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[narrator] Father and son pilots
fly explosive cargo...
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00:00:09,575 --> 00:00:12,509
[Doug] If something goes wrong,
you got a big problem.
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00:00:12,609 --> 00:00:13,875
...to save freezing miners.
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00:00:13,975 --> 00:00:15,375
[Ian]
We've literally got
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00:00:15,475 --> 00:00:17,175
a matter of hours
before we're having
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00:00:17,275 --> 00:00:18,709
to burn buildings to stay alive.
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[narrator] Mechanics race
to fix a grounded airliner...
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00:00:23,075 --> 00:00:25,042
[Austin] Oh, no, dude.
These are stripping.
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...to reunite families.
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I'm having a baby. First one.
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[narrator]
And the U.S. Coast Guard
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00:00:30,375 --> 00:00:32,542
turns the mighty
Hercules transport
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into a bomber...
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[Kevin] It's gonna be fast.
You can't miss.
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...to deliver
lifesaving supplies...
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- Drop, drop, drop.
- ...in deadly conditions.
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[computer voice]
Terrain ahead.
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[narrator]
Anchorage International Airport.
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[controller]
1-8-0, clear for takeoff.
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[narrator] Gateway
to America's last frontier.
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[man] It's just so pristine
and beautiful.
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It's got to get
your blood pumping.
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[narrator]
More than 700 airfields
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hammered by Arctic snowstorms
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and freezing temperatures.
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That's everyday life
up here in Alaska.
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[narrator]
From the Arctic Circle...
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There's a bear out there
somewhere, Dan.
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[Kevin] We're taking
an aircraft in the sky,
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and we're not guaranteed
to come home.
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...to the edge of America.
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We are going to the ends
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of the earth.
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[narrator] It takes a team
of stone-cold operators...
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[woman]
I think
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Alaska attracts
a certain type of person.
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[man 2]
We are our only option out here.
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Plane breaks, we have to fix it.
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[man 3] Make sure
everything's buckled up.
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It could be kind of bumpy.
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All right.
Kick her into high gear.
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[narrator]
...to face off against Alaska...
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[controller]
Inbound emergency aircraft.
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Everybody get out of my way.
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Ho, ho, ho, ho!
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She can't come in anymore.
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[bleep]
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...and get the job done.
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[Robert]
It really is
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a champagne cork moment.
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We'll go warm up
and have a cold beer.
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[narrator]
This is Ice Airport Alaska.
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♪ rock music ♪
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The Alaskan wilderness is rich
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with the raw materials
that power modern America.
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But the most valuable ground
is also the hardest
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to reach.
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00:02:23,809 --> 00:02:27,442
These remote mines drive
a $4 billion dollar industry,
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and some sit hundreds of miles
from the nearest road.
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- Out here...
- [wolf howling]
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...if you can't fly it in,
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you go without.
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♪ lively music ♪
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How long are those probes?
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- About two inches or something?
- [Jacoby] Yeah.
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[narrator] The mines
rely on aviation businesses
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like Glenn Air.
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[Doug]
We do a lot
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of mine exploration support,
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oil field exploration support,
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00:03:02,809 --> 00:03:03,742
fuel flying.
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And that's our primary business.
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That needs pushed up.
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Boy, that's for sure.
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[narrator]
At Palmer Airport,
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veteran bush pilot Doug Glenn
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is getting ready
for his next mission,
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a fuel delivery
to a mining camp.
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If the camp
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wasn't able to get fuel,
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they'd have to shut
the things down.
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I mean, we're--
we are the lifeline
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00:03:26,042 --> 00:03:27,775
that keeps the camp going.
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[narrator]
For Doug and his son Jacoby,
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00:03:33,675 --> 00:03:36,842
the day begins at 8 a.m.,
making final checks
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00:03:36,942 --> 00:03:41,075
to their customized
Dromader M-18 aircraft.
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00:03:41,175 --> 00:03:42,942
♪ rock music ♪
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The Flying Camel was born in the
late 1970s as a crop sprayer,
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00:03:49,509 --> 00:03:52,009
but a 1,000-shaft
horsepower engine
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00:03:52,109 --> 00:03:54,409
with the ability
to fly low and slow
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00:03:54,509 --> 00:03:56,375
makes it perfect for Alaska.
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[Doug]
It's a tail wheel airplane,
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00:03:59,775 --> 00:04:01,075
and it works great for landing
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00:04:01,175 --> 00:04:03,309
on unimproved airstrips.
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00:04:03,409 --> 00:04:04,842
Real heavy and at slow speed,
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00:04:04,942 --> 00:04:06,742
it's a great-feeling airplane.
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[narrator]
With a few modifications,
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00:04:09,442 --> 00:04:12,209
the big hopper,
designed to carry pesticide,
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00:04:12,309 --> 00:04:14,409
does a great job carrying fuel.
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00:04:14,509 --> 00:04:16,075
[Doug]
The bulk tank is right there,
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00:04:16,175 --> 00:04:18,509
and that tank is 630 gallons.
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00:04:18,608 --> 00:04:21,209
So, from right here
at this angle
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00:04:21,309 --> 00:04:23,809
all the way back
to the cockpit is tank.
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[narrator]
On today's mission,
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00:04:25,409 --> 00:04:28,109
two aircraft
will carry 1,200 gallons
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00:04:28,209 --> 00:04:31,309
of highly flammable
Jet A fuel.
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00:04:31,409 --> 00:04:33,775
[Doug] The load is shaped
in such a manner
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00:04:33,875 --> 00:04:36,942
it keeps your center of gravity
over the center of the wing
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00:04:37,042 --> 00:04:40,375
and it just allows you to keep
the airplane under control.
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♪ tense music ♪
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[narrator] The destination
for today's flight
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00:04:44,442 --> 00:04:47,809
is a remote mine
called Whiskey Bravo.
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From Palmer Airport,
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it's a 140-mile journey
northwest
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00:04:52,242 --> 00:04:54,675
across the Alaska Range.
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[wind blowing]
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♪ rock music ♪
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00:05:01,909 --> 00:05:06,509
And Camp Whiskey Bravo
is no ordinary operation.
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[man] Antimony isn't found
in a lot of places in the U.S.,
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00:05:09,609 --> 00:05:10,875
but...
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00:05:10,975 --> 00:05:12,342
we've got it here.
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[narrator] This is one
of just two places
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00:05:14,975 --> 00:05:17,375
in the U.S.
where antimony is mined.
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As a hardening agent,
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00:05:19,575 --> 00:05:22,975
it's used in everything
from batteries to bullets.
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00:05:23,075 --> 00:05:24,242
[Ian]
What we're doing here
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00:05:24,342 --> 00:05:26,209
is trying to find
critical minerals
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00:05:26,309 --> 00:05:28,342
that our Department of Defense
uses, making weapons
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00:05:28,442 --> 00:05:30,442
as well as cell phones.
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00:05:33,175 --> 00:05:34,675
Everything's always a pain
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in the butt out here.
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[narrator] For camp manager Ian
and his crew,
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00:05:39,975 --> 00:05:41,742
winter is a test of endurance.
