Ep 3. Twin Otter

The highly popular documentary series 'Mighty Planes' is a show that takes us on a ride aboard some of the most sophisticated aviation machines and offers a fascinating peek into their design, engineering, and operation. Season 4, episode 3 of Mighty Planes, titled 'Twin Otter', is no exception to the excitement that this series brings with it.

In this episode, the viewers get to know a lesser-known but a very important airplane that's been in service for more than five decades - The Twin Otter. The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft designed and manufactured by Canadian aerospace firm de Havilland Canada. It is a highly versatile aircraft that can be used for a variety of tasks, including passenger transportation, cargo hauling, medical evacuation, and even the conducting of scientific research.

The episode takes us to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, where we meet the crew of Twin Otter Airlines, a well-established airline that operates a fleet of 16 Twin Otter airplanes. They are one of the few businesses that rely entirely on the Twin Otter to operate in the challenging and remote High Arctic region, where vast distances, harsh weather conditions, and limited resources put their expertise to use.

The camera then takes us to the Yellowknife airport, where we get to see the Twin Otter up close and personal. The viewers get to see the aircraft's unique features, such as its twin-engine configuration, STOL capabilities, and ability to be fitted with skis or floats. We are introduced to the pilots, who share with us their experiences of flying the Twin Otter in the challenging Arctic conditions.

We then board the Twin Otter for a flight to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, with a stopover at a remote airfield. During the flight, the crew experts show us how they navigate the plane through the picturesque Arctic landscape, dealing with strong winds, sudden snow squalls, and poor visibility. The viewers get to witness how the plane's cockpit instruments and avionics help the pilots fly and navigate the airplane.

The stopover gives the viewers an insight into the logistic difficulties of operating a Twin Otter, where refueling, cargo loading/unloading, and passenger embarkation/disembarkation have to be done quickly while battling the Arctic cold. We see how the crew is trying out an experimental low-friction coating on the plane's skis that will help reduce snow buildup and save time during takeoff and landings.

The show then takes us to Cambridge Bay, where the Twin Otter Airlines operate another base. We are introduced to the maintenance crew, who talk to us about the technical challenges of keeping the aging planes airworthy and safe to fly. They show us the maintenance routines that have to be followed on a Twin Otter, such as replacing the plane's landing gear, testing the avionics, and checking the plane's airframe for cracks.

Finally, the episode ends by highlighting the role of the Twin Otter as a lifeline to the people living in Canada's Arctic region. The plane is used to transport food, medical supplies, and equipment to remote communities that can only be accessed by air. We learn how the Twin Otter has saved countless lives by conducting medical evacuations during emergencies, such as a heart attack or a complicated childbirth.

Overall, Season 4, episode 3 of Mighty Planes, titled 'Twin Otter', is a fascinating and informative documentary that takes us on an unforgettable journey aboard one of the world's most versatile airplanes. It offers the viewers an insight into the technical, logistical, and human challenges of operating a Twin Otter in the remote and inhospitable Arctic region. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in aviation, engineering, or adventure.