1 00:00:05,875 --> 00:00:09,475 Father and son pilots fly explosive cargo... 2 00:00:09,575 --> 00:00:12,509 If something goes wrong, you got a big problem. 3 00:00:12,609 --> 00:00:13,875 ...to save freezing miners. 4 00:00:13,975 --> 00:00:15,375 We've literally got 5 00:00:15,475 --> 00:00:17,175 a matter of hours before we're having 6 00:00:17,275 --> 00:00:18,709 to burn buildings to stay alive. 7 00:00:18,809 --> 00:00:22,975 Mechanics race to fix a grounded airliner... 8 00:00:23,075 --> 00:00:25,042 Oh, no, dude. These are stripping. 9 00:00:25,142 --> 00:00:27,075 ...to reunite families. 10 00:00:27,175 --> 00:00:29,042 I'm having a baby. First one. 11 00:00:29,142 --> 00:00:30,275 And the U.S. Coast Guard 12 00:00:30,375 --> 00:00:32,542 turns the mighty Hercules transport 13 00:00:32,642 --> 00:00:34,909 into a bomber... 14 00:00:35,009 --> 00:00:36,209 It's gonna be fast. You can't miss. 15 00:00:36,309 --> 00:00:38,842 ...to deliver lifesaving supplies... 16 00:00:38,942 --> 00:00:41,909 - Drop, drop, drop. - ...in deadly conditions. 17 00:00:42,009 --> 00:00:44,875 Terrain ahead. 18 00:00:46,975 --> 00:00:49,542 Anchorage International Airport. 19 00:00:49,642 --> 00:00:51,342 1-8-0, clear for takeoff. 20 00:00:51,442 --> 00:00:53,275 Gateway to America's last frontier. 21 00:00:53,375 --> 00:00:56,175 It's just so pristine and beautiful. 22 00:00:56,275 --> 00:00:57,609 It's got to get your blood pumping. 23 00:00:57,709 --> 00:01:00,075 More than 700 airfields 24 00:01:00,175 --> 00:01:02,275 hammered by Arctic snowstorms 25 00:01:02,375 --> 00:01:05,509 and freezing temperatures. 26 00:01:05,609 --> 00:01:07,775 That's everyday life up here in Alaska. 27 00:01:08,742 --> 00:01:10,575 From the Arctic Circle... 28 00:01:10,675 --> 00:01:12,042 There's a bear out there somewhere, Dan. 29 00:01:12,142 --> 00:01:14,275 We're taking an aircraft in the sky, 30 00:01:14,375 --> 00:01:15,675 and we're not guaranteed to come home. 31 00:01:15,775 --> 00:01:18,375 ...to the edge of America. 32 00:01:18,475 --> 00:01:19,642 We are going to the ends 33 00:01:19,742 --> 00:01:20,609 of the earth. 34 00:01:21,675 --> 00:01:25,042 It takes a team of stone-cold operators... 35 00:01:25,142 --> 00:01:26,609 I think 36 00:01:26,709 --> 00:01:28,875 Alaska attracts a certain type of person. 37 00:01:28,975 --> 00:01:30,575 We are our only option out here. 38 00:01:30,675 --> 00:01:32,409 Plane breaks, we have to fix it. 39 00:01:32,509 --> 00:01:33,942 Make sure everything's buckled up. 40 00:01:34,042 --> 00:01:35,175 It could be kind of bumpy. 41 00:01:36,375 --> 00:01:38,375 All right. Kick her into high gear. 42 00:01:38,475 --> 00:01:41,375 ...to face off against Alaska... 43 00:01:41,475 --> 00:01:43,042 Inbound emergency aircraft. 44 00:01:43,142 --> 00:01:44,442 Everybody get out of my way. 45 00:01:44,542 --> 00:01:45,842 Ho, ho, ho, ho! 46 00:01:45,942 --> 00:01:47,009 She can't come in anymore. 47 00:01:48,475 --> 00:01:50,275 ...and get the job done. 48 00:01:50,375 --> 00:01:51,509 It really is 49 00:01:51,609 --> 00:01:52,675 a champagne cork moment. 50 00:01:52,775 --> 00:01:55,509 We'll go warm up and have a cold beer. 51 00:01:55,609 --> 00:02:00,642 This is Ice Airport Alaska. 52 00:02:09,109 --> 00:02:11,142 ♪ rock music ♪ 53 00:02:12,342 --> 00:02:14,109 The Alaskan wilderness is rich 54 00:02:14,209 --> 00:02:18,375 with the raw materials that power modern America. 55 00:02:18,475 --> 00:02:21,709 But the most valuable ground is also the hardest 56 00:02:21,809 --> 00:02:23,709 to reach. 57 00:02:23,809 --> 00:02:27,442 These remote mines drive a $4 billion dollar industry, 58 00:02:27,542 --> 00:02:32,009 and some sit hundreds of miles from the nearest road. 59 00:02:32,975 --> 00:02:35,275 Out here... 60 00:02:35,375 --> 00:02:37,642 ...if you can't fly it in, 61 00:02:37,742 --> 00:02:39,042 you go without. 62 00:02:44,242 --> 00:02:46,175 ♪ lively music ♪ 63 00:02:47,175 --> 00:02:49,009 How long are those probes? 64 00:02:49,109 --> 00:02:51,409 - About two inches or something? - Yeah. 65 00:02:51,509 --> 00:02:54,942 The mines rely on aviation businesses 66 00:02:55,042 --> 00:02:56,942 like Glenn Air. 67 00:02:57,042 --> 00:02:58,609 We do a lot 68 00:02:58,709 --> 00:03:00,575 of mine exploration support, 69 00:03:00,675 --> 00:03:02,709 oil field exploration support, 70 00:03:02,809 --> 00:03:03,742 fuel flying. 71 00:03:03,842 --> 00:03:05,475 And that's our primary business. 72 00:03:05,575 --> 00:03:07,109 That needs pushed up. 73 00:03:07,209 --> 00:03:09,375 Boy, that's for sure. 74 00:03:09,475 --> 00:03:11,842 At Palmer Airport, 75 00:03:11,942 --> 00:03:14,209 veteran bush pilot Doug Glenn 76 00:03:14,309 --> 00:03:16,509 is getting ready for his next mission, 77 00:03:16,609 --> 00:03:19,275 a fuel delivery to a mining camp. 78 00:03:20,242 --> 00:03:21,142 If the camp 79 00:03:21,242 --> 00:03:22,242 wasn't able to get fuel, 80 00:03:22,342 --> 00:03:24,209 they'd have to shut the things down. 81 00:03:24,309 --> 00:03:25,942 I mean, we're-- we are the lifeline 82 00:03:26,042 --> 00:03:27,775 that keeps the camp going. 83 00:03:31,742 --> 00:03:33,575 For Doug and his son Jacoby, 84 00:03:33,675 --> 00:03:36,842 the day begins at 8 a.m., making final checks 85 00:03:36,942 --> 00:03:41,075 to their customized Dromader M-18 aircraft. 86 00:03:41,175 --> 00:03:42,942 ♪ rock music ♪ 87 00:03:44,542 --> 00:03:49,409 The Flying Camel was born in the late 1970s as a crop sprayer, 88 00:03:49,509 --> 00:03:52,009 but a 1,000-shaft horsepower engine 89 00:03:52,109 --> 00:03:54,409 with the ability to fly low and slow 90 00:03:54,509 --> 00:03:56,375 makes it perfect for Alaska. 91 00:03:58,342 --> 00:03:59,675 It's a tail wheel airplane, 92 00:03:59,775 --> 00:04:01,075 and it works great for landing 93 00:04:01,175 --> 00:04:03,309 on unimproved airstrips. 94 00:04:03,409 --> 00:04:04,842 Real heavy and at slow speed, 95 00:04:04,942 --> 00:04:06,742 it's a great-feeling airplane. 96 00:04:07,775 --> 00:04:09,342 With a few modifications, 97 00:04:09,442 --> 00:04:12,209 the big hopper, designed to carry pesticide, 98 00:04:12,309 --> 00:04:14,409 does a great job carrying fuel. 99 00:04:14,509 --> 00:04:16,075 The bulk tank is right there, 100 00:04:16,175 --> 00:04:18,509 and that tank is 630 gallons. 101 00:04:18,608 --> 00:04:21,209 So, from right here at this angle 102 00:04:21,309 --> 00:04:23,809 all the way back to the cockpit is tank. 103 00:04:23,909 --> 00:04:25,309 On today's mission, 104 00:04:25,409 --> 00:04:28,109 two aircraft will carry 1,200 gallons 105 00:04:28,209 --> 00:04:31,309 of highly flammable Jet A fuel. 106 00:04:31,409 --> 00:04:33,775 The load is shaped in such a manner 107 00:04:33,875 --> 00:04:36,942 it keeps your center of gravity over the center of the wing 108 00:04:37,042 --> 00:04:40,375 and it just allows you to keep the airplane under control. 109 00:04:40,475 --> 00:04:42,109 ♪ tense music ♪ 110 00:04:42,209 --> 00:04:44,342 The destination for today's flight 111 00:04:44,442 --> 00:04:47,809 is a remote mine called Whiskey Bravo. 112 00:04:47,909 --> 00:04:49,209 From Palmer Airport, 113 00:04:49,309 --> 00:04:52,142 it's a 140-mile journey northwest 114 00:04:52,242 --> 00:04:54,675 across the Alaska Range. 115 00:04:59,075 --> 00:05:01,809 ♪ rock music ♪ 116 00:05:01,909 --> 00:05:06,509 And Camp Whiskey Bravo is no ordinary operation. 117 00:05:06,609 --> 00:05:09,509 Antimony isn't found in a lot of places in the U.S., 118 00:05:09,609 --> 00:05:10,875 but... 119 00:05:10,975 --> 00:05:12,342 we've got it here. 120 00:05:12,442 --> 00:05:14,875 This is one of just two places 121 00:05:14,975 --> 00:05:17,375 in the U.S. where antimony is mined. 122 00:05:17,475 --> 00:05:19,475 As a hardening agent, 123 00:05:19,575 --> 00:05:22,975 it's used in everything from batteries to bullets. 