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00:05:44,742 --> 00:05:47,575
We woke up this morning.
It was about 12 to 15 below.
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00:05:47,675 --> 00:05:49,275
And, uh, as a result,
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00:05:49,375 --> 00:05:52,209
we have freezing water
in our restrooms and showers.
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00:05:53,209 --> 00:05:57,709
[narrator] The miners have just
48 hours of fuel supplies left.
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00:05:57,809 --> 00:05:59,542
[Ian] Within a few days,
everything will be froze up.
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00:05:59,642 --> 00:06:02,242
So we have
to have fossil fuels here
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00:06:02,342 --> 00:06:03,942
to, uh, keep this place running.
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00:06:04,942 --> 00:06:06,409
Without them,
we can't run our generators.
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00:06:06,509 --> 00:06:07,975
We can't run our equipment.
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00:06:08,075 --> 00:06:11,309
So fuel is really what
makes this place go.
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00:06:11,409 --> 00:06:13,175
♪ tense music ♪
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00:06:21,709 --> 00:06:23,409
[Doug]
I'm gonna go outside,
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00:06:23,509 --> 00:06:24,675
see what it looks like.
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[narrator]
At Palmer, Doug and Jacoby
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00:06:26,975 --> 00:06:29,609
are ready for takeoff at 9 a.m.
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00:06:31,375 --> 00:06:34,509
But conditions on the runway
aren't looking good.
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00:06:35,509 --> 00:06:39,209
[Doug] The risk is
severe turbulence and then
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00:06:39,309 --> 00:06:41,009
landing on these slick runways.
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00:06:42,542 --> 00:06:43,975
Hey, Ian.
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00:06:44,075 --> 00:06:46,309
We got 45 knots
or so winds here,
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00:06:46,409 --> 00:06:48,775
and it's just not gonna work out
to come out today.
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00:06:48,875 --> 00:06:50,142
And I know you need your fuel,
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00:06:50,242 --> 00:06:53,142
but we will give it a shot
tomorrow.
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00:06:54,142 --> 00:06:56,509
We got flammable cargo on board.
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00:06:56,609 --> 00:06:58,109
It's not worth the risk.
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00:06:58,209 --> 00:06:59,775
♪ dramatic music ♪
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00:06:59,875 --> 00:07:01,575
[Ian]
Without the fuel,
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00:07:01,675 --> 00:07:02,675
the whole place is shut down,
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00:07:02,775 --> 00:07:04,509
and we're calling
for an emergency evac.
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00:07:04,609 --> 00:07:05,809
That's just the way it's going.
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00:07:10,642 --> 00:07:11,842
♪ dramatic music ♪
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00:07:11,942 --> 00:07:14,675
[narrator] The Aleutian port
of Dutch Harbor
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00:07:14,775 --> 00:07:17,342
is the heart
of the U.S. fishing industry,
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00:07:17,442 --> 00:07:21,142
harvesting 60%
of the nation's seafood.
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00:07:23,375 --> 00:07:25,375
The fishermen sailing from here
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00:07:25,475 --> 00:07:28,675
brave some
of the world's deadliest seas.
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00:07:28,775 --> 00:07:31,542
And when they run
into trouble...
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...there's only one place
to turn:
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00:07:35,909 --> 00:07:40,442
the United States Coast Guard
Kodiak Air Station.
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00:07:41,509 --> 00:07:44,042
[Kevin] The weather here
can be disastrous.
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00:07:44,142 --> 00:07:46,109
So if someone needs help,
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00:07:46,209 --> 00:07:48,609
we have to get on scene
as quick as possible.
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♪ intriguing music ♪
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00:07:53,742 --> 00:07:56,975
[narrator]
Lieutenant Commander Kevin Knaup
178
00:07:57,075 --> 00:08:01,842
is a veteran pilot with nine
years flying search and rescue.
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00:08:01,942 --> 00:08:03,275
[Kevin]
Here at Kodiak,
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00:08:03,375 --> 00:08:04,609
it's so dangerous,
we don't take new guys.
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00:08:04,709 --> 00:08:07,175
And so it's another three years
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00:08:07,275 --> 00:08:09,075
to get qualified to upgrade
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00:08:09,175 --> 00:08:10,775
and to be able to execute
these missions safely.
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00:08:10,875 --> 00:08:13,975
[narrator] In an environment
this challenging,
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00:08:14,075 --> 00:08:17,409
everyone needs to have
their skills on point.
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00:08:17,509 --> 00:08:18,575
[Kevin] We're doing a bunch
of good training today.
187
00:08:18,675 --> 00:08:22,542
We're gonna be doing
some drops to the beach.
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00:08:25,742 --> 00:08:30,141
[narrator] Today is test day for
Kevin and his seven-person crew.
189
00:08:30,142 --> 00:08:31,742
They need to make a drop
190
00:08:31,842 --> 00:08:33,741
of emergency supplies
from the back of a plane
191
00:08:33,842 --> 00:08:37,741
within 500 feet of
a simulated shipwreck survivor.
192
00:08:39,075 --> 00:08:40,609
[Kevin]
It's a huge team effort.
193
00:08:40,708 --> 00:08:41,909
I might be flying the aircraft,
194
00:08:42,009 --> 00:08:43,475
doing the timing,
195
00:08:43,575 --> 00:08:45,975
but all of it depends
on the whole team.
196
00:08:46,075 --> 00:08:48,109
[narrator] Dropmaster
Rexxie Clark is responsible
197
00:08:48,209 --> 00:08:51,675
for launching the rescue package
in today's training.
198
00:08:51,775 --> 00:08:54,675
It's extremely important
that we keep our skills up.
199
00:08:54,775 --> 00:08:57,509
It could be life or death
for somebody.
200
00:08:57,609 --> 00:08:59,309
It's a lot of stress,
a lot of worry.
201
00:08:59,409 --> 00:09:01,309
♪ tense music ♪
202
00:09:01,409 --> 00:09:03,942
[narrator] The target
for today's drop is a beach
203
00:09:04,042 --> 00:09:07,742
in Chiniak Bay on the east coast
of the island,
204
00:09:07,842 --> 00:09:10,409
close to Kashevaroff Mountain.
205
00:09:10,509 --> 00:09:13,509
[Kevin] Today's scenario
will bring us close to terrain.
206
00:09:13,609 --> 00:09:15,275
Most of our search
and rescue cases here
207
00:09:15,375 --> 00:09:16,409
are in the wide open ocean,
208
00:09:16,509 --> 00:09:18,142
so we might have to make
a few adjustments,
209
00:09:18,242 --> 00:09:20,042
and those can only come
with experience.
210
00:09:21,042 --> 00:09:22,209
[narrator]
On a mission like this,
211
00:09:22,309 --> 00:09:25,575
there's only one aircraft
for the job.
212
00:09:25,675 --> 00:09:28,275
The mighty Super Hercules
C-130J.
213
00:09:28,842 --> 00:09:30,875
♪ rock music ♪
214
00:09:32,942 --> 00:09:36,542
[narrator]
The HC-130J Super Hercules
215
00:09:36,675 --> 00:09:38,942
is a triple-threat
rescue aircraft.
