Ice Pilots of Buffalo Airways - Raw Aviation in Northern Canada

It's the wild wild West in Northern Canada. The 1940s made Curtiss C-46 Commando, the world's last flying Lockheed Electra and other classic planes are still flying every day to deliver vital supplies to remote communities. I joined Mikey McBryan at Buffalo Airways to discover their unique operation.
Pilots at Buffalo Airways need to roll up their sleeves, not only flying the plane but also loading cargo, refueling and servicing these classic airplanes. It is a full day of action following what these "ice pilots" do there.
At the end of the video, pilots talk about the harsh and unique winter operation. It is extreme flying!

[@MikeyMcBryan]

Thanks for spending an awesome couple days with us Sam!!!

[@ClearedAsFiled]

Mikey, I sure miss your TV series.....if I were 40 yrs younger, I would work for Buffalo for sure......watching ALL the Ice Pilots episodes to make it through the summer months!

[@ozairakhtarcom]

You people are doing the best job in the world.

[@Traineddummy]

@Mikey McBryan. Time for an update on the 737.

[@nostalgio697]

I subscribed to your channel, it's awesome 👍

[@davew5383]

I have been enjoying watching "Ice Pilots" tv show episodes on KZbin and after finding your KZbin channel a few months ago Mikey, I have been really enjoying your videos, it's always great to see that you and "Buffalo Airways" are still working hard and doing well👍🙂

[@philnaegely]

ice pilots was a great show; glad to see buffalo air is still in operation

[@quasarsavage]

@Don Smith do their planes even have transponders lol and if they do maybe they don't have to turn them on (at least not publicly)

[@Subgunman]

If you follow Flightradar24 you can sometimes catch a Buffalo flight heading towards the north or returning to Yellowknife. Just type in "Yellowknife" in the search screen. I caught a flight a couple of weeks ago while checking on a whim. Happened to go east from watching cargo flights into Alaska ( they have a major hub up there for cargo in Anchorage, Kalitta Air, Atlas, Korean Air Cargo, UPS, Fed Ex etc. ) and found one flight out from Yellowknife that was a Buffalo flight.

[@lanfrancopignoli5553]

I can't believe the C-46 is still in service. What a plane!

[@alimtimm7355]

Wow! I thought all of these were scrapped or in museums. Apparently not. It’s always great to see these old birds flying in the era of guided missiles and cell phones!!!!!!!

[@lordadmiralgoose7074]

C-46 Pilot here Sam! I am part of a Veteran group in Charlotte North Carolina, we have a C-46, her name is Tinker Belle and until you made this video my group and I were convinced that Buffalo Joe were done flying their's. Besides Buffalo, only Warriors and Warbirds (my group) and Everts Air Cargo still flew the mighty C-46. If you are ever in North Carolina we could let you get a chance to check out the last flying C-46 in WWII colors, thanks for a fantastic video!

[@Alorio-Gori]

👏 👏

[@robjnixon]

Old, old school 💛 loved this Sam, the scenery is just breathtaking. Keep living your dream!

[@Unknown_Ooh]

I love the perspective pilots start as ground crew and work their way up through the ranks. It's a fair exchange for pilot training and you get to learn lessons most student pilots don't learn.

[@Justapilot77]

Sadly the compagny don't pay for the training (except the type rating on the aircraft) Its a common thing in Canada to work on the ramp and get a right seat job after 1-2 years. Usually pilots already have they licenses before working on the ramp.

[@yakuzajzs5291]

Justin is correct. Most of these pilot in waiting jobs require a cpl, 250 hours TT, multi-ifr and iatra written. You do however get your PPC or type rating through the company

[@thathawayaerialphotos]

Unless you fly gliders!

[@therickman1990]

These guys that start out at Buffalo on the ramp are already certified pilots but they have to prove they can handle the working conditions to be able to fly those old planes through freezing hell

[@coviron21]

no its not, its fucking slavery and one of the reason pilots in canada make dogshit pay

[@suzannec4765]

Thrilled you got to go to Yellowknife and Buffalo to show us real pilots and real planes. Have just discovered Ice Pilots, and am absolutely addicted to it.

[@TraveldenganDon]

These videos, about flying on the older planes are so much better than the First Class / Business Class reviews on the modern airliners I have watched many, many of Sam's flight vids. But this is the most amazing flight ever. The scenery! The suspense! The pilots' skill! Simply wonderful..

[@wstrat3623]

It's impossible you have seen it all yet...