124 00:05:23,075 --> 00:05:24,242 What we're doing here 125 00:05:24,342 --> 00:05:26,209 is trying to find critical minerals 126 00:05:26,309 --> 00:05:28,342 that our Department of Defense uses, making weapons 127 00:05:28,442 --> 00:05:30,442 as well as cell phones. 128 00:05:33,175 --> 00:05:34,675 Everything's always a pain 129 00:05:34,775 --> 00:05:36,475 in the butt out here. 130 00:05:37,775 --> 00:05:39,875 For camp manager Ian and his crew, 131 00:05:39,975 --> 00:05:41,742 winter is a test of endurance. 132 00:05:44,742 --> 00:05:47,575 We woke up this morning. It was about 12 to 15 below. 133 00:05:47,675 --> 00:05:49,275 And, uh, as a result, 134 00:05:49,375 --> 00:05:52,209 we have freezing water in our restrooms and showers. 135 00:05:53,209 --> 00:05:57,709 The miners have just 48 hours of fuel supplies left. 136 00:05:57,809 --> 00:05:59,542 Within a few days, everything will be froze up. 137 00:05:59,642 --> 00:06:02,242 So we have to have fossil fuels here 138 00:06:02,342 --> 00:06:03,942 to, uh, keep this place running. 139 00:06:04,942 --> 00:06:06,409 Without them, we can't run our generators. 140 00:06:06,509 --> 00:06:07,975 We can't run our equipment. 141 00:06:08,075 --> 00:06:11,309 So fuel is really what makes this place go. 142 00:06:11,409 --> 00:06:13,175 ♪ tense music ♪ 143 00:06:21,709 --> 00:06:23,409 I'm gonna go outside, 144 00:06:23,509 --> 00:06:24,675 see what it looks like. 145 00:06:24,775 --> 00:06:26,875 At Palmer, Doug and Jacoby 146 00:06:26,975 --> 00:06:29,609 are ready for takeoff at 9 a.m. 147 00:06:31,375 --> 00:06:34,509 But conditions on the runway aren't looking good. 148 00:06:35,509 --> 00:06:39,209 The risk is severe turbulence and then 149 00:06:39,309 --> 00:06:41,009 landing on these slick runways. 150 00:06:42,542 --> 00:06:43,975 Hey, Ian. 151 00:06:44,075 --> 00:06:46,309 We got 45 knots or so winds here, 152 00:06:46,409 --> 00:06:48,775 and it's just not gonna work out to come out today. 153 00:06:48,875 --> 00:06:50,142 And I know you need your fuel, 154 00:06:50,242 --> 00:06:53,142 but we will give it a shot tomorrow. 155 00:06:54,142 --> 00:06:56,509 We got flammable cargo on board. 156 00:06:56,609 --> 00:06:58,109 It's not worth the risk. 157 00:06:58,209 --> 00:06:59,775 ♪ dramatic music ♪ 158 00:06:59,875 --> 00:07:01,575 Without the fuel, 159 00:07:01,675 --> 00:07:02,675 the whole place is shut down, 160 00:07:02,775 --> 00:07:04,509 and we're calling for an emergency evac. 161 00:07:04,609 --> 00:07:05,809 That's just the way it's going. 162 00:07:10,642 --> 00:07:11,842 ♪ dramatic music ♪ 163 00:07:11,942 --> 00:07:14,675 The Aleutian port of Dutch Harbor 164 00:07:14,775 --> 00:07:17,342 is the heart of the U.S. fishing industry, 165 00:07:17,442 --> 00:07:21,142 harvesting 60% of the nation's seafood. 166 00:07:23,375 --> 00:07:25,375 The fishermen sailing from here 167 00:07:25,475 --> 00:07:28,675 brave some of the world's deadliest seas. 168 00:07:28,775 --> 00:07:31,542 And when they run into trouble... 169 00:07:33,042 --> 00:07:35,809 ...there's only one place to turn: 170 00:07:35,909 --> 00:07:40,442 the United States Coast Guard Kodiak Air Station. 171 00:07:41,509 --> 00:07:44,042 The weather here can be disastrous. 172 00:07:44,142 --> 00:07:46,109 So if someone needs help, 173 00:07:46,209 --> 00:07:48,609 we have to get on scene as quick as possible. 174 00:07:51,909 --> 00:07:53,642 ♪ intriguing music ♪ 175 00:07:53,742 --> 00:07:56,975 Lieutenant Commander Kevin Knaup 176 00:07:57,075 --> 00:08:01,842 is a veteran pilot with nine years flying search and rescue. 177 00:08:01,942 --> 00:08:03,275 Here at Kodiak, 178 00:08:03,375 --> 00:08:04,609 it's so dangerous, we don't take new guys. 179 00:08:04,709 --> 00:08:07,175 And so it's another three years 180 00:08:07,275 --> 00:08:09,075 to get qualified to upgrade 181 00:08:09,175 --> 00:08:10,775 and to be able to execute these missions safely. 182 00:08:10,875 --> 00:08:13,975 In an environment this challenging, 183 00:08:14,075 --> 00:08:17,409 everyone needs to have their skills on point. 184 00:08:17,509 --> 00:08:18,575 We're doing a bunch of good training today. 185 00:08:18,675 --> 00:08:22,542 We're gonna be doing some drops to the beach. 186 00:08:25,742 --> 00:08:30,141 Today is test day for Kevin and his seven-person crew. 187 00:08:30,142 --> 00:08:31,742 They need to make a drop 188 00:08:31,842 --> 00:08:33,741 of emergency supplies from the back of a plane 189 00:08:33,842 --> 00:08:37,741 within 500 feet of a simulated shipwreck survivor. 190 00:08:39,075 --> 00:08:40,609 It's a huge team effort. 191 00:08:40,708 --> 00:08:41,909 I might be flying the aircraft, 192 00:08:42,009 --> 00:08:43,475 doing the timing, 193 00:08:43,575 --> 00:08:45,975 but all of it depends on the whole team. 194 00:08:46,075 --> 00:08:48,109 Dropmaster Rexxie Clark is responsible 195 00:08:48,209 --> 00:08:51,675 for launching the rescue package in today's training. 196 00:08:51,775 --> 00:08:54,675 It's extremely important that we keep our skills up. 197 00:08:54,775 --> 00:08:57,509 It could be life or death for somebody. 198 00:08:57,609 --> 00:08:59,309 It's a lot of stress, a lot of worry. 199 00:08:59,409 --> 00:09:01,309 ♪ tense music ♪ 200 00:09:01,409 --> 00:09:03,942 The target for today's drop is a beach 201 00:09:04,042 --> 00:09:07,742 in Chiniak Bay on the east coast of the island, 202 00:09:07,842 --> 00:09:10,409 close to Kashevaroff Mountain. 203 00:09:10,509 --> 00:09:13,509 Today's scenario will bring us close to terrain. 204 00:09:13,609 --> 00:09:15,275 Most of our search and rescue cases here 205 00:09:15,375 --> 00:09:16,409 are in the wide open ocean, 206 00:09:16,509 --> 00:09:18,142 so we might have to make a few adjustments, 207 00:09:18,242 --> 00:09:20,042 and those can only come with experience. 208 00:09:21,042 --> 00:09:22,209 On a mission like this, 209 00:09:22,309 --> 00:09:25,575 there's only one aircraft for the job. 210 00:09:25,675 --> 00:09:28,275 The mighty Super Hercules C-130J. 211 00:09:28,842 --> 00:09:30,875 ♪ rock music ♪ 212 00:09:32,942 --> 00:09:36,542 The HC-130J Super Hercules 213 00:09:36,675 --> 00:09:38,942 is a triple-threat rescue aircraft. 214 00:09:40,309 --> 00:09:43,909 Purpose-built to act as aerial command, 215 00:09:44,009 --> 00:09:45,809 conduct long-range surveillance, 216 00:09:45,909 --> 00:09:48,709 and drop rescue personnel and supplies 217 00:09:48,809 --> 00:09:51,075 into the danger zone. 218 00:09:55,809 --> 00:09:57,942 I can remember exactly what it was like 219 00:09:58,042 --> 00:09:59,642 flying this aircraft for the first time. 220 00:09:59,742 --> 00:10:00,942 We don't take it lightly 221 00:10:01,042 --> 00:10:02,942 that we're taking an aircraft in the sky 222 00:10:03,042 --> 00:10:04,542 and we're not guaranteed to come home. 223 00:10:04,642 --> 00:10:07,575 Door checks are complete. Roger. 224 00:10:07,675 --> 00:10:09,375 Doors are closed and checked. 225 00:10:09,475 --> 00:10:10,509 Clearing for takeoff. 226 00:10:10,609 --> 00:10:11,809 Checks are complete. 227 00:10:11,909 --> 00:10:13,575 ♪ energetic music ♪ 228 00:10:13,675 --> 00:10:15,409 For takeoff, Kevin throttles 229 00:10:15,509 --> 00:10:18,409 the 130,000-pound Hercules 230 00:10:18,509 --> 00:10:21,809 up to 115 miles per hour. 231 00:10:23,375 --> 00:10:24,342 All right, positive read. 232 00:10:24,442 --> 00:10:26,009 Gear up. Just a bump. 233 00:10:26,109 --> 00:10:29,375 They climb to an altitude of 1,000 feet 234 00:10:29,475 --> 00:10:33,075 to survey the bay for signs of a distress victim. 235 00:10:33,175 --> 00:10:34,175 We're just scoping out 236 00:10:34,275 --> 00:10:35,709 what we've got to work with up here. 237 00:10:40,542 --> 00:10:41,875 On the ground, 238 00:10:41,975 --> 00:10:45,142 Lieutenant Justin Baker plays the shipwreck survivor 239 00:10:45,242 --> 00:10:48,942 and will also report on the crew's drop performance. 