landing a jet on gravel plus visiting the Arctic! How lucky can you be! Now I am subscriber and will watch anything you publish. Thank you and keep it up!

[@davko777]

My goodness! What a great video and an awesome experience Sam! Thanks for taking us on the journey.

[@avionavion1000]

You are in my city. I first learned to fly at CYHU. Amazing video

[@EBaker0129]

Those avionics should be in a museum.

[@charterd]

The aircraft looks stunning it's a black beauty.