216
00:09:40,309 --> 00:09:43,909
Purpose-built to act
as aerial command,
217
00:09:44,009 --> 00:09:45,809
conduct long-range surveillance,
218
00:09:45,909 --> 00:09:48,709
and drop rescue personnel
and supplies
219
00:09:48,809 --> 00:09:51,075
into the danger zone.
220
00:09:55,809 --> 00:09:57,942
[Kevin] I can remember
exactly what it was like
221
00:09:58,042 --> 00:09:59,642
flying this aircraft
for the first time.
222
00:09:59,742 --> 00:10:00,942
We don't take it lightly
223
00:10:01,042 --> 00:10:02,942
that we're taking an aircraft
in the sky
224
00:10:03,042 --> 00:10:04,542
and we're not guaranteed
to come home.
225
00:10:04,642 --> 00:10:07,575
[Jon] Door checks
are complete. Roger.
226
00:10:07,675 --> 00:10:09,375
[Rexxie]
Doors are closed and checked.
227
00:10:09,475 --> 00:10:10,509
Clearing for takeoff.
228
00:10:10,609 --> 00:10:11,809
Checks are complete.
229
00:10:11,909 --> 00:10:13,575
♪ energetic music ♪
230
00:10:13,675 --> 00:10:15,409
[narrator]
For takeoff, Kevin throttles
231
00:10:15,509 --> 00:10:18,409
the 130,000-pound Hercules
232
00:10:18,509 --> 00:10:21,809
up to 115 miles per hour.
233
00:10:23,375 --> 00:10:24,342
All right, positive read.
234
00:10:24,442 --> 00:10:26,009
Gear up. Just a bump.
235
00:10:26,109 --> 00:10:29,375
[narrator] They climb
to an altitude of 1,000 feet
236
00:10:29,475 --> 00:10:33,075
to survey the bay for signs
of a distress victim.
237
00:10:33,175 --> 00:10:34,175
[Kevin]
We're just scoping out
238
00:10:34,275 --> 00:10:35,709
what we've got
to work with up here.
239
00:10:40,542 --> 00:10:41,875
[narrator]
On the ground,
240
00:10:41,975 --> 00:10:45,142
Lieutenant Justin Baker
plays the shipwreck survivor
241
00:10:45,242 --> 00:10:48,942
and will also report
on the crew's drop performance.
242
00:10:49,042 --> 00:10:52,009
[Justin] They have about 50
square miles going from a cove
243
00:10:52,109 --> 00:10:53,309
all the way across
244
00:10:53,409 --> 00:10:54,609
to the far cove over there.
245
00:10:54,709 --> 00:10:55,709
And then, from there,
they're gonna drop
246
00:10:55,809 --> 00:10:56,909
a care package for me.
247
00:10:57,009 --> 00:10:57,909
[Kevin]
There's somebody
248
00:10:58,009 --> 00:10:59,209
on the beach, maybe.
249
00:10:59,309 --> 00:11:01,209
There's a big SOS.
250
00:11:01,309 --> 00:11:02,442
SOS, huh?
251
00:11:02,542 --> 00:11:03,909
Awesome.
252
00:11:04,009 --> 00:11:05,942
It looks like we found him.
253
00:11:08,309 --> 00:11:10,775
♪ tense music ♪
254
00:11:11,775 --> 00:11:14,842
[narrator] A 2,000-foot-high
mountain just behind the beach
255
00:11:14,942 --> 00:11:17,642
complicates the approach
for any rescue.
256
00:11:18,642 --> 00:11:20,075
It's very challenging
conditions.
257
00:11:20,175 --> 00:11:22,975
[narrator] Flying toward
mountains is dangerous,
258
00:11:23,075 --> 00:11:26,342
so the pilots decide
to circle behind the beach
259
00:11:26,442 --> 00:11:28,542
and approach from inland.
260
00:11:28,642 --> 00:11:31,109
I'd rather fly
with falling terrain
261
00:11:31,209 --> 00:11:32,809
than I would rising terrain.
262
00:11:32,909 --> 00:11:34,475
[narrator]
The first job is to pinpoint
263
00:11:34,575 --> 00:11:36,609
the survivor's position.
264
00:11:36,709 --> 00:11:39,675
Kevin brings the Hercules down
to 500 feet
265
00:11:39,775 --> 00:11:41,609
to drop a flare.
266
00:11:41,709 --> 00:11:43,475
[Rexxie] All right,
we're ready in the back.
267
00:11:43,575 --> 00:11:44,909
[Kevin]
Restraint harness.
268
00:11:45,009 --> 00:11:46,342
- Cargo, check.
- [Jon] Cargo ramp
269
00:11:46,442 --> 00:11:47,342
- and door.
- All right, so,
270
00:11:47,442 --> 00:11:48,875
pretty sure you're clear to open
271
00:11:48,975 --> 00:11:50,142
- cargo ramp and door.
- Roger,
272
00:11:50,275 --> 00:11:52,109
opening the ramp and door.
Aux pump on.
273
00:11:53,775 --> 00:11:55,209
[narrator]
Opening the rear door
274
00:11:55,309 --> 00:11:57,209
creates drag for the aircraft,
275
00:11:57,309 --> 00:12:00,575
so Kevin powers up
to compensate.
276
00:12:00,675 --> 00:12:02,742
Throttle's going 150.
277
00:12:08,575 --> 00:12:10,709
We're about one minute out.
278
00:12:10,809 --> 00:12:11,809
[Rexxie]
Roger,
279
00:12:11,909 --> 00:12:13,209
one minute out.
280
00:12:13,309 --> 00:12:14,609
The biggest thing
I'm listening for
281
00:12:14,709 --> 00:12:17,009
is I'm listening for the calls
that the pilots give us
282
00:12:17,109 --> 00:12:18,975
to let us know, like,
when we're 30 seconds out
283
00:12:19,075 --> 00:12:20,975
or 15 seconds out.
284
00:12:21,075 --> 00:12:25,009
[narrator] The flare burns
only on contact with seawater.
285
00:12:25,109 --> 00:12:27,942
If the crew mistime
the drop and hit land,
286
00:12:28,042 --> 00:12:29,142
it won't ignite
287
00:12:29,242 --> 00:12:31,542
and will fail
to mark the target.
288
00:12:32,875 --> 00:12:33,842
Thirty-second standby.
289
00:12:33,942 --> 00:12:35,142
[Rexxie]
Roger. 30-second standby.
290
00:12:36,142 --> 00:12:39,942
[narrator] Pulling the pin out
primes the 11-pound flare.
291
00:12:40,042 --> 00:12:41,375
Fifteen-second standby.
292
00:12:41,475 --> 00:12:42,875
Roger. 15-second standby.
293
00:12:42,975 --> 00:12:45,342
[narrator]
The C-130 travels 1,000 feet
294
00:12:45,442 --> 00:12:47,109
every six seconds.
295
00:12:47,209 --> 00:12:51,309
So dropping the flare on target
demands perfect timing.