240 00:10:49,042 --> 00:10:52,009 They have about 50 square miles going from a cove 241 00:10:52,109 --> 00:10:53,309 all the way across 242 00:10:53,409 --> 00:10:54,609 to the far cove over there. 243 00:10:54,709 --> 00:10:55,709 And then, from there, they're gonna drop 244 00:10:55,809 --> 00:10:56,909 a care package for me. 245 00:10:57,009 --> 00:10:57,909 There's somebody 246 00:10:58,009 --> 00:10:59,209 on the beach, maybe. 247 00:10:59,309 --> 00:11:01,209 There's a big SOS. 248 00:11:01,309 --> 00:11:02,442 SOS, huh? 249 00:11:02,542 --> 00:11:03,909 Awesome. 250 00:11:04,009 --> 00:11:05,942 It looks like we found him. 251 00:11:08,309 --> 00:11:10,775 ♪ tense music ♪ 252 00:11:11,775 --> 00:11:14,842 A 2,000-foot-high mountain just behind the beach 253 00:11:14,942 --> 00:11:17,642 complicates the approach for any rescue. 254 00:11:18,642 --> 00:11:20,075 It's very challenging conditions. 255 00:11:20,175 --> 00:11:22,975 Flying toward mountains is dangerous, 256 00:11:23,075 --> 00:11:26,342 so the pilots decide to circle behind the beach 257 00:11:26,442 --> 00:11:28,542 and approach from inland. 258 00:11:28,642 --> 00:11:31,109 I'd rather fly with falling terrain 259 00:11:31,209 --> 00:11:32,809 than I would rising terrain. 260 00:11:32,909 --> 00:11:34,475 The first job is to pinpoint 261 00:11:34,575 --> 00:11:36,609 the survivor's position. 262 00:11:36,709 --> 00:11:39,675 Kevin brings the Hercules down to 500 feet 263 00:11:39,775 --> 00:11:41,609 to drop a flare. 264 00:11:41,709 --> 00:11:43,475 All right, we're ready in the back. 265 00:11:43,575 --> 00:11:44,909 Restraint harness. 266 00:11:45,009 --> 00:11:46,342 - Cargo, check. - Cargo ramp 267 00:11:46,442 --> 00:11:47,342 - and door. - All right, so, 268 00:11:47,442 --> 00:11:48,875 pretty sure you're clear to open 269 00:11:48,975 --> 00:11:50,142 - cargo ramp and door. - Roger, 270 00:11:50,275 --> 00:11:52,109 opening the ramp and door. Aux pump on. 271 00:11:53,775 --> 00:11:55,209 Opening the rear door 272 00:11:55,309 --> 00:11:57,209 creates drag for the aircraft, 273 00:11:57,309 --> 00:12:00,575 so Kevin powers up to compensate. 274 00:12:00,675 --> 00:12:02,742 Throttle's going 150. 275 00:12:08,575 --> 00:12:10,709 We're about one minute out. 276 00:12:10,809 --> 00:12:11,809 Roger, 277 00:12:11,909 --> 00:12:13,209 one minute out. 278 00:12:13,309 --> 00:12:14,609 The biggest thing I'm listening for 279 00:12:14,709 --> 00:12:17,009 is I'm listening for the calls that the pilots give us 280 00:12:17,109 --> 00:12:18,975 to let us know, like, when we're 30 seconds out 281 00:12:19,075 --> 00:12:20,975 or 15 seconds out. 282 00:12:21,075 --> 00:12:25,009 The flare burns only on contact with seawater. 283 00:12:25,109 --> 00:12:27,942 If the crew mistime the drop and hit land, 284 00:12:28,042 --> 00:12:29,142 it won't ignite 285 00:12:29,242 --> 00:12:31,542 and will fail to mark the target. 286 00:12:32,875 --> 00:12:33,842 Thirty-second standby. 287 00:12:33,942 --> 00:12:35,142 Roger. 30-second standby. 288 00:12:36,142 --> 00:12:39,942 Pulling the pin out primes the 11-pound flare. 289 00:12:40,042 --> 00:12:41,375 Fifteen-second standby. 290 00:12:41,475 --> 00:12:42,875 Roger. 15-second standby. 291 00:12:42,975 --> 00:12:45,342 The C-130 travels 1,000 feet 292 00:12:45,442 --> 00:12:47,109 every six seconds. 293 00:12:47,209 --> 00:12:51,309 So dropping the flare on target demands perfect timing. 294 00:12:51,409 --> 00:12:53,109 ♪ exciting music ♪ 295 00:12:53,209 --> 00:12:55,409 Spike expected. 296 00:12:55,509 --> 00:12:57,442 Drop, drop, drop. 297 00:13:06,541 --> 00:13:08,241 At Camp Whiskey Bravo, 298 00:13:08,341 --> 00:13:10,208 after a day of weather delay, 299 00:13:10,308 --> 00:13:13,708 fuel reserves are down to 24 hours. 300 00:13:13,808 --> 00:13:14,741 The generator 301 00:13:14,841 --> 00:13:16,441 goes down because we're out of fuel, 302 00:13:16,541 --> 00:13:18,141 we've literally got a matter of hours 303 00:13:18,241 --> 00:13:20,641 before we're having to burn buildings to stay alive. 304 00:13:22,508 --> 00:13:24,108 ♪ exciting music ♪ 305 00:13:24,208 --> 00:13:25,474 We all set? 306 00:13:25,574 --> 00:13:27,641 - Yeah, I got it. - Okay. 307 00:13:27,741 --> 00:13:28,841 At Palmer, 308 00:13:28,974 --> 00:13:30,874 Doug and Jacoby are getting ready 309 00:13:30,974 --> 00:13:34,808 for their next attempt to make the highly flammable delivery. 310 00:13:34,908 --> 00:13:36,174 It's risky. 311 00:13:36,274 --> 00:13:38,741 It's dangerous out there. 'Cause if something goes wrong 312 00:13:38,841 --> 00:13:41,508 in the middle of nowhere, you got a big problem. 313 00:13:43,574 --> 00:13:45,274 They'll need to make it today 314 00:13:45,374 --> 00:13:46,808 or the camp will shut down. 315 00:13:49,974 --> 00:13:51,741 Palmer Traffic, 3-Bravo-Golf 316 00:13:51,841 --> 00:13:52,941 taking 1-0 at November. 317 00:13:53,041 --> 00:13:56,274 Be a right turnout far to the west. 318 00:13:57,274 --> 00:14:00,641 Each Dromader carries more than two tons of fuel. 319 00:14:00,741 --> 00:14:04,208 The extra weight makes the plane hard to handle. 320 00:14:04,308 --> 00:14:06,341 ♪ rock music ♪ 321 00:14:07,474 --> 00:14:09,908 I keep the plane fairly flat on takeoff. 322 00:14:10,008 --> 00:14:11,341 I lift off the ground 323 00:14:11,441 --> 00:14:13,108 about 110 knots 324 00:14:13,208 --> 00:14:14,508 and try to get up to 125, 325 00:14:14,608 --> 00:14:17,174 30 knots by the end of the runway, 326 00:14:17,274 --> 00:14:21,274 and then you can power back up in the 150-knot range. 327 00:14:21,374 --> 00:14:23,941 Looks good to go. Beautiful. 328 00:14:30,808 --> 00:14:32,841 ♪ tense music ♪ 329 00:14:34,108 --> 00:14:36,941 Just a few minutes after takeoff, 330 00:14:37,041 --> 00:14:38,874 the guys hit trouble. 331 00:14:45,541 --> 00:14:47,241 The only way to avoid the turbulence 332 00:14:47,341 --> 00:14:48,841 is to climb above it. 333 00:14:48,941 --> 00:14:50,241 But this kind of flying 334 00:14:50,341 --> 00:14:53,474 isn't what a crop sprayer was built to do. 335 00:15:09,541 --> 00:15:12,441 They have to get all the way to 3,500 feet 336 00:15:12,541 --> 00:15:14,674 to reach clean air. 337 00:15:21,774 --> 00:15:23,741 ♪ somber music ♪ 338 00:15:25,308 --> 00:15:27,641 After 40 minutes of struggle, 339 00:15:27,741 --> 00:15:29,841 the mine's runway comes into view. 340 00:15:44,641 --> 00:15:46,974 Now they face the moment of truth: 341 00:15:47,074 --> 00:15:51,441 bringing down a flying bomb on a dirt airstrip. 342 00:15:56,308 --> 00:15:59,308 Coming into Whiskey Bravo with a full tank full of fuel, 343 00:15:59,408 --> 00:16:01,974 you got to keep everything lined up down the runway. 344 00:16:02,074 --> 00:16:03,408 It's definitely slippery, 345 00:16:03,508 --> 00:16:05,474 and braking is pretty nil. 346 00:16:06,441 --> 00:16:07,674 You just got to stay on track. 347 00:16:07,774 --> 00:16:09,541 There's no room for error. 348 00:16:14,308 --> 00:16:16,508 Anchorage Tower, Runway 33. Clear to land. 349 00:16:16,608 --> 00:16:18,641 ♪ up-tempo music ♪ 350 00:16:20,341 --> 00:16:22,074 Anchorage International Airport 351 00:16:22,174 --> 00:16:26,608 averages more than 1,000 takeoffs and landings per day. 352 00:16:29,474 --> 00:16:32,941 Those flights carry more than 12,000 passengers, 353 00:16:33,041 --> 00:16:34,541 whatever the weather. 354 00:16:34,641 --> 00:16:36,541 Brenda, you're good. Thank you. 355 00:16:36,641 --> 00:16:38,208 - How you doing? - Almost half of them 356 00:16:38,308 --> 00:16:39,508 fly with Alaska Airlines. 357 00:16:39,608 --> 00:16:41,708 - Okay. - Keeping them on track 358 00:16:41,808 --> 00:16:45,374 is the job of gate agents like Daryl Stephens. 359 00:16:45,474 --> 00:16:47,541 Group A, you're welcome to board. 360 00:16:47,641 --> 00:16:49,641 I started work 361 00:16:49,774 --> 00:16:51,574 at 3 in the afternoon. 