Ep 3. Deadly Cargo

In Ice Pilots's season 1 episode 3, entitled Deadly Cargo, the team at Buffalo Airways takes on some of their most challenging cargo yet. Led by the charismatic and adventurous owner, Joe McBryan, the crew initiates transports for heavy and often dangerous materials across Northern Canada.

The episode opens with Joe revealing that his team will be responsible for transporting of one of the heaviest and most complex cargo pieces they have ever taken on-- an enormous Sikorsky S-43 Amphibious flying boat. Despite being retired for years, the plane is known as a valuable antique piece worth millions of dollars. It has been bought by a museum in Canada and has to be moved from Florida to its new home. The option of transporting it by land is ruled out due to the possibility of damaging the aircraft, and the only other option is through the air.

Joe then assigns the crew members their roles for this complex mission. Captain Arnie Schreder is selected to fly the aircraft, with newcomer pilot Justin Simle joining him in the cockpit. Scott Blue is in charge of the critical task of loading and tying the plane into the DC3 cargo hold. Meanwhile, AJ, the skilled veteran, handles the logistics and communication aspect of the mission.

The team's first assignment is to fly to Florida, the current location of the S-43. The plane has already been dismantled and stowed away in massive crates for transportation. Loading such a precious and antique aircraft requires precision and patience, and every member of the team has to work together carefully. The team is aware of the high risk involved in this mission, but they are confident in their abilities to handle such high-pressure situations.

As the crew begins the task of loading the aircraft onto the DC3 cargo hold, things don't go as planned. The first obstacle they encounter is the weight of the Sikorsky. It is the most massive cargo they have ever transported, and the DC3 cargo hold can barely hold it, meaning they need to conduct some last-minute adjustments to ensure safety. Secondly, the DC3 has a limited weight capacity that needs strict adherence. The Jet engines, nacelles, and the tail will have to be flown in separately, and every pound of weight must be accounted for. With some quick thinking and maneuvering, the team adjusts and overcomes the challenges, ultimately rendering the loading successful.

The most significant challenge for the team, however, lies beneath them; the treacherous weather conditions typical of their destination pose a considerable threat to the transportation of the valuable cargo. The crew is aware that the harsh weather patterns in this region can wreak havoc, making navigation hard, and buffeting the plane around. Joe informs the team of the severe turbulence on the flight path compared to previous years, as the weather pattern has been extremely unpredictable.

Despite the risks, the team goes ahead with the mission, with Captain Arnie at the helm of the DC3 and new pilot Justin Simle as his co-pilot. The first parts of the journey go relatively smoothly until they approach the part of the mission that involves flying over Hudson Bay, notorious for its unpredictable weather patterns. The crew is now on high alert as they navigate through the storms, trying their best to avoid all the hurdles they meet en route. The weather forecasts in this region can turn in a minute, and the experienced pilots need to make informed decisions at every moment.

Nearing the end of the journey, the team encounters a new problem when water appears on the main deck of the DC3. AJ experiences a similar cargo transporting disaster, which leaves him at a loss and forced to look to veteran dispatcher Chuck for help. However, it turns out that the water is coming from a faulty cargo door, and the team can quickly solve the issue.

The team ultimately lands safely with the Sikorsky S-43 in tow, and the cargo is transported successfully to the museum's chosen destination. This achievement is a testament to the skill and expertise of the team, especially the pilots, who were able to navigate through the toughest weather patterns and safely transport one of the most valuable cargoes the team have ever transported.

The episode comes to a close with Joe expressing his gratitude and relief and these attributes from all involved in the successful transportation of the prized Sikorsky. They all worked together and overcame the harsh weather, technical difficulties and successfully transported the invaluable cargo, marking a significant success by every member of the team.