[@thorr6877]

You been to the northpole? Saw ur video

[@walt8089]

My Mom worked at Curtiss Wright in Louisville, KY during WWII before I was born helping build the C-46 Commando. Huge tail dragger cargo bird ! Thanks Sam, Love the Video !

[@cfairfull8030]

Hey! I was up in Red Deer doing my flight training with cadets over the summer. That Electra that landed came from Red Deer! I have photos of XFC sitting in front of the Cessnas we were flying out of there. How cool!

[@oldmandoingstuff8997]

SAM,. The logistic Expense to just get to Buffalo A. Want to thank for a realitve recent update on BA. Your part of History just filming planes older than my 65 years old. Keep up Good work. We're Proud of U

[@sanyfalkenberg4986]

I'm a huge fan of the Ice Pilots so to see these guys again it's amazing. Thank you so much for that incredible video Sam ☺️ I really appreciate it

[@miketate3788]

As his first aviation job, my son was a rampie with an airline out of Red Lake in Northern Ontario. At the same time he flew in and out of Indigenous communities which continued for three years. He then went to Porter, which he loved as we did. What a great organization. He worked his way up to captain with them and then was hired recently by Air Canada as a 32 year old. He flies the A319 and A320. If it wasn’t for his start in the far north, I doubt he would be where he is now.

[@jayrap94]

This was an absolute joy to watch! The Buffalo Airways employees must have formed such a close brotherhood flying what they fly in such extreme weather!

[@scottwhitmire6613]

Buff is COOL. Keep the classics flying Mike. Best to you Scott 🏁

[@professorr.5427]

Commendations to those gritty guys who fuel, load and fly Buffalo planes! 🏆 Aviators to the core.

[@romeoramos6650]

I'm really glad to see that younger generation are still showing big interest to fly this museum caliber aircraft or atleast should be on museum. Big shout out to the Buffalo people from top to bottom Joe's dedication is unreal. Thanks for this Sam, showing it on diff. perspective. ( oh by the way that mechanic 6:29 wearing a green hat, with what looks like a Philippine flag) Nice hat. Sam you should really do a short segment on the winter season operations.

[@kpdarlie4535]

I always wished someone did a follow up these guys, wished that they never stopped filming!!! Thanks Sam for this episode!!!

[@DJAUDIO1]

It's so great to see Mikey and Buffalo still doing their thing in 2022.

[@eknowledge7309]

I don't know why i am obsessed with older aircrafts. Love to see them flying. Lockheed L10,DC-3 DC-8,9,707,737-100-200-300,MD11 and many others.

[@pukihai]

Bringing back memories I use to work for a cargo companies here in Hawaii which actually flew these planes DC3, 4, 6, Electra, YS-11 …loved working on them

[@bobuncle8704]

Hey Sam. Thanks for going to Buffalo Air. I think it was several months ago I asked if you’d ever think of going there. I sure enjoyed seeing these guys again. I already follow Mikey. As a fellow Canadian, I’m mighty proud of these guys.

[@The_Music_Sanctuary]

I lived in Yellowknife for 6 years, it was nice seeing Mikey and Joe. I hope you enjoyed your time in Canada's Arctic, beautiful country way up there.

[@andrewouma3230]

i always like the analog cockpits.dont know if am alone or what.just makes a pilot active and his/her brain creative

[@jenniferholtzman2758]

These guys do every single thing themselves. From flying to maintenance to loading, it’s very cool

[@patagonia_1963]

That's why I'm a huge fan of this channel. Sam truly loves aviation and he deserves every extra luxury super vip all star first class he gets, becasuse he don't hesitate to jump in any kind of beautyful old school planes that still exists around the world

[@Videospotter]

These planes in northern canada from Buffalo etc. are so amazing. Thanks for this fantastic Video! Cheers from Germany 😃🤙

[@Simone-YT]

The Collab we all wanted!

[@deetothajizzle]

The Electra captain was a treat towards the end. Proud Canadian here from CYXU.

[@rajatanpacelana]

That is crazy and that I am so amazed that the planes are still flying... Love it...

[@fgaviator]

"Alright, anything special on our load manifest today?" "No, just the usual stuff. Light load today, a couple of tons - of explosives..." 👀😲

[@garyhogan7881]

Good episode Sam. I’m a Buffalo fan, been watching them for years.

[@van84agon]

Great to see a different perspective of this iconic Canadian airline, always nice to see these old planes, no DC-3 or DC-6 flying at the time? they are half the reason for visiting Buffalo! thanks Sam!

[@2610Someone]

They never flew DC-6s afaik, and the DC-4s have been replaced by the Electras.