362 00:16:51,674 --> 00:16:54,841 I get off at 1:30 in the morning. 363 00:16:54,941 --> 00:16:56,974 And it's been a long day. 364 00:16:57,074 --> 00:16:58,908 It's 11 p.m., 365 00:16:59,008 --> 00:17:02,274 and Daryl's setting up for the last big job this shift: 366 00:17:02,374 --> 00:17:04,374 the midnight flight to Seattle. 367 00:17:04,473 --> 00:17:06,008 For your red-eyes, 368 00:17:06,108 --> 00:17:08,040 they're important to start on time, 369 00:17:08,141 --> 00:17:11,641 because passengers do have connection times in Seattle. 370 00:17:12,608 --> 00:17:15,174 Gavin Anderson has been away from his family 371 00:17:15,273 --> 00:17:17,074 for months. 372 00:17:17,174 --> 00:17:18,340 I really need to get back 373 00:17:18,441 --> 00:17:20,608 to the people back home. 374 00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:24,208 There's some family that I haven't seen. 375 00:17:24,308 --> 00:17:25,773 Final destination is 376 00:17:25,874 --> 00:17:27,374 Arkansas. But to get there, 377 00:17:27,473 --> 00:17:28,574 I have to go from Anchorage 378 00:17:28,674 --> 00:17:32,241 to Seattle and then from Seattle to Dallas 379 00:17:32,341 --> 00:17:34,174 and then from Dallas to Memphis. 380 00:17:34,274 --> 00:17:37,108 And then that's where I get off and drive back to Arkansas. 381 00:17:37,208 --> 00:17:38,708 For all the passengers, 382 00:17:38,808 --> 00:17:42,074 delays here have real-life consequences. 383 00:17:43,041 --> 00:17:44,874 I'm having a baby. 384 00:17:44,974 --> 00:17:47,374 First one. I'm pretty excited. 385 00:17:47,474 --> 00:17:49,774 I just hope I'm gonna make it home, you know? 386 00:17:51,108 --> 00:17:53,508 Out on the ramp, the Boeing 737 387 00:17:53,608 --> 00:17:56,708 is going through its final checks for the flight. 388 00:17:57,674 --> 00:17:59,441 ♪ lively music ♪ 389 00:17:59,541 --> 00:18:03,574 The 737 is a workhorse of global aviation. 390 00:18:03,674 --> 00:18:08,374 At any moment, there are almost 300 of them in the sky. 391 00:18:09,974 --> 00:18:14,574 Alaska Airlines has 248 of the aircraft in their fleet. 392 00:18:18,341 --> 00:18:21,441 But they don't fly until mechanical lead 393 00:18:21,541 --> 00:18:24,441 Hunter Brooks signs them off. 394 00:18:25,408 --> 00:18:26,741 We'll do a walk-around on that, 395 00:18:26,841 --> 00:18:28,174 make sure that everything is 396 00:18:28,274 --> 00:18:32,341 shipshape. And usually they don't have an issue. 397 00:18:32,441 --> 00:18:34,708 One hour before scheduled departure, 398 00:18:34,808 --> 00:18:38,108 the maintenance crew gets the call nobody wants. 399 00:18:38,208 --> 00:18:39,941 Austin, this is maintenance lead. 400 00:18:40,041 --> 00:18:41,208 Go for Austin. 401 00:18:41,308 --> 00:18:42,774 Hey, pilots on a walk-around, 402 00:18:42,874 --> 00:18:44,908 found, uh, damage on the nose tires. 403 00:18:45,008 --> 00:18:47,008 Uh, 4565. Can you check that out? 404 00:18:47,108 --> 00:18:48,941 Copy that. I'll be on my way. 405 00:18:49,474 --> 00:18:53,474 A pilot has spotted worn tread on the nose wheels. 406 00:18:53,574 --> 00:18:55,308 Tread on a tire actually is 407 00:18:55,408 --> 00:18:57,374 very important for moving snow, slush, 408 00:18:57,474 --> 00:18:59,641 rain away from the tire and allowing 409 00:18:59,741 --> 00:19:00,641 that tire to meet traction. 410 00:19:00,741 --> 00:19:03,441 So if a nose gear doesn't have 411 00:19:03,541 --> 00:19:05,674 the tread, it will lose steering, 412 00:19:05,774 --> 00:19:07,008 and it could 413 00:19:07,108 --> 00:19:08,608 veer off the runway. 414 00:19:10,708 --> 00:19:13,141 Gate Agent Daryl breaks the bad news 415 00:19:13,241 --> 00:19:14,341 to the people waiting. 416 00:19:14,441 --> 00:19:17,008 This is Flight 110 going to Seattle. 417 00:19:17,108 --> 00:19:18,208 Sorry about the maintenance delay 418 00:19:18,308 --> 00:19:19,808 that we are having right now. 419 00:19:19,908 --> 00:19:21,808 We will take care of each and every one of you. 420 00:19:22,841 --> 00:19:24,474 For passengers like Gavin 421 00:19:24,574 --> 00:19:27,541 and Jared, the potential delay hits hard. 422 00:19:27,641 --> 00:19:29,941 Missing the one connection 423 00:19:30,041 --> 00:19:34,608 has cost me about two days of, uh, time I can spend back home. 424 00:19:34,708 --> 00:19:36,374 It makes me anxious just thinking 425 00:19:36,474 --> 00:19:38,074 about what all could happen next. 426 00:19:38,174 --> 00:19:40,241 I just hope I make it home, you know? 427 00:19:40,341 --> 00:19:41,641 It's not the plane ride I'm scared of. 428 00:19:41,741 --> 00:19:43,541 I just want to make it home. 429 00:19:43,641 --> 00:19:45,341 ♪ percussive music ♪ 430 00:19:48,873 --> 00:19:50,373 Traffic Tower, six miles out on Runway 33, 431 00:19:50,473 --> 00:19:52,507 - clear for takeoff. - ♪ intriguing music ♪ 432 00:19:54,740 --> 00:19:57,807 It's 11:30 at Anchorage International, 433 00:19:57,907 --> 00:20:00,440 and the midnight flight to Seattle should be boarding. 434 00:20:01,407 --> 00:20:05,207 But a worn nose wheel tire threatens to delay it. 435 00:20:06,207 --> 00:20:08,607 Oh, yeah. It's warm today. It's 12 degrees. 436 00:20:08,707 --> 00:20:10,507 Twelve degrees Fahrenheit. 437 00:20:10,607 --> 00:20:14,607 Mechanics Jesse and Austin are on the scene. 438 00:20:14,707 --> 00:20:19,007 They have 30 minutes to replace the 737's nose wheels. 439 00:20:20,340 --> 00:20:22,607 We're about to jack up the nose of the aircraft 440 00:20:22,707 --> 00:20:24,173 to go change these tires out. 441 00:20:24,273 --> 00:20:26,473 We're only jacking it up 442 00:20:26,573 --> 00:20:28,340 so the nose tires are just barely off the ground. 443 00:20:28,440 --> 00:20:29,807 We'll be able to pull them out. 444 00:20:30,807 --> 00:20:33,840 When you're dealing with a 90,000-pound aircraft, 445 00:20:33,940 --> 00:20:37,573 changing a tire doesn't work like a NASCAR pit stop. 446 00:20:37,673 --> 00:20:41,507 The wheels on a 737 are over 200 PSI... 447 00:20:41,607 --> 00:20:43,207 All right, Austin. 448 00:20:43,307 --> 00:20:46,440 ...more than six times the pressure on a car tire. 449 00:20:47,407 --> 00:20:49,373 Gonna get a little loud. We're gonna have to deflate the tire. 450 00:20:52,940 --> 00:20:55,107 Okay, tire's deflated. 451 00:20:55,207 --> 00:20:59,973 I'm taking the, uh, axle nut out so we can remove the tire. 452 00:21:00,073 --> 00:21:01,407 Yeah, I love airplanes. 453 00:21:01,507 --> 00:21:03,473 I've always liked them since I was really little. 454 00:21:03,573 --> 00:21:05,307 We have to be pretty fluid with our jobs. 455 00:21:05,407 --> 00:21:07,007 There's so many parts on these airplanes, 456 00:21:07,107 --> 00:21:08,340 and anything could go wrong. 457 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:10,473 In perfect conditions, 458 00:21:10,573 --> 00:21:13,807 a wheel change should take around 20 minutes. 459 00:21:13,907 --> 00:21:17,040 But Alaskan weather is hard on components. 460 00:21:17,140 --> 00:21:19,973 Oh, no, dude. These are stripping. 461 00:21:20,940 --> 00:21:22,973 It looks like the small bolts 462 00:21:23,073 --> 00:21:25,507 holding on the nut on the axle there is stripping, 463 00:21:25,607 --> 00:21:27,973 so we'll have to get that out and get a new, uh... 464 00:21:28,073 --> 00:21:30,107 bolt right there. 465 00:21:30,207 --> 00:21:34,307 Removing a stripped bolt requires another tool, 466 00:21:34,407 --> 00:21:36,973 and it's back in the workshop. 467 00:21:37,973 --> 00:21:39,807 It is gonna set us back a little bit. 468 00:21:39,907 --> 00:21:41,507 ♪ tense music ♪ 469 00:21:41,607 --> 00:21:45,107 In the terminal, it's now 11:45 p.m., 470 00:21:45,207 --> 00:21:47,340 and Gavin is watching the clock. 471 00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:50,507 I can't afford any more delays. 472 00:21:50,607 --> 00:21:53,107 I can always get back money. 473 00:21:53,207 --> 00:21:54,540 I can get back anything material. 