296
00:12:51,409 --> 00:12:53,109
♪ exciting music ♪
297
00:12:53,209 --> 00:12:55,409
Spike expected.
298
00:12:55,509 --> 00:12:57,442
[Kevin]
Drop, drop, drop.
299
00:13:06,541 --> 00:13:08,241
[narrator]
At Camp Whiskey Bravo,
300
00:13:08,341 --> 00:13:10,208
after a day of weather delay,
301
00:13:10,308 --> 00:13:13,708
fuel reserves
are down to 24 hours.
302
00:13:13,808 --> 00:13:14,741
[Ian]
The generator
303
00:13:14,841 --> 00:13:16,441
goes down
because we're out of fuel,
304
00:13:16,541 --> 00:13:18,141
we've literally got
a matter of hours
305
00:13:18,241 --> 00:13:20,641
before we're having to burn
buildings to stay alive.
306
00:13:22,508 --> 00:13:24,108
♪ exciting music ♪
307
00:13:24,208 --> 00:13:25,474
[Doug]
We all set?
308
00:13:25,574 --> 00:13:27,641
- Yeah, I got it.
- Okay.
309
00:13:27,741 --> 00:13:28,841
[narrator]
At Palmer,
310
00:13:28,974 --> 00:13:30,874
Doug and Jacoby
are getting ready
311
00:13:30,974 --> 00:13:34,808
for their next attempt to make
the highly flammable delivery.
312
00:13:34,908 --> 00:13:36,174
[Doug]
It's risky.
313
00:13:36,274 --> 00:13:38,741
It's dangerous out there.
'Cause if something goes wrong
314
00:13:38,841 --> 00:13:41,508
in the middle of nowhere,
you got a big problem.
315
00:13:43,574 --> 00:13:45,274
[narrator]
They'll need to make it today
316
00:13:45,374 --> 00:13:46,808
or the camp will shut down.
317
00:13:49,974 --> 00:13:51,741
Palmer Traffic, 3-Bravo-Golf
318
00:13:51,841 --> 00:13:52,941
taking 1-0 at November.
319
00:13:53,041 --> 00:13:56,274
Be a right turnout
far to the west.
320
00:13:57,274 --> 00:14:00,641
[narrator] Each Dromader carries
more than two tons of fuel.
321
00:14:00,741 --> 00:14:04,208
The extra weight makes
the plane hard to handle.
322
00:14:04,308 --> 00:14:06,341
♪ rock music ♪
323
00:14:07,474 --> 00:14:09,908
[Doug] I keep the plane
fairly flat on takeoff.
324
00:14:10,008 --> 00:14:11,341
I lift off the ground
325
00:14:11,441 --> 00:14:13,108
about 110 knots
326
00:14:13,208 --> 00:14:14,508
and try to get up to 125,
327
00:14:14,608 --> 00:14:17,174
30 knots by the end
of the runway,
328
00:14:17,274 --> 00:14:21,274
and then you can power back up
in the 150-knot range.
329
00:14:21,374 --> 00:14:23,941
Looks good to go. Beautiful.
330
00:14:30,808 --> 00:14:32,841
♪ tense music ♪
331
00:14:34,108 --> 00:14:36,941
[narrator] Just a few minutes
after takeoff,
332
00:14:37,041 --> 00:14:38,874
the guys hit trouble.
333
00:14:45,541 --> 00:14:47,241
[narrator] The only way
to avoid the turbulence
334
00:14:47,341 --> 00:14:48,841
is to climb above it.
335
00:14:48,941 --> 00:14:50,241
But this kind of flying
336
00:14:50,341 --> 00:14:53,474
isn't what a crop sprayer
was built to do.
337
00:15:09,541 --> 00:15:12,441
[narrator] They have to get
all the way to 3,500 feet
338
00:15:12,541 --> 00:15:14,674
to reach clean air.
339
00:15:21,774 --> 00:15:23,741
♪ somber music ♪
340
00:15:25,308 --> 00:15:27,641
After 40 minutes of struggle,
341
00:15:27,741 --> 00:15:29,841
the mine's runway
comes into view.
342
00:15:44,641 --> 00:15:46,974
[narrator] Now they face
the moment of truth:
343
00:15:47,074 --> 00:15:51,441
bringing down a flying bomb
on a dirt airstrip.
344
00:15:56,308 --> 00:15:59,308
[Doug] Coming into Whiskey Bravo
with a full tank full of fuel,
345
00:15:59,408 --> 00:16:01,974
you got to keep everything
lined up down the runway.
346
00:16:02,074 --> 00:16:03,408
It's definitely slippery,
347
00:16:03,508 --> 00:16:05,474
and braking is pretty nil.
348
00:16:06,441 --> 00:16:07,674
You just got to stay on track.
349
00:16:07,774 --> 00:16:09,541
There's no room for error.
350
00:16:14,308 --> 00:16:16,508
[controller] Anchorage Tower,
Runway 33. Clear to land.
351
00:16:16,608 --> 00:16:18,641
♪ up-tempo music ♪
352
00:16:20,341 --> 00:16:22,074
[narrator]
Anchorage International Airport
353
00:16:22,174 --> 00:16:26,608
averages more than 1,000
takeoffs and landings per day.
354
00:16:29,474 --> 00:16:32,941
Those flights carry
more than 12,000 passengers,
355
00:16:33,041 --> 00:16:34,541
whatever the weather.
356
00:16:34,641 --> 00:16:36,541
Brenda, you're good. Thank you.
357
00:16:36,641 --> 00:16:38,208
- How you doing?
- Almost half of them
358
00:16:38,308 --> 00:16:39,508
fly with Alaska Airlines.
359
00:16:39,608 --> 00:16:41,708
- Okay.
- Keeping them on track
360
00:16:41,808 --> 00:16:45,374
is the job of gate agents
like Daryl Stephens.
361
00:16:45,474 --> 00:16:47,541
Group A,
you're welcome to board.
362
00:16:47,641 --> 00:16:49,641
I started work
363
00:16:49,774 --> 00:16:51,574
at 3 in the afternoon.
364
00:16:51,674 --> 00:16:54,841
I get off at 1:30
in the morning.
365
00:16:54,941 --> 00:16:56,974
And it's been a long day.
366
00:16:57,074 --> 00:16:58,908
[narrator]
It's 11 p.m.,
367
00:16:59,008 --> 00:17:02,274
and Daryl's setting up
for the last big job this shift:
368
00:17:02,374 --> 00:17:04,374
the midnight flight to Seattle.
369
00:17:04,473 --> 00:17:06,008
[Daryl]
For your red-eyes,
370
00:17:06,108 --> 00:17:08,040
they're important
to start on time,
371
00:17:08,141 --> 00:17:11,641
because passengers do have
connection times in Seattle.
372
00:17:12,608 --> 00:17:15,174
[narrator] Gavin Anderson
has been away from his family
373
00:17:15,273 --> 00:17:17,074
for months.
374
00:17:17,174 --> 00:17:18,340
[Gavin]
I really need to get back
375
00:17:18,441 --> 00:17:20,608
to the people back home.
376
00:17:21,840 --> 00:17:24,208
There's some family
that I haven't seen.
