Ep 5. Danger Below Zero

During the first season of "Ice Pilots," the fifth episode titled "Danger Below Zero" follows the exploits of a group of pilots from the Yellowknife-based Buffalo Airways. This episode focuses on the challenges and rewards of flying in frigid conditions and the tough-as-nails pilots who brave the ice to ensure that cargo and passengers reach their destination safely.

The episode opens with Buffalo Airways President Joe McBryan assessing a recent ice storm that has blanketed Yellowknife with snow and ice. With all flights grounded and a queue of passengers building up, Joe knows that it's up to his team of pilots to brave the conditions and clear the backlog of flights.

The first task is to de-ice all the planes. This involves spraying the planes with a combination of hot water and de-icing fluid to melt the ice and snow. Despite the challenging conditions, the Buffalo Airways team works quickly and efficiently to get the planes cleared for take-off.

Next up is a flight to the remote community of Gameti, located on the edge of Great Slave Lake. Daughter of the famous bush pilot Wilf Wright, Kyla Wright, is flying a newly crafted ancient Inuit fishing tackle, an Atlatl, to the community.

After landing on the frozen lake and unloading the cargo, Kyla decides to stay the night in Gameti, as the weather is threatening her path to Yellowknife. However, as the sun sets, the temperatures drop, and the weather takes a turn for the worse, things quickly go from bad to worse for Kyla as danger looms below zero.

Back at Yellowknife, pilot Scott Blue is preparing for one of his most challenging flights yet. He is tasked with delivering a critical piece of equipment to a drilling site deep in the frozen wilderness of northern Canada. However, with a storm approaching, Scott knows that he will have to fly low and slow to avoid the worst of the weather.

Despite the harsh conditions and low visibility, Scott manages to navigate his way through the snow and ice to reach the drill site. On the return journey, however, the weather takes a turn for the worse. With his fuel running low and his visibility reduced to near zero, Scott faces a nerve-wracking landing as he touches down back in Yellowknife.

The final challenge of the episode involves veteran pilots Joe and Ron who are tasked with flying a new plane down to sunny California. The trip will involve flying through changing weather conditions, and the pilots know that they'll need to stay alert and on their toes throughout the journey.

As they take off from Yellowknife, the weather is clear and sunny, providing a smooth flight for the team. However, as they make their way through western Canada, things start to take a turn for the worse.

From battling with turbulence to facing fierce competition for airspace, Joe and Ron must work together to keep the plane steady and overcome these challenges. And as they finally make their way into California, the pilots reflect on the rewards of flying in tough conditions and the satisfaction of making it to their destination safely.

Overall, the "Ice Pilots" Season 1 Episode 5, "Danger Below Zero," offers viewers a fascinating look into the world of flying in extreme conditions. From de-icing planes to navigating through snowstorms and low visibility, the pilots of Buffalo Airways showcase their bravery and expertise as they keep the wheels turning and the cargo flowing. It's truly a thrilling episode that provides an up-close and personal look at the difficult and sometimes dangerous work that goes into keeping commercial aviation running in the Great White North.