474 00:21:54,640 --> 00:21:56,373 I can't get back time. 475 00:21:57,373 --> 00:21:58,807 We have passengers who are 476 00:21:58,907 --> 00:22:02,040 getting, uh, kind of concerned about their connecting flights. 477 00:22:02,140 --> 00:22:03,673 I just look at the passengers 478 00:22:03,773 --> 00:22:04,873 and see that they're all stressed. 479 00:22:06,773 --> 00:22:08,107 I don't want that. 480 00:22:09,173 --> 00:22:10,340 Out on the runway, 481 00:22:10,440 --> 00:22:13,640 the guys now have the tools they need. 482 00:22:13,740 --> 00:22:14,973 Looks fine, so we'll have to put 483 00:22:15,073 --> 00:22:17,707 the new wheel assembly on there. 484 00:22:25,140 --> 00:22:26,840 This is a new hardware 485 00:22:26,940 --> 00:22:29,840 that's going on here to secure the wheel nut on there. 486 00:22:29,940 --> 00:22:32,607 But the work isn't finished yet. 487 00:22:33,573 --> 00:22:36,040 I'm gonna grab the nitrogen cart so we can fill the tires up. 488 00:22:37,340 --> 00:22:38,507 To remain stable 489 00:22:38,607 --> 00:22:40,473 under extreme temperature changes, 490 00:22:40,573 --> 00:22:45,240 aircraft tires have to be filled with 100% pure nitrogen. 491 00:22:45,340 --> 00:22:48,207 We inflate them to, uh, 210 PSI. 492 00:22:48,307 --> 00:22:51,073 It does vary on different aircraft. 493 00:22:51,173 --> 00:22:52,240 It is a lot. 494 00:22:52,340 --> 00:22:55,173 The tires under or over pressure, 495 00:22:55,307 --> 00:22:57,540 you can get uneven tread wear and a possible blowout 496 00:22:57,640 --> 00:22:59,007 from the tires. 497 00:23:00,473 --> 00:23:02,840 Yeah, we're gonna go ahead and lower the aircraft down. 498 00:23:02,940 --> 00:23:05,007 At five minutes to midnight, 499 00:23:05,107 --> 00:23:08,207 the mechanics lower the 45-ton plane 500 00:23:08,307 --> 00:23:10,040 back onto the tarmac. 501 00:23:10,140 --> 00:23:11,440 We're looking good here. We're all done. 502 00:23:11,540 --> 00:23:12,807 We're just cleaning up now. 503 00:23:14,340 --> 00:23:17,940 Right on time, this bird is ready to fly. 504 00:23:18,907 --> 00:23:20,940 Safety is really important in our job because 505 00:23:21,040 --> 00:23:22,707 anything that could happen on these airplanes, 506 00:23:22,807 --> 00:23:24,507 a lot of people's lives 507 00:23:24,607 --> 00:23:25,773 are in our hands. 508 00:23:28,807 --> 00:23:31,507 Taking off on schedule 509 00:23:31,607 --> 00:23:34,473 takes the pressure off for Gavin and Jared, 510 00:23:34,573 --> 00:23:36,840 but they still have two very different journeys ahead. 511 00:23:36,940 --> 00:23:38,173 It's been a long wait, 512 00:23:38,273 --> 00:23:40,607 and I'm about to have to get going here in a second. 513 00:23:40,707 --> 00:23:42,773 We got past this, but I still got, like, 514 00:23:42,873 --> 00:23:44,140 two more flights to go. 515 00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:45,373 - Here you go. - Thank you, Gavin. 516 00:23:45,473 --> 00:23:46,940 You're all set. 517 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:49,307 I'm glad to be on this flight. 518 00:23:49,407 --> 00:23:50,673 I'm super excited. 519 00:23:50,773 --> 00:23:52,440 I'm gonna get to see my baby girl. 520 00:23:52,540 --> 00:23:54,007 Thank you, Jared. 521 00:24:01,273 --> 00:24:04,207 ♪ rock music ♪ 522 00:24:04,307 --> 00:24:06,273 Five hundred feet above the North Pacific, 523 00:24:06,373 --> 00:24:09,173 Coast Guard pilot Kevin Knaup and his crew 524 00:24:09,273 --> 00:24:11,840 are on a flight assessment 525 00:24:11,940 --> 00:24:15,240 to certify them for real-life rescue missions. 526 00:24:15,340 --> 00:24:16,707 Drop, drop, drop. 527 00:24:16,807 --> 00:24:18,607 Drop's away. 528 00:24:22,007 --> 00:24:23,640 That's a good drop. 529 00:24:23,740 --> 00:24:25,340 Sweet. 530 00:24:27,940 --> 00:24:29,773 All right, coming up. 531 00:24:30,740 --> 00:24:33,740 Clears about, I don't know, 100 yards off the beach. 532 00:24:36,173 --> 00:24:38,907 We'll take a circle, get our look-sees 533 00:24:39,007 --> 00:24:40,773 at that flare, 534 00:24:40,873 --> 00:24:41,840 then we'll come back in. 535 00:24:41,940 --> 00:24:43,173 The flare acts 536 00:24:43,273 --> 00:24:45,673 as a beacon in low visibility, 537 00:24:45,773 --> 00:24:47,673 and the trail of smoke tells the pilot 538 00:24:47,773 --> 00:24:49,673 about wind conditions on the ground 539 00:24:49,773 --> 00:24:53,107 so he can compensate for drift. 540 00:24:53,207 --> 00:24:54,540 Yeah, it's like eight to ten knots 541 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:56,407 on quartering tailwind. 542 00:25:00,007 --> 00:25:03,607 Observing all the other things, looking good. 543 00:25:03,707 --> 00:25:05,640 The pilots circle around 544 00:25:05,740 --> 00:25:08,073 to line up for the final drop. 545 00:25:08,173 --> 00:25:12,073 Rexxie readies the 50-pound package of survival gear. 546 00:25:12,173 --> 00:25:14,907 It has to land within 200 feet 547 00:25:15,007 --> 00:25:17,707 of the simulated casualty. 548 00:25:17,807 --> 00:25:21,040 To aid accuracy, Kevin slows the plane 549 00:25:21,140 --> 00:25:24,940 to 120 miles per hour and drops altitude. 550 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:27,507 Typically, we fly very high and fast. 551 00:25:27,607 --> 00:25:31,007 Today we'll be operating at the margins of the aircraft 552 00:25:31,107 --> 00:25:33,740 to get as low and as slow as possible. 553 00:25:34,773 --> 00:25:36,773 All right, and flying. 554 00:25:36,873 --> 00:25:38,540 I'll s-slow it down and go on down. 555 00:25:38,640 --> 00:25:40,540 At this speed, the Hercules 556 00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:43,307 is close to an aerodynamic stall. 557 00:25:43,407 --> 00:25:46,673 Without enough airflow over the wings to generate lift, 558 00:25:46,773 --> 00:25:49,073 it would drop out of the sky. 559 00:25:49,173 --> 00:25:51,040 Speed checks, flaps. 560 00:25:51,140 --> 00:25:52,740 All right, center data. 561 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:54,373 Speed dash, check. 562 00:25:54,473 --> 00:25:56,640 Flaps are coming to 69. 563 00:25:56,740 --> 00:25:59,873 Copilot Jon Resch monitors airspeed. 564 00:25:59,973 --> 00:26:02,440 Hold that and you should be okay. 565 00:26:02,540 --> 00:26:03,907 There's no pride in the cockpit. 566 00:26:04,007 --> 00:26:06,473 Uh, when it comes to two pilots, both your lives are at stake. 567 00:26:06,573 --> 00:26:08,873 When they get the signal from Kevin, 568 00:26:08,973 --> 00:26:11,440 Rexxie and Tyler have less than a second 569 00:26:11,540 --> 00:26:14,040 to launch the 50-pound rescue package 570 00:26:14,140 --> 00:26:15,873 off the edge of the ramp. 571 00:26:16,907 --> 00:26:18,240 The hardest part's gonna be getting down, 572 00:26:18,340 --> 00:26:20,173 'cause you've got to get down 200 feet with your timing. 573 00:26:20,273 --> 00:26:22,773 On final approach for the drop, 574 00:26:22,873 --> 00:26:25,140 the ground is the biggest hazard. 575 00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:27,073 Got that tower in sight. 576 00:26:27,173 --> 00:26:28,573 I'll keep that in my view. 577 00:26:29,607 --> 00:26:31,340 Terrain ahead. 578 00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:33,307 Biggest concern as we're coming over that terrain 579 00:26:33,407 --> 00:26:34,307 is-is, our wingspan's 580 00:26:34,407 --> 00:26:35,807 132 feet. 581 00:26:35,907 --> 00:26:38,473 So when you're flying over terrain at 200 feet, 582 00:26:38,573 --> 00:26:40,740 it's not much to dip a wing 583 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:43,207 and have that turn into a pretty bad day pretty quick. 584 00:26:46,573 --> 00:26:48,607 Terrain ahead. 585 00:26:49,607 --> 00:26:51,640 Terrain ahead. 