[@SamChui]

The Buffalo DC-3 is coming back to service shortly after an engine change. Everts fly the DC-6 in Alaska though Buffalo has a swing tail DC-6 parked in Hay River

[@danielobanla5466]

DC 3, DC 4, C46 and Lockheed electra are the main planes used by buffalo. With a couple of Cl2-15. They just got 737-200 recently also

[@CourageTheCowardlyDog266]

@@danielobanla5466 The DC4s have been retired for nearly 10 years, and the 737 is a 300, not. A 200

[@danielobanla5466]

@@CourageTheCowardlyDog266 ohhhh Thanks for the update

[@paulor9577]

I follow the ice pilots on tv and watched all the seasons! They're unique!

[@TheSlider535]

Good to see William in the Right Seat of the Electra, moving up !!

[@alexmguimaraes9399]

I LOVE THIS WORLD OF AVIATION! AND MUCH MORE PROPELLER AVIATION! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE EMPLOYEES OF THIS AMAZING BUFFALO AIRLINE COMPANY! ALEX - RECIFE BRAZIL

[@daverobinsonTnT]

Wow, nice to see William on Sam’s channel 👍 Some of my all time favourite aviation people, Mikey, Sam, William and the Buffalo crew 👏 Cheers Sam for visiting and for sharing 😊

[@ggtwinschanel]

Hello friends let's share the fun greetings from Indonesian 🇲🇨🤗🤗

[@GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff496]

Excellent video ✈️👍😎!! Back in the ‘70s, I was plane spotting as a teenager in Dorval and I took a photo of a C46 on approach to 06R. I had no idea what that bird was at the time … it looked pretty exotic compared to DC-8’s and 707’s! Well done Sam. PS: I had the pleasure of meeting Mikey at St Hubert for DTD’s first flight … a capital guy!

[@HamayoonKhanOfficial]

Thank You Sam - 👍❤

[@Eh_Siala_productions]

Hey Sam! Nice video and seeing old school pure flying really has brings me back memories of ice pilots and happy to see some faces of ice pilots still at buffalo such as clif,Justin and mikey and joe

[@drdoolittle5724]

Excellent Sam, thank you for igniting our love of Mikey McBrian again - nice to see the Guy who followed him all the way from the Dak over out East being got flying again, still working at Buffalo!

[@asasdopedal]

Amazing Sam being with Buffalo and Mickey legend

[@kristofyyz9525]

My two favourite aviation channels/programs combined!!

[@jojobas547]

Its great to see the C-46 still up and running.

[@davew5383]

Don't hang around there too long Sam, or "Buffalo Joe" will have you working the ramp and loading his planes😉 "Ice Pilots" is one of my favorite tv shows, it's great to see the Buffalo Airways operation from your perspective and with a behind the scenes view👍🙂 I am suspecting that You and Mikey will be great friends👍🙂 I am already subscribed to Mikey's KZbin channel, after finding it a few months ago👍🙂

[@wernermoura7326]

These guys are the best...I watch the episodes whenever I can...it was nice to see you with these guys Sam...Mikey is the best.

[@galimabu8878]

Love these guys keeping history alive, and enjoying what they do best. Cheers champs

[@karenwolf5266]

I have loved your AV videos for years but I’m just completely astounded to see this. I’ve watched Ice Road Truckers for a long time but this is so next level. I grew up in one of the highest points in the Appalachian mountains in Maryland there was and my father plowed snow on top of that mountain for almost 50 years.

[@coldisle]

Sam, I’ve watched you fly all over the world in ridiculous luxury, but it doesn’t get ANY better than Buffalo Air…..and hanging out with the beloved Mikey McBryan! Great job!

[@AlexandEmpire]

Buffalo airways used to have a show called ice pilots if I remember correctly

[@arshad8170]

These planes are the lifeline of supplies for this region. Thanks for making another interesting video, Sam.

[@jdg5022]

Stunning old ladies, amazing pilots/crew, and great video. Thank you, Sam.

[@Onemattressatatime]

Old school loved this program, watched it several times

[@logandoll6407]

omg man! i live in yellowknife and it's such a wonderful place, with such awesome aviation history. Buffalo is so cool.

[@erickomondioginga3183]

This is really inspiring what Bufallo airways I doing in north Canada with these harsh conditions to keep up the supply chain and the region vibrant. I'd really love to be part of the team someday. surely they could just some muscles .