377
00:17:24,308 --> 00:17:25,773
Final destination is
378
00:17:25,874 --> 00:17:27,374
Arkansas. But to get there,
379
00:17:27,473 --> 00:17:28,574
I have to go from Anchorage
380
00:17:28,674 --> 00:17:32,241
to Seattle and then from Seattle
to Dallas
381
00:17:32,341 --> 00:17:34,174
and then from Dallas to Memphis.
382
00:17:34,274 --> 00:17:37,108
And then that's where I get off
and drive back to Arkansas.
383
00:17:37,208 --> 00:17:38,708
[narrator]
For all the passengers,
384
00:17:38,808 --> 00:17:42,074
delays here have
real-life consequences.
385
00:17:43,041 --> 00:17:44,874
I'm having a baby.
386
00:17:44,974 --> 00:17:47,374
First one. I'm pretty excited.
387
00:17:47,474 --> 00:17:49,774
I just hope I'm gonna
make it home, you know?
388
00:17:51,108 --> 00:17:53,508
[narrator]
Out on the ramp, the Boeing 737
389
00:17:53,608 --> 00:17:56,708
is going through
its final checks for the flight.
390
00:17:57,674 --> 00:17:59,441
♪ lively music ♪
391
00:17:59,541 --> 00:18:03,574
The 737 is a workhorse
of global aviation.
392
00:18:03,674 --> 00:18:08,374
At any moment, there are
almost 300 of them in the sky.
393
00:18:09,974 --> 00:18:14,574
Alaska Airlines has 248
of the aircraft in their fleet.
394
00:18:18,341 --> 00:18:21,441
But they don't fly
until mechanical lead
395
00:18:21,541 --> 00:18:24,441
Hunter Brooks signs them off.
396
00:18:25,408 --> 00:18:26,741
We'll do a walk-around on that,
397
00:18:26,841 --> 00:18:28,174
make sure that everything is
398
00:18:28,274 --> 00:18:32,341
shipshape. And usually
they don't have an issue.
399
00:18:32,441 --> 00:18:34,708
[narrator] One hour
before scheduled departure,
400
00:18:34,808 --> 00:18:38,108
the maintenance crew
gets the call nobody wants.
401
00:18:38,208 --> 00:18:39,941
Austin, this is
maintenance lead.
402
00:18:40,041 --> 00:18:41,208
Go for Austin.
403
00:18:41,308 --> 00:18:42,774
Hey, pilots on a walk-around,
404
00:18:42,874 --> 00:18:44,908
found, uh, damage
on the nose tires.
405
00:18:45,008 --> 00:18:47,008
Uh, 4565.
Can you check that out?
406
00:18:47,108 --> 00:18:48,941
Copy that. I'll be on my way.
407
00:18:49,474 --> 00:18:53,474
[narrator] A pilot has spotted
worn tread on the nose wheels.
408
00:18:53,574 --> 00:18:55,308
[Hunter]
Tread on a tire actually is
409
00:18:55,408 --> 00:18:57,374
very important
for moving snow, slush,
410
00:18:57,474 --> 00:18:59,641
rain away from the tire
and allowing
411
00:18:59,741 --> 00:19:00,641
that tire to meet traction.
412
00:19:00,741 --> 00:19:03,441
So if a nose gear doesn't have
413
00:19:03,541 --> 00:19:05,674
the tread,
it will lose steering,
414
00:19:05,774 --> 00:19:07,008
and it could
415
00:19:07,108 --> 00:19:08,608
veer off the runway.
416
00:19:10,708 --> 00:19:13,141
[narrator] Gate Agent Daryl
breaks the bad news
417
00:19:13,241 --> 00:19:14,341
to the people waiting.
418
00:19:14,441 --> 00:19:17,008
This is Flight 110
going to Seattle.
419
00:19:17,108 --> 00:19:18,208
Sorry about
the maintenance delay
420
00:19:18,308 --> 00:19:19,808
that we are having right now.
421
00:19:19,908 --> 00:19:21,808
We will take care of each
and every one of you.
422
00:19:22,841 --> 00:19:24,474
[narrator]
For passengers like Gavin
423
00:19:24,574 --> 00:19:27,541
and Jared,
the potential delay hits hard.
424
00:19:27,641 --> 00:19:29,941
Missing the one connection
425
00:19:30,041 --> 00:19:34,608
has cost me about two days of,
uh, time I can spend back home.
426
00:19:34,708 --> 00:19:36,374
It makes me anxious
just thinking
427
00:19:36,474 --> 00:19:38,074
about what all
could happen next.
428
00:19:38,174 --> 00:19:40,241
[Jared] I just hope
I make it home, you know?
429
00:19:40,341 --> 00:19:41,641
It's not the plane ride
I'm scared of.
430
00:19:41,741 --> 00:19:43,541
I just want to make it home.
431
00:19:43,641 --> 00:19:45,341
♪ percussive music ♪
432
00:19:48,873 --> 00:19:50,373
[controller] Traffic Tower,
six miles out on Runway 33,
433
00:19:50,473 --> 00:19:52,507
- clear for takeoff.
- ♪ intriguing music ♪
434
00:19:54,740 --> 00:19:57,807
[narrator] It's 11:30
at Anchorage International,
435
00:19:57,907 --> 00:20:00,440
and the midnight flight
to Seattle should be boarding.
436
00:20:01,407 --> 00:20:05,207
But a worn nose wheel tire
threatens to delay it.
437
00:20:06,207 --> 00:20:08,607
Oh, yeah. It's warm today.
It's 12 degrees.
438
00:20:08,707 --> 00:20:10,507
[Jesse]
Twelve degrees Fahrenheit.
439
00:20:10,607 --> 00:20:14,607
[narrator] Mechanics Jesse
and Austin are on the scene.
440
00:20:14,707 --> 00:20:19,007
They have 30 minutes to replace
the 737's nose wheels.
441
00:20:20,340 --> 00:20:22,607
We're about to jack up
the nose of the aircraft
442
00:20:22,707 --> 00:20:24,173
to go change these tires out.
443
00:20:24,273 --> 00:20:26,473
We're only jacking it up
444
00:20:26,573 --> 00:20:28,340
so the nose tires
are just barely off the ground.
445
00:20:28,440 --> 00:20:29,807
We'll be able to pull them out.
446
00:20:30,807 --> 00:20:33,840
[narrator] When you're dealing
with a 90,000-pound aircraft,
447
00:20:33,940 --> 00:20:37,573
changing a tire doesn't work
like a NASCAR pit stop.
448
00:20:37,673 --> 00:20:41,507
The wheels on a 737
are over 200 PSI...
449
00:20:41,607 --> 00:20:43,207
[Jesse]
All right, Austin.
450
00:20:43,307 --> 00:20:46,440
...more than six times
the pressure on a car tire.
451
00:20:47,407 --> 00:20:49,373
Gonna get a little loud. We're
gonna have to deflate the tire.
452
00:20:49,473 --> 00:20:51,507
[air deflating]
453
00:20:52,940 --> 00:20:55,107
Okay, tire's deflated.