586 00:26:56,572 --> 00:26:58,606 ♪ atmospheric music ♪ 587 00:27:00,139 --> 00:27:02,139 All right, boys, Doug's gonna be coming in hot. 588 00:27:02,239 --> 00:27:06,572 We need to get this pump cooked so we can turn and burn. 589 00:27:07,572 --> 00:27:09,606 In the foothills of the Alaska Range, 590 00:27:09,706 --> 00:27:13,206 Camp Whiskey Bravo's manager Ian is preparing 591 00:27:13,306 --> 00:27:14,939 for his fuel delivery. 592 00:27:15,039 --> 00:27:16,772 So, when it gets below zero, 593 00:27:16,872 --> 00:27:18,906 we have to bring up this heater to cook the pump 594 00:27:19,006 --> 00:27:22,472 to warm it up so the oil won't be so thick and it'll run. 595 00:27:22,572 --> 00:27:24,439 That way we can get these, uh, tanks topped back off 596 00:27:24,539 --> 00:27:26,706 with this precious fuel that we need. 597 00:27:28,306 --> 00:27:30,406 At an altitude of 3,000 feet, 598 00:27:30,506 --> 00:27:34,406 Doug and his son Jacoby get ready to land. 599 00:27:34,506 --> 00:27:37,406 These planes are not set up to go on instruments. 600 00:27:37,506 --> 00:27:39,906 You just got to keep your eyes moving. 601 00:27:40,006 --> 00:27:42,472 Your depth perception gets wiped out, 602 00:27:42,572 --> 00:27:44,472 and you can't see how high you are. 603 00:27:44,572 --> 00:27:47,006 You could be 50 feet and you think you're ten, 604 00:27:47,106 --> 00:27:48,639 and it's a problem. 605 00:27:50,406 --> 00:27:52,372 Each plane carries 600 gallons 606 00:27:52,472 --> 00:27:56,072 of potentially explosive fuel... 607 00:27:56,172 --> 00:27:59,006 and they're coming down on a rough dirt strip 608 00:27:59,106 --> 00:28:01,706 covered in ice and snow. 609 00:28:01,806 --> 00:28:03,472 ♪ suspenseful music ♪ 610 00:28:09,672 --> 00:28:11,739 As the less experienced pilot, 611 00:28:11,839 --> 00:28:14,339 Jacoby starts his approach first, 612 00:28:14,439 --> 00:28:17,972 so he'll be able to use the full length of the runway. 613 00:28:23,672 --> 00:28:26,639 He turns the aircraft into the headwind. 614 00:28:31,172 --> 00:28:33,806 You always want to land into the wind if you can, 615 00:28:33,906 --> 00:28:36,972 because that enables you to get rid of some ground speed 616 00:28:37,072 --> 00:28:38,406 on touchdowns. 617 00:28:42,872 --> 00:28:45,506 Three-Bravo-Golf, final and south. 618 00:28:49,239 --> 00:28:51,506 In the final moments before touchdown, 619 00:28:51,606 --> 00:28:53,606 Jacoby has to push the stick forward 620 00:28:53,706 --> 00:28:56,539 for the front wheels to come down first, 621 00:28:56,639 --> 00:28:58,972 shifting the balance of the plane. 622 00:29:00,839 --> 00:29:02,272 When you're on short final, 623 00:29:02,372 --> 00:29:04,939 you just got to make sure everything's lined up good 624 00:29:05,039 --> 00:29:06,272 and touch down as smooth as you can, 625 00:29:06,372 --> 00:29:08,472 and especially on the ice. 626 00:29:17,972 --> 00:29:20,906 Jesus, he got her on the ground quick. 627 00:29:22,272 --> 00:29:25,306 As soon as Jacoby's down, it's Doug's turn. 628 00:29:25,406 --> 00:29:27,006 And with one plane parked, 629 00:29:27,106 --> 00:29:29,639 he's got less runway to play with. 630 00:29:29,739 --> 00:29:31,172 There's Doug. 631 00:29:31,272 --> 00:29:34,806 You have a fairly steep descent onto the runway, 632 00:29:34,906 --> 00:29:36,806 and you just drive the airplane right down 633 00:29:36,906 --> 00:29:39,772 until you're gonna touch down. 634 00:29:45,439 --> 00:29:47,406 Oh, yeah! 635 00:29:49,406 --> 00:29:51,439 ♪ upbeat music ♪ 636 00:29:55,006 --> 00:29:56,539 - Hey, Ian. - Hey, Doug. How's it going, bud? 637 00:29:56,639 --> 00:29:57,872 - Good. How are you doing? - Good. 638 00:29:57,972 --> 00:29:59,206 - Good. - Glad to see you 639 00:29:59,306 --> 00:30:00,506 make it with some fuel today, boy. 640 00:30:00,606 --> 00:30:02,539 Yeah, yeah. You guys going through some jet fuel? 641 00:30:02,639 --> 00:30:03,706 Oh, we're burning it. 642 00:30:03,806 --> 00:30:05,439 - We're burning it. - All right. 643 00:30:05,539 --> 00:30:07,272 Well, luckily, despite the weather, 644 00:30:07,372 --> 00:30:09,272 uh, the Glenn Air boys made it 645 00:30:09,372 --> 00:30:11,139 and brought us another 1,200 gallons 646 00:30:11,239 --> 00:30:13,839 of precious fuel that we need to keep this operation going. 647 00:30:13,939 --> 00:30:16,639 Wow, good thing you got a talented pilot, huh? 648 00:30:16,739 --> 00:30:18,272 - Yeah, yeah. - Now we're looking good, 649 00:30:18,372 --> 00:30:19,572 and, uh, 650 00:30:19,672 --> 00:30:20,572 we're just looking forward 651 00:30:20,672 --> 00:30:22,139 to keep drilling, baby, drilling. 652 00:30:23,906 --> 00:30:25,472 - Well, awesome. Thanks, Doug. - All right, buddy. 653 00:30:25,572 --> 00:30:26,839 - Appreciate you. - Yeah, fly safe out there. 654 00:30:26,939 --> 00:30:28,239 - We'll see you. - Okay. All right. 655 00:30:28,339 --> 00:30:29,572 Jacoby, thank you, buddy. 656 00:30:29,672 --> 00:30:31,306 - We'll see you later. - See you. 657 00:30:31,406 --> 00:30:35,739 Ooh, this is the worst part of it right here for me, 658 00:30:35,839 --> 00:30:37,772 getting in and out of this damn thing. 659 00:30:37,872 --> 00:30:39,472 ♪ upbeat music ♪ 660 00:30:39,572 --> 00:30:41,672 Thanks to Glenn Air, 661 00:30:41,806 --> 00:30:44,539 Whiskey Bravo is back in business, 662 00:30:44,639 --> 00:30:47,206 mining for America's future. 663 00:30:47,306 --> 00:30:49,339 They're happy to have fuel, 664 00:30:49,439 --> 00:30:51,672 and we're happy to get it there to 'em. 665 00:30:58,406 --> 00:31:01,872 Five, four, three, 666 00:31:01,972 --> 00:31:04,372 two, one, go. 667 00:31:10,972 --> 00:31:13,339 The Iditarod, 668 00:31:13,439 --> 00:31:17,906 a thousand-mile race across ice, snow and tundra, 669 00:31:18,006 --> 00:31:21,939 is the ultimate test of endurance for man and dog. 670 00:31:22,039 --> 00:31:26,106 For Alaskans, it's the biggest sporting event of the year. 671 00:31:26,206 --> 00:31:28,872 The winner can claim over $80,000 672 00:31:28,972 --> 00:31:31,639 in prize money. 673 00:31:31,739 --> 00:31:34,439 And today is race day. 674 00:31:35,939 --> 00:31:37,272 ♪ easygoing rock music ♪ 675 00:31:37,372 --> 00:31:40,739 For businesses like K2 Aviation, 676 00:31:40,839 --> 00:31:43,072 it marks the start of the flying season. 677 00:31:44,872 --> 00:31:47,239 At Talkeetna Airport, 678 00:31:47,339 --> 00:31:52,272 bush pilot Riley Martin begins prep for race day at 8 a.m. 679 00:31:52,372 --> 00:31:54,206 It's gonna get snowy. 680 00:31:54,306 --> 00:31:57,206 Today he has to carry paying passengers 681 00:31:57,306 --> 00:32:00,339 on a high-speed tour, delivering them to checkpoints 682 00:32:00,439 --> 00:32:02,272 ahead of the racers. 683 00:32:02,372 --> 00:32:03,439 So, this is why I like this job, 684 00:32:03,539 --> 00:32:04,472 is 'cause we get to do a lot 685 00:32:04,572 --> 00:32:06,172 of really unique, interesting things 686 00:32:06,272 --> 00:32:08,239 that nobody else gets to do with airplanes. 687 00:32:09,539 --> 00:32:11,939 We have until sunset. 688 00:32:12,039 --> 00:32:13,972 To stay on schedule, 689 00:32:14,072 --> 00:32:16,872 Riley has to complete a trip of over 100 miles 690 00:32:16,972 --> 00:32:20,039 with two snow landings in three hours. 691 00:32:20,139 --> 00:32:22,506 We're gonna load up, fly down to Willow, 692 00:32:22,606 --> 00:32:24,639 and then we'll walk across the street 693 00:32:24,739 --> 00:32:26,739 to watch the Iditarod start, and then take off 694 00:32:26,839 --> 00:32:28,839 and we'll follow the Iditarod Trail for, like, 695 00:32:28,939 --> 00:32:30,872 20 minutes or so, and then we're gonna land 696 00:32:30,972 --> 00:32:33,139 on a strip that's packed out on the Yentna River 697 00:32:33,239 --> 00:32:35,372 to watch the dogs go by. 698 00:32:35,472 --> 00:32:37,372 It should be a really cool experience. 699 00:32:39,006 --> 00:32:40,572 The whole business depends 700 00:32:40,672 --> 00:32:43,939 on pulling off flights like this without a hitch. 