[@jaimemariovillaescusa81]

Super awesome ! Thanks for showing love to the Canadian Northern Aviation Sam ! Hard workings folks up there 😊

[@Steve-xf4uv]

Great video Sam. You gotta love these guys, they work so hard and then winter hits and they work harder !!

[@DoomTrooperTV]

I just started watching Ice Pilots NWT. It's amazing to see how much more enthusiastic Mikey is these days! Still a big boy, but seems so much more mentally healthier!

[@sam.8165]

You always find the most unique and extravagant aircraft! Great content!

[@TrailWalker03]

Thanks for producing / posting. Great to see Buffalo is thriving.

[@mck5549]

Buffalo air is amazing. Thanks for the views Sam

[@djbuckeye1417]

Loved watching this vlog. I still enjoy watching the old episodes of Ice Pilots shown on cable. I saw a few characters from the old shows. But it would have been nice to see Mikey's dad, too.

[@rohitsatish_46560]

It is absolutely amazing to see the hustle and work put in by pilots to get cargo and essentials to communities up north. Great stuff

[@randybarnes7050]

Really great episode, Sam. Those guys up there are true aviators.

[@danielyao1324]

I have been waiting for this!! Thank you Sam!!

[@icare7151]

Get buffed 💪 Buffalo, we do the heavy lifting.

[@GeorgeFoxCinematography]

Amazing c46! Great video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@israelelisha8992]

These rural pilots are the real deal. They do everything!

[@kashifmoz]

Amazing visuals & excellent footage sam . You took us back in 50’s era . Keep up the good work bro.

[@Harvfam4]

Too cool, thanks for the awesome video Sam.

[@fly_w_tony]

Your adventures seem to have no end. I also had a lot of fun watching this video!!!

[@ludmilamudrikova]

The real aviation...no computers no autopilots just you and your skills...amazing video👍❤

[@martinpilat1]

Another great episode, Sam! Thank you.

[@supericeman1]

Wow Sam, you have done it again, another unique video, thanks for sharing your adventures with us, I wish you the best and your mom get better soon!

[@Lloyd2605]

Awesome video Sam. Buffalo airways are legends. Loved that I could see more of them.!

[@MegaSukhoy]

WOW!!! fantastic thanks Sam for share this wonderfull experience .

[@dilipnuwan4170]

Thank you very much for showing these places

[@patrickkonig]

Such a beautiful aircraft. Thank you for sharing Mr Chui. Safe air travel.

[@sshinzo6504]

Probably the best job in the world

[@lyradm1]

Right on Sane. Old school is just as important as the new planes.

[@warnerhsieh2649]

12:03 I like how the captain opens the window casually after touchdown for cool air XD

[@sneaks01]

Great work!! It’s so nice to see some familiar faces still with Buffalo!

[@chm985]

I was such a huge fan of the ice pilots tv show. So glad you went up there to see it!

[@LEMMYLEMON]

I have been waiting so long for this video thank you so much Sam!

[@songcheng7668]

I am so glad that two of favorite shows meet together! Great job, Sam.👍👍👍

[@ergarcia96]

Old is Gold, great vid cheers 👌🏻

[@RSfandude]

Love that fuel truck!

[@GuillermoGomezGG1959]

Wow !! Sam I’ve been following you since your Transpolar flight on AR. This video is EPIC !! Mike and his DAD are Aviation Royals !!!!

[@krikat3485]

Excellent video, Sam! Really interesting and informative.

[@timdeegan6730]

Plane savers on youtube is GREAT But this is fantastic WE ALL MISS NEW episodes of PLANE SAVERS But this helps

[@Rockujjwal01]

Now this is the content i love to see ❤️

[@ClearedAsFiled]

Thank you Sam......for this video. ....Missing Ice Pilots show. ..

[@kennethgrindrod6438]

Great video watched a lot of ice pilots over the years and with your passion for aviation Sam made it great to watch.

[@TeemarkConvair]

so great to see mikey and the crews

[@symontabbenor2186]

The best video I have ever seen in YT. Great to see the real behind the scenes at Buffalo. Thank you

[@PoweredEvents]

One of your best yet!

[@oregon0016]

Wow! My dad was just in Yellowknife because he flies for NetJets and he got me a hat!

[@RailsandSky]

That is real flying. Thoroughly enjoyed that.

[@charliebowman785]

What a wonderful job in which, ones goof anything and that could be the last.....as in any other activity within aviation. What happens here is that margin of error is so narrow. I've worked as a bush pilot and that is another adventure as well as a proud NAVY pilot. Kudos for Buffalo team and Sam as well.