454
00:20:55,207 --> 00:20:59,973
I'm taking the, uh, axle nut out
so we can remove the tire.
455
00:21:00,073 --> 00:21:01,407
[Jesse]
Yeah, I love airplanes.
456
00:21:01,507 --> 00:21:03,473
I've always liked them
since I was really little.
457
00:21:03,573 --> 00:21:05,307
We have to be pretty fluid
with our jobs.
458
00:21:05,407 --> 00:21:07,007
There's so many parts
on these airplanes,
459
00:21:07,107 --> 00:21:08,340
and anything could go wrong.
460
00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:10,473
[narrator]
In perfect conditions,
461
00:21:10,573 --> 00:21:13,807
a wheel change should take
around 20 minutes.
462
00:21:13,907 --> 00:21:17,040
But Alaskan weather
is hard on components.
463
00:21:17,140 --> 00:21:19,973
[Austin] Oh, no, dude.
These are stripping.
464
00:21:20,940 --> 00:21:22,973
It looks like the small bolts
465
00:21:23,073 --> 00:21:25,507
holding on the nut on the axle
there is stripping,
466
00:21:25,607 --> 00:21:27,973
so we'll have to get that out
and get a new, uh...
467
00:21:28,073 --> 00:21:30,107
bolt right there.
468
00:21:30,207 --> 00:21:34,307
[narrator] Removing a stripped
bolt requires another tool,
469
00:21:34,407 --> 00:21:36,973
and it's back in the workshop.
470
00:21:37,973 --> 00:21:39,807
It is gonna set us back
a little bit.
471
00:21:39,907 --> 00:21:41,507
♪ tense music ♪
472
00:21:41,607 --> 00:21:45,107
[narrator] In the terminal,
it's now 11:45 p.m.,
473
00:21:45,207 --> 00:21:47,340
and Gavin is watching the clock.
474
00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:50,507
I can't afford any more delays.
475
00:21:50,607 --> 00:21:53,107
I can always get back money.
476
00:21:53,207 --> 00:21:54,540
I can get back
anything material.
477
00:21:54,640 --> 00:21:56,373
I can't get back time.
478
00:21:57,373 --> 00:21:58,807
[Daryl]
We have passengers who are
479
00:21:58,907 --> 00:22:02,040
getting, uh, kind of concerned
about their connecting flights.
480
00:22:02,140 --> 00:22:03,673
I just look at the passengers
481
00:22:03,773 --> 00:22:04,873
and see that
they're all stressed.
482
00:22:06,773 --> 00:22:08,107
I don't want that.
483
00:22:09,173 --> 00:22:10,340
[narrator]
Out on the runway,
484
00:22:10,440 --> 00:22:13,640
the guys now have
the tools they need.
485
00:22:13,740 --> 00:22:14,973
[Austin]
Looks fine, so we'll have to put
486
00:22:15,073 --> 00:22:17,707
the new wheel assembly on there.
487
00:22:25,140 --> 00:22:26,840
This is a new hardware
488
00:22:26,940 --> 00:22:29,840
that's going on here to secure
the wheel nut on there.
489
00:22:29,940 --> 00:22:32,607
[narrator]
But the work isn't finished yet.
490
00:22:33,573 --> 00:22:36,040
I'm gonna grab the nitrogen cart
so we can fill the tires up.
491
00:22:37,340 --> 00:22:38,507
[narrator]
To remain stable
492
00:22:38,607 --> 00:22:40,473
under extreme
temperature changes,
493
00:22:40,573 --> 00:22:45,240
aircraft tires have to be filled
with 100% pure nitrogen.
494
00:22:45,340 --> 00:22:48,207
We inflate them to, uh, 210 PSI.
495
00:22:48,307 --> 00:22:51,073
It does vary
on different aircraft.
496
00:22:51,173 --> 00:22:52,240
It is a lot.
497
00:22:52,340 --> 00:22:55,173
The tires under
or over pressure,
498
00:22:55,307 --> 00:22:57,540
you can get uneven tread wear
and a possible blowout
499
00:22:57,640 --> 00:22:59,007
from the tires.
500
00:23:00,473 --> 00:23:02,840
Yeah, we're gonna go ahead
and lower the aircraft down.
501
00:23:02,940 --> 00:23:05,007
[narrator]
At five minutes to midnight,
502
00:23:05,107 --> 00:23:08,207
the mechanics
lower the 45-ton plane
503
00:23:08,307 --> 00:23:10,040
back onto the tarmac.
504
00:23:10,140 --> 00:23:11,440
[Austin] We're looking
good here. We're all done.
505
00:23:11,540 --> 00:23:12,807
We're just cleaning up now.
506
00:23:14,340 --> 00:23:17,940
[narrator] Right on time,
this bird is ready to fly.
507
00:23:18,907 --> 00:23:20,940
Safety is really important
in our job because
508
00:23:21,040 --> 00:23:22,707
anything that could happen
on these airplanes,
509
00:23:22,807 --> 00:23:24,507
a lot of people's lives
510
00:23:24,607 --> 00:23:25,773
are in our hands.
511
00:23:28,807 --> 00:23:31,507
[narrator]
Taking off on schedule
512
00:23:31,607 --> 00:23:34,473
takes the pressure off
for Gavin and Jared,
513
00:23:34,573 --> 00:23:36,840
but they still have two
very different journeys ahead.
514
00:23:36,940 --> 00:23:38,173
[Gavin]
It's been a long wait,
515
00:23:38,273 --> 00:23:40,607
and I'm about to have to
get going here in a second.
516
00:23:40,707 --> 00:23:42,773
We got past this,
but I still got, like,
517
00:23:42,873 --> 00:23:44,140
two more flights to go.
518
00:23:44,240 --> 00:23:45,373
- Here you go.
- [gate agent] Thank you, Gavin.
519
00:23:45,473 --> 00:23:46,940
You're all set.
520
00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:49,307
[Jared]
I'm glad to be on this flight.
521
00:23:49,407 --> 00:23:50,673
I'm super excited.
522
00:23:50,773 --> 00:23:52,440
I'm gonna get
to see my baby girl.
523
00:23:52,540 --> 00:23:54,007
Thank you, Jared.
524
00:24:01,273 --> 00:24:04,207
♪ rock music ♪
525
00:24:04,307 --> 00:24:06,273
[narrator] Five hundred feet
above the North Pacific,
526
00:24:06,373 --> 00:24:09,173
Coast Guard pilot Kevin Knaup
and his crew
527
00:24:09,273 --> 00:24:11,840
are on a flight assessment
528
00:24:11,940 --> 00:24:15,240
to certify them
for real-life rescue missions.
529
00:24:15,340 --> 00:24:16,707
Drop, drop, drop.
530
00:24:16,807 --> 00:24:18,607
[Rexxie]
Drop's away.
531
00:24:22,007 --> 00:24:23,640
[Jon]
That's a good drop.
532
00:24:23,740 --> 00:24:25,340
[Kevin]
Sweet.
533
00:24:27,940 --> 00:24:29,773
All right, coming up.
534
00:24:30,740 --> 00:24:33,740
Clears about, I don't know,
100 yards off the beach.
535
00:24:36,173 --> 00:24:38,907
We'll take a circle,
get our look-sees
536
00:24:39,007 --> 00:24:40,773
at that flare,
537
00:24:40,873 --> 00:24:41,840
then we'll come back in.
538
00:24:41,940 --> 00:24:43,173
[narrator]
The flare acts
539
00:24:43,273 --> 00:24:45,673
as a beacon in low visibility,
540
00:24:45,773 --> 00:24:47,673
and the trail of smoke
tells the pilot
541
00:24:47,773 --> 00:24:49,673
about wind conditions
on the ground
542
00:24:49,773 --> 00:24:53,107
so he can compensate for drift.
543
00:24:53,207 --> 00:24:54,540
[Kevin] Yeah, it's like
eight to ten knots
544
00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:56,407
on quartering tailwind.
545
00:25:00,007 --> 00:25:03,607
Observing all the other things,
looking good.
546
00:25:03,707 --> 00:25:05,640
[narrator]
The pilots circle around
547
00:25:05,740 --> 00:25:08,073
to line up for the final drop.
548
00:25:08,173 --> 00:25:12,073
Rexxie readies the 50-pound
package of survival gear.
549
00:25:12,173 --> 00:25:14,907
It has to land within 200 feet
550
00:25:15,007 --> 00:25:17,707
of the simulated casualty.
551
00:25:17,807 --> 00:25:21,040
To aid accuracy,
Kevin slows the plane
552
00:25:21,140 --> 00:25:24,940
to 120 miles per hour
and drops altitude.
553
00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:27,507
[Kevin] Typically,
we fly very high and fast.
554
00:25:27,607 --> 00:25:31,007
Today we'll be operating
at the margins of the aircraft
555
00:25:31,107 --> 00:25:33,740
to get as low and as slow
as possible.
556
00:25:34,773 --> 00:25:36,773
All right, and flying.
557
00:25:36,873 --> 00:25:38,540
I'll s-slow it down
and go on down.
558
00:25:38,640 --> 00:25:40,540
[narrator]
At this speed, the Hercules
559
00:25:40,640 --> 00:25:43,307
is close
to an aerodynamic stall.
560
00:25:43,407 --> 00:25:46,673
Without enough airflow
over the wings to generate lift,
561
00:25:46,773 --> 00:25:49,073
it would drop out of the sky.
562
00:25:49,173 --> 00:25:51,040
Speed checks, flaps.
563
00:25:51,140 --> 00:25:52,740
All right, center data.
564
00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:54,373
Speed dash, check.
565
00:25:54,473 --> 00:25:56,640
Flaps are coming to 69.
566
00:25:56,740 --> 00:25:59,873
[narrator] Copilot Jon Resch
monitors airspeed.
567
00:25:59,973 --> 00:26:02,440
Hold that
and you should be okay.
568
00:26:02,540 --> 00:26:03,907
There's no pride in the cockpit.
569
00:26:04,007 --> 00:26:06,473
Uh, when it comes to two pilots,
both your lives are at stake.
570
00:26:06,573 --> 00:26:08,873
[narrator] When they get
the signal from Kevin,
571
00:26:08,973 --> 00:26:11,440
Rexxie and Tyler
have less than a second
572
00:26:11,540 --> 00:26:14,040
to launch
the 50-pound rescue package
573
00:26:14,140 --> 00:26:15,873
off the edge of the ramp.
574
00:26:16,907 --> 00:26:18,240
The hardest part's
gonna be getting down,
575
00:26:18,340 --> 00:26:20,173
'cause you've got to get down
200 feet with your timing.
576
00:26:20,273 --> 00:26:22,773
[narrator]
On final approach for the drop,
577
00:26:22,873 --> 00:26:25,140
the ground
is the biggest hazard.
578
00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:27,073
Got that tower in sight.
579
00:26:27,173 --> 00:26:28,573
I'll keep that in my view.
580
00:26:29,607 --> 00:26:31,340
[computer voice]
Terrain ahead.
581
00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:33,307
[Jon] Biggest concern as
we're coming over that terrain
582
00:26:33,407 --> 00:26:34,307
is-is, our wingspan's
583
00:26:34,407 --> 00:26:35,807
132 feet.
584
00:26:35,907 --> 00:26:38,473
So when you're flying
over terrain at 200 feet,
585
00:26:38,573 --> 00:26:40,740
it's not much to dip a wing
586
00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:43,207
and have that turn into
a pretty bad day pretty quick.
587
00:26:46,573 --> 00:26:48,607
[computer voice]
Terrain ahead.
588
00:26:49,607 --> 00:26:51,640
Terrain ahead.
589
00:26:56,572 --> 00:26:58,606
♪ atmospheric music ♪
590
00:27:00,139 --> 00:27:02,139
All right, boys,
Doug's gonna be coming in hot.
591
00:27:02,239 --> 00:27:06,572
We need to get this pump cooked
so we can turn and burn.
592
00:27:07,572 --> 00:27:09,606
[narrator] In the foothills
of the Alaska Range,
593
00:27:09,706 --> 00:27:13,206
Camp Whiskey Bravo's
manager Ian is preparing
594
00:27:13,306 --> 00:27:14,939
for his fuel delivery.
595
00:27:15,039 --> 00:27:16,772
[Ian]
So, when it gets below zero,
596
00:27:16,872 --> 00:27:18,906
we have to bring up this heater
to cook the pump
597
00:27:19,006 --> 00:27:22,472
to warm it up so the oil
won't be so thick and it'll run.
598
00:27:22,572 --> 00:27:24,439
That way we can get these,
uh, tanks topped back off
599
00:27:24,539 --> 00:27:26,706
with this precious fuel
that we need.
600
00:27:28,306 --> 00:27:30,406
[narrator]
At an altitude of 3,000 feet,
601
00:27:30,506 --> 00:27:34,406
Doug and his son Jacoby
get ready to land.
602
00:27:34,506 --> 00:27:37,406
[Doug] These planes are not
set up to go on instruments.
603
00:27:37,506 --> 00:27:39,906
You just got to keep
your eyes moving.
604
00:27:40,006 --> 00:27:42,472
Your depth perception
gets wiped out,
605
00:27:42,572 --> 00:27:44,472
and you can't see
how high you are.
606
00:27:44,572 --> 00:27:47,006
You could be 50 feet
and you think you're ten,
607
00:27:47,106 --> 00:27:48,639
and it's a problem.
608
00:27:50,406 --> 00:27:52,372
[narrator]
Each plane carries 600 gallons
609
00:27:52,472 --> 00:27:56,072
of potentially explosive fuel...
610
00:27:56,172 --> 00:27:59,006
and they're coming down
on a rough dirt strip
611
00:27:59,106 --> 00:28:01,706
covered in ice and snow.
612
00:28:01,806 --> 00:28:03,472
♪ suspenseful music ♪
613
00:28:09,672 --> 00:28:11,739
[narrator]
As the less experienced pilot,
614
00:28:11,839 --> 00:28:14,339
Jacoby starts
his approach first,
615
00:28:14,439 --> 00:28:17,972
so he'll be able to use
the full length of the runway.
616
00:28:23,672 --> 00:28:26,639
[narrator] He turns the aircraft
into the headwind.
617
00:28:31,172 --> 00:28:33,806
[Doug] You always want to land
into the wind if you can,
618
00:28:33,906 --> 00:28:36,972
because that enables you
to get rid of some ground speed
619
00:28:37,072 --> 00:28:38,406
on touchdowns.
620
00:28:42,872 --> 00:28:45,506
Three-Bravo-Golf,
final and south.
621
00:28:49,239 --> 00:28:51,506
[narrator] In the final moments
before touchdown,
622
00:28:51,606 --> 00:28:53,606
Jacoby has to push
the stick forward
623
00:28:53,706 --> 00:28:56,539
for the front wheels
to come down first,
624
00:28:56,639 --> 00:28:58,972
shifting the balance
of the plane.
625
00:29:00,839 --> 00:29:02,272
[Doug]
When you're on short final,
626
00:29:02,372 --> 00:29:04,939
you just got to make sure
everything's lined up good
627
00:29:05,039 --> 00:29:06,272
and touch down
as smooth as you can,
628
00:29:06,372 --> 00:29:08,472
and especially on the ice.
629
00:29:17,972 --> 00:29:20,906
[Ian] Jesus, he got her
on the ground quick.
630
00:29:22,272 --> 00:29:25,306
[narrator] As soon as
Jacoby's down, it's Doug's turn.
631
00:29:25,406 --> 00:29:27,006
And with one plane parked,
632
00:29:27,106 --> 00:29:29,639
he's got less runway
to play with.
633
00:29:29,739 --> 00:29:31,172
[Ian]
There's Doug.
634
00:29:31,272 --> 00:29:34,806
[Doug] You have a fairly
steep descent onto the runway,
635
00:29:34,906 --> 00:29:36,806
and you just drive
the airplane right down
636
00:29:36,906 --> 00:29:39,772
until you're gonna touch down.
637
00:29:45,439 --> 00:29:47,406
[Ian]
Oh, yeah!
638
00:29:49,406 --> 00:29:51,439
♪ upbeat music ♪
639
00:29:55,006 --> 00:29:56,539
- Hey, Ian.
- Hey, Doug. How's it going, bud?
640
00:29:56,639 --> 00:29:57,872
- Good. How are you doing?
- Good.
641
00:29:57,972 --> 00:29:59,206
- Good.
- Glad to see you
642
00:29:59,306 --> 00:30:00,506
make it with
some fuel today, boy.
643
00:30:00,606 --> 00:30:02,539
Yeah, yeah. You guys
going through some jet fuel?
644
00:30:02,639 --> 00:30:03,706
Oh, we're burning it.
645
00:30:03,806 --> 00:30:05,439
- We're burning it.
- All right.
646
00:30:05,539 --> 00:30:07,272
[Ian] Well, luckily,
despite the weather,
647
00:30:07,372 --> 00:30:09,272
uh, the Glenn Air boys made it
648
00:30:09,372 --> 00:30:11,139
and brought us
another 1,200 gallons
649
00:30:11,239 --> 00:30:13,839
of precious fuel that we need
to keep this operation going.
650
00:30:13,939 --> 00:30:16,639
Wow, good thing you got
a talented pilot, huh?
651
00:30:16,739 --> 00:30:18,272
- [Doug] Yeah, yeah.
- [Ian] Now we're looking good,
652
00:30:18,372 --> 00:30:19,572
and, uh,
653
00:30:19,672 --> 00:30:20,572
we're just looking forward
654
00:30:20,672 --> 00:30:22,139
to keep drilling, baby, drilling.
655
00:30:23,906 --> 00:30:25,472
- Well, awesome. Thanks, Doug.
- All right, buddy.
656
00:30:25,572 --> 00:30:26,839
- Appreciate you.
- Yeah, fly safe out there.
657
00:30:26,939 --> 00:30:28,239
- We'll see you.
- Okay. All right.
658
00:30:28,339 --> 00:30:29,572
Jacoby, thank you, buddy.
659
00:30:29,672 --> 00:30:31,306
- We'll see you later.
- [Jacoby] See you.
660
00:30:31,406 --> 00:30:35,739
[Doug] Ooh, this is the worst
part of it right here for me,
661
00:30:35,839 --> 00:30:37,772
getting in and out
of this damn thing.
662
00:30:37,872 --> 00:30:39,472
♪ upbeat music ♪
663
00:30:39,572 --> 00:30:41,672
[narrator]
Thanks to Glenn Air,
664
00:30:41,806 --> 00:30:44,539
Whiskey Bravo
is back in business,
665
00:30:44,639 --> 00:30:47,206
mining for America's future.
666
00:30:47,306 --> 00:30:49,339
[Doug]
They're happy to have fuel,
667
00:30:49,439 --> 00:30:51,672
and we're happy
to get it there to 'em.
668
00:30:58,406 --> 00:31:01,872
[starter]
Five, four, three,
669
00:31:01,972 --> 00:31:04,372
two, one, go.
670
00:31:04,472 --> 00:31:05,806
[barking]
671
00:31:05,906 --> 00:31:08,406
[announcer speaks indistinctly]
672
00:31:08,506 --> 00:31:09,939
[whooping]
673
00:31:10,972 --> 00:31:13,339
[narrator]
The Iditarod,
674
00:31:13,439 --> 00:31:17,906
a thousand-mile race
across ice, snow and tundra,
675
00:31:18,006 --> 00:31:21,939
is the ultimate test
of endurance for man and dog.
676
00:31:22,039 --> 00:31:26,106
For Alaskans, it's the biggest
sporting event of the year.
677
00:31:26,206 --> 00:31:28,872
The winner can claim
over $80,000
678
00:31:28,972 --> 00:31:31,639
in prize money.
679
00:31:31,739 --> 00:31:34,439
And today is race day.
680
00:31:35,939 --> 00:31:37,272
♪ easygoing rock music ♪
681
00:31:37,372 --> 00:31:40,739
For businesses like K2 Aviation,
682
00:31:40,839 --> 00:31:43,072
it marks the start
of the flying season.
683
00:31:44,872 --> 00:31:47,239
At Talkeetna Airport,
684
00:31:47,339 --> 00:31:52,272
bush pilot Riley Martin begins
prep for race day at 8 a.m.
685
00:31:52,372 --> 00:31:54,206
[Riley]
It's gonna get snowy.
686
00:31:54,306 --> 00:31:57,206
[narrator] Today he has
to carry paying passengers
687
00:31:57,306 --> 00:32:00,339
on a high-speed tour,
delivering them to checkpoints
688
00:32:00,439 --> 00:32:02,272
ahead of the racers.
689
00:32:02,372 --> 00:32:03,439
[Riley]
So, this is why I like this job,
690
00:32:03,539 --> 00:32:04,472
is 'cause we get to do a lot
691
00:32:04,572 --> 00:32:06,172
of really unique,
interesting things
692
00:32:06,272 --> 00:32:08,239
that nobody