701 00:32:44,039 --> 00:32:46,239 People have come from all over the country 702 00:32:46,339 --> 00:32:47,772 and all over the world and spending 703 00:32:47,872 --> 00:32:50,006 quite a bit of money to come hang out with us today 704 00:32:50,106 --> 00:32:51,472 and have this journey. 705 00:32:52,472 --> 00:32:53,772 For a front row seat to the action, 706 00:32:53,872 --> 00:32:57,706 customers are paying over $600 each. 707 00:32:57,806 --> 00:33:00,006 I'm here from the Kansas City area. 708 00:33:00,106 --> 00:33:01,739 I tried to come here in 2025, 709 00:33:01,839 --> 00:33:03,906 but the weather conditions just weren't right for us. 710 00:33:04,006 --> 00:33:06,872 I'm hoping, with this trip, we can finally make it happen. 711 00:33:07,872 --> 00:33:11,206 By noon, all passengers are ready to go. 712 00:33:11,306 --> 00:33:13,639 Photographers Hailey and Ryan 713 00:33:13,739 --> 00:33:17,106 are planning to capture a picture-perfect day. 714 00:33:17,206 --> 00:33:19,072 It's really important that we see 715 00:33:19,172 --> 00:33:22,172 the race today and see the mushers go by. 716 00:33:23,206 --> 00:33:24,206 Yeah, this event only happens 717 00:33:24,306 --> 00:33:25,372 once a year. 718 00:33:26,706 --> 00:33:28,606 From Talkeetna, the first leg 719 00:33:28,706 --> 00:33:31,006 is a 39-mile flight to Willow 720 00:33:31,106 --> 00:33:33,106 for the 2 p.m. start. 721 00:33:33,206 --> 00:33:35,272 They need to be airborne again by three 722 00:33:35,372 --> 00:33:37,839 to get shots of the race from the sky, 723 00:33:37,939 --> 00:33:41,939 then land at the Yentna River checkpoint by 4 p.m. 724 00:33:42,039 --> 00:33:44,239 to see the dogs crossing the line. 725 00:33:45,206 --> 00:33:47,606 For this race against the race, 726 00:33:47,706 --> 00:33:52,039 Riley's flying an icon of Alaskan aviation. 727 00:33:52,139 --> 00:33:54,806 The Otter is about the best ski plane 728 00:33:54,906 --> 00:33:57,939 that anybody has ever made and probably will ever make. 729 00:33:58,039 --> 00:33:59,506 ♪ upbeat music ♪ 730 00:33:59,606 --> 00:34:02,272 The De Havilland Otter is a winter specialist. 731 00:34:02,406 --> 00:34:07,306 It can switch midair between wheels and skis. 732 00:34:07,406 --> 00:34:11,306 The landing gear is reinforced with doubled aluminum plates 733 00:34:11,406 --> 00:34:13,472 and forged bolts 734 00:34:13,572 --> 00:34:17,972 to absorb landings on gravel, snow and ice. 735 00:34:20,438 --> 00:34:22,106 For as old as it is, it's in really, 736 00:34:22,206 --> 00:34:23,806 really good shape. 737 00:34:23,906 --> 00:34:26,505 Today's flight conditions look good. 738 00:34:26,606 --> 00:34:29,972 The challenge will be hitting the schedule. 739 00:34:30,072 --> 00:34:31,906 We want to beat the start to Willow 740 00:34:32,005 --> 00:34:33,739 and then beat the dogs out to Yentna. 741 00:34:33,839 --> 00:34:36,672 There's a huge amount of traffic that could slow us down 742 00:34:36,772 --> 00:34:38,639 and cause people to miss out 743 00:34:38,739 --> 00:34:40,339 on what they want to see. 744 00:34:40,438 --> 00:34:43,172 And with dozens of other planes in the air, 745 00:34:43,272 --> 00:34:45,639 the flying is gonna be tough. 746 00:34:45,739 --> 00:34:47,206 So, Alaska, 747 00:34:47,306 --> 00:34:49,906 unlike the Lower 48, we don't have a bunch 748 00:34:50,005 --> 00:34:51,706 of air traffic control towers. 749 00:34:51,806 --> 00:34:53,371 So there's no tower in Willow, 750 00:34:53,472 --> 00:34:55,005 so there'll be a lot of communication 751 00:34:55,106 --> 00:34:57,506 amongst our pilots to make sure everybody 752 00:34:57,606 --> 00:34:58,639 gets there safely. 753 00:34:58,739 --> 00:35:00,072 By 1 p.m., 754 00:35:00,172 --> 00:35:03,506 Riley is ready to start his takeoff run. 755 00:35:03,606 --> 00:35:04,572 Hey, good afternoon. 756 00:35:04,672 --> 00:35:07,672 Otter 424-Kilo-Tango taxi... Echo. 757 00:35:07,772 --> 00:35:09,372 Traffic in the pipeline. 758 00:35:09,472 --> 00:35:11,939 ♪ rock music ♪ 759 00:35:12,039 --> 00:35:13,439 The starting gun for the race 760 00:35:13,539 --> 00:35:16,272 fires in just 60 minutes. 761 00:35:24,206 --> 00:35:25,272 Okay. 762 00:35:25,372 --> 00:35:26,772 Here we go, every... 763 00:35:34,639 --> 00:35:36,672 ♪ upbeat rock music ♪ 764 00:35:40,839 --> 00:35:42,072 Hello. 765 00:35:44,539 --> 00:35:46,906 I'm showing, like, six minutes. 766 00:35:49,106 --> 00:35:53,306 Near Willow, air traffic suddenly picks up. 767 00:35:54,772 --> 00:35:57,306 Much more airplanes kind of coming up on our right. 768 00:35:57,406 --> 00:35:59,606 Riley maintains a holding pattern, 769 00:35:59,706 --> 00:36:03,139 while aircraft take turns landing on the runway. 770 00:36:04,106 --> 00:36:07,439 There's some more airplanes landing on the trail. 771 00:36:07,539 --> 00:36:10,172 Every extra plane is a potential delay, 772 00:36:10,272 --> 00:36:13,672 and the race starts in just 20 minutes. 773 00:36:13,772 --> 00:36:16,106 Oh, let's see. There's one, two, 774 00:36:16,206 --> 00:36:18,572 three, four, five, six. 775 00:36:18,672 --> 00:36:21,539 There's another airplane out there. 776 00:36:21,639 --> 00:36:22,972 We got airplanes all over the place. 777 00:36:24,572 --> 00:36:28,339 If we had to circle for an hour, 778 00:36:28,439 --> 00:36:30,472 they would not see the start. 779 00:36:35,538 --> 00:36:37,705 In the skies above Kodiak Island... 780 00:36:38,705 --> 00:36:42,471 ...the C-130 Coast Guard crew are on final approach 781 00:36:42,571 --> 00:36:45,271 for a rescue supply drop. 782 00:36:45,371 --> 00:36:47,438 Terrain ahead. 783 00:36:48,805 --> 00:36:50,671 It's gonna be fast. Inches matter. 784 00:36:50,771 --> 00:36:53,438 You can't miss, so these margins will be tight. 785 00:36:53,538 --> 00:36:54,838 Forking our way down. 786 00:36:54,938 --> 00:36:56,505 The ridge looks good. 787 00:36:56,605 --> 00:36:57,671 Thirty seconds, stand by. 788 00:36:57,771 --> 00:36:58,838 With crew certification 789 00:36:58,938 --> 00:37:00,505 hanging in the balance, 790 00:37:00,605 --> 00:37:03,471 dropmaster Rexxie gets ready for the shove 791 00:37:03,571 --> 00:37:06,338 that's the difference between a pass and a fail. 792 00:37:06,438 --> 00:37:07,638 Fifteen seconds, stand by. 793 00:37:07,738 --> 00:37:09,771 Roger, 15 seconds, stand by. 794 00:37:12,738 --> 00:37:13,738 Drop, drop, drop. 795 00:37:20,905 --> 00:37:23,371 - Bag on board. - Roger. 796 00:37:23,471 --> 00:37:25,771 On the ground, Lieutenant Justin Baker 797 00:37:25,871 --> 00:37:28,738 assesses whether the crew makes the grade. 798 00:37:33,338 --> 00:37:35,338 The C-130 team did really well. 799 00:37:35,438 --> 00:37:37,805 They put it within about 50 feet of where 800 00:37:37,905 --> 00:37:40,738 this marker was, so that's pretty exceptional. 801 00:37:40,838 --> 00:37:43,271 In a real situation here, this care package 802 00:37:43,371 --> 00:37:46,038 is absolutely vital to people's survival. 803 00:37:47,005 --> 00:37:50,038 The only thing left to do is for Justin 804 00:37:50,138 --> 00:37:53,738 to give his verdict to the C-130 team. 805 00:37:53,838 --> 00:37:55,638 Job well, well done today. 806 00:37:55,738 --> 00:37:57,305 - How about that? - Roger. 807 00:37:57,405 --> 00:37:59,405 Today's training has gone 808 00:37:59,505 --> 00:38:01,638 flawlessly, it couldn't be any better. 809 00:38:01,738 --> 00:38:04,438 Simulation complete. 810 00:38:04,538 --> 00:38:06,038 Nice job, everyone. 811 00:38:07,105 --> 00:38:08,538 With training complete, 812 00:38:08,638 --> 00:38:12,405 this crew is ready to fly into the storm. 813 00:38:12,505 --> 00:38:15,338 Here, everyone's very proud to be here and work hard. 814 00:38:15,438 --> 00:38:17,771 We're excited to execute those missions each and every day. 815 00:38:21,671 --> 00:38:23,938 ♪ suspenseful music ♪ 816 00:38:24,938 --> 00:38:27,771 Bush pilot Riley Martin is airborne, 817 00:38:27,871 --> 00:38:29,671 with paying passengers fired up 818 00:38:29,771 --> 00:38:33,538 to see the start of the Iditarod sled race. 819 00:38:33,638 --> 00:38:35,971 But the starter's gun fires in 20 minutes, 820 00:38:36,071 --> 00:38:38,505 and he's stuck in aerial traffic. 821 00:38:38,605 --> 00:38:40,371 Airplane flying the other way 822 00:38:40,471 --> 00:38:41,705 below us right now. 823 00:38:41,805 --> 00:38:43,505 Yeah, there's a bunch of them out there, 824 00:38:43,605 --> 00:38:46,405 and then there's a helicopter. 825 00:38:46,505 --> 00:38:48,971 Six more airplanes right there. 826 00:38:49,071 --> 00:38:51,638 We're waiting for the other airplanes 827 00:38:51,738 --> 00:38:54,571 to get landed and taxied off of the strip out of the way 828 00:38:54,671 --> 00:38:56,705 'cause there's only room for one of us at a time. 829 00:38:57,705 --> 00:39:01,038 Out here in the bush, there's no air traffic control. 830 00:39:01,171 --> 00:39:03,905 Riley has to spot other planes by eye 831 00:39:04,005 --> 00:39:05,705 and maneuver to avoid collisions. 832 00:39:05,805 --> 00:39:08,305 Four-Kilo-Tango, final three-one, Willow. 833 00:39:11,938 --> 00:39:14,905 ♪ tense music ♪ 834 00:39:15,005 --> 00:39:17,171 After ten minutes of circling, 835 00:39:17,271 --> 00:39:19,105 he spots an opening. 836 00:39:42,905 --> 00:39:46,605 The Otter touches down just before 2 p.m. 837 00:39:48,538 --> 00:39:50,005 All right, here we go, guys. 838 00:39:50,105 --> 00:39:52,038 - ♪ exciting music ♪ - His passengers 839 00:39:52,138 --> 00:39:53,638 have just minutes 840 00:39:53,738 --> 00:39:57,271 to get a position on the starting line. 841 00:39:57,371 --> 00:39:59,438 All right. We've got another musher 842 00:39:59,538 --> 00:40:01,038 who's gonna be coming up... 843 00:40:01,138 --> 00:40:03,105 We're super glad we made it 844 00:40:03,205 --> 00:40:05,038 to Willow this morning. 845 00:40:05,138 --> 00:40:07,205 Dogs are super excited, people are super excited. 846 00:40:07,305 --> 00:40:08,438 It's a good time. 847 00:40:08,538 --> 00:40:10,205 When the big moment comes... 848 00:40:10,305 --> 00:40:12,505 Three, two, one, go! 849 00:40:12,605 --> 00:40:14,238 The first musher 850 00:40:14,338 --> 00:40:16,171 on the trail in 2026, 851 00:40:16,271 --> 00:40:18,138 Iditarod 54. 852 00:40:18,238 --> 00:40:19,905 ...everyone is perfectly placed. 853 00:40:20,005 --> 00:40:22,671 Oh, man, it's absolutely incredible. 854 00:40:22,771 --> 00:40:24,238 The energy of that crowd, 855 00:40:24,338 --> 00:40:26,005 just unbelievable. 856 00:40:26,105 --> 00:40:27,971 By 3:15, the lead racers 857 00:40:28,071 --> 00:40:29,538 are on their way. 858 00:40:29,638 --> 00:40:32,038 Riley has 45 minutes to get the photographers 859 00:40:32,138 --> 00:40:34,038 their aerial action 860 00:40:34,138 --> 00:40:37,638 and get everyone on the ground for the next checkpoint. 861 00:40:37,738 --> 00:40:40,571 There's always a factor of timing at play 862 00:40:40,671 --> 00:40:43,138 with not knowing, like, how fast the dog teams are gonna go 863 00:40:43,238 --> 00:40:44,971 and if the plane's gonna make it there in time to see 864 00:40:45,071 --> 00:40:46,405 all the teams that we want to see. 865 00:40:46,505 --> 00:40:49,805 All right, does everybody have their seat belts on? 866 00:40:49,905 --> 00:40:51,938 ♪ rock music ♪ 867 00:40:53,671 --> 00:40:55,671 Once we take off, we'll get to see 868 00:40:55,771 --> 00:40:59,305 how far ahead of us the dogs are. 869 00:41:03,705 --> 00:41:06,205 Riley throttles up to the Otter's max speed 870 00:41:06,305 --> 00:41:08,571 of 160 miles per hour 871 00:41:08,671 --> 00:41:11,105 to catch the leading sled team. 872 00:41:12,838 --> 00:41:14,770 Trail's on our right right now, 873 00:41:14,771 --> 00:41:18,871 and we should start kind of seeing some dogs here and there. 874 00:41:19,838 --> 00:41:24,238 At 3:30, the first teams come into view. 875 00:41:24,338 --> 00:41:25,971 There's a team out on our right, 876 00:41:26,071 --> 00:41:29,438 out on the river, a little centipede of dogs out there. 877 00:41:29,538 --> 00:41:31,771 The trail's gonna transition off of our left-hand side here 878 00:41:31,871 --> 00:41:32,938 in just a minute. 879 00:41:33,038 --> 00:41:33,971 Are you guys able to... are you guys 880 00:41:34,071 --> 00:41:34,971 seeing 'em down there? 881 00:41:35,071 --> 00:41:36,705 - Yeah. - Okay, sweet. 882 00:41:36,805 --> 00:41:39,205 For the photographers to do their thing, 883 00:41:39,305 --> 00:41:41,905 Riley needs to fly slow. 884 00:41:42,005 --> 00:41:45,671 This is where the Otter comes into its own. 885 00:41:47,038 --> 00:41:49,805 He throttles all the way back to 80 miles per hour. 886 00:41:49,905 --> 00:41:51,805 But even at this low speed, 887 00:41:51,905 --> 00:41:54,138 the fat wings provide enough lift 888 00:41:54,238 --> 00:41:56,505 to keep the plane in the air. 889 00:41:56,605 --> 00:41:58,005 Think all the teams are moving 890 00:41:58,105 --> 00:41:59,871 at a pretty good clip right now, too. 891 00:42:01,471 --> 00:42:04,105 It's more fun once you get way out on the trail, 892 00:42:04,205 --> 00:42:07,071 'cause then you're really in the middle of nowhere. 893 00:42:07,171 --> 00:42:08,571 When you're out here, you get to see a little bit more 894 00:42:08,671 --> 00:42:10,071 of what the Iditarod is actually like, 895 00:42:10,171 --> 00:42:11,838 which is just the mushers 896 00:42:11,938 --> 00:42:14,138 out on the trail doing their thing. 897 00:42:18,071 --> 00:42:20,338 The snappers get some great shots from above. 898 00:42:22,171 --> 00:42:26,305 But all that time circling puts Riley behind the leaders. 899 00:42:26,405 --> 00:42:29,638 He now has just 20 minutes to overtake them 900 00:42:29,738 --> 00:42:32,771 and get his passengers on the ground at the Yentna checkpoint. 901 00:42:32,871 --> 00:42:35,471 We might be landing kind of right as the teams 902 00:42:35,571 --> 00:42:38,771 are getting to where we're landing at. 903 00:42:38,871 --> 00:42:41,571 The only viable landing spot out here 904 00:42:41,671 --> 00:42:44,371 is a narrow, frozen river. 905 00:42:44,471 --> 00:42:47,738 There is certainly less room for error 906 00:42:47,838 --> 00:42:49,571 than on a runway, 907 00:42:49,671 --> 00:42:52,738 so we got to make sure we're on our game. 908 00:42:52,838 --> 00:42:54,305 Otter Four-Kilo-Tango is just above 909 00:42:54,405 --> 00:42:55,771 the big bend of the Yentna. 910 00:42:55,871 --> 00:42:58,871 Turning final for a landing north on the Yentna. 911 00:42:59,838 --> 00:43:02,205 Riley's coming down on ice 912 00:43:02,305 --> 00:43:04,505 in a fully-laden plane. 913 00:43:04,605 --> 00:43:08,238 The friction of the skis slows the Otter down. 914 00:43:08,338 --> 00:43:10,838 For a full stop on the icy runway, 915 00:43:10,938 --> 00:43:13,471 he throws the propeller into reverse pitch. 916 00:43:24,138 --> 00:43:25,371 ♪ dramatic music ♪ 917 00:43:25,471 --> 00:43:26,505 Okay, here we are. 918 00:43:27,538 --> 00:43:28,538 Feeling great. 919 00:43:28,638 --> 00:43:30,071 Glad that we made it here 920 00:43:30,171 --> 00:43:33,671 in time just before the teams started to roll in. 921 00:43:33,771 --> 00:43:35,738 I think we got some good photos from today. 922 00:43:38,938 --> 00:43:41,005 For K2 Aviation, 923 00:43:41,105 --> 00:43:43,471 the season is off to a flying start, 924 00:43:43,571 --> 00:43:48,205 and customers have had an experience they won't forget. 925 00:43:48,305 --> 00:43:50,338 It's been everything I imagined it would be and more. 926 00:43:52,271 --> 00:43:53,471 Just absolutely unbelievable. 927 00:43:53,571 --> 00:43:57,538 You really get to see Alaska untamed, 928 00:43:57,638 --> 00:43:59,138 see it from the air. 929 00:43:59,238 --> 00:44:01,305 What's not to love about that? 930 00:44:08,470 --> 00:44:10,504 ♪ rock music ♪ 931 00:44:34,004 --> 00:44:36,037 ♪ "MTV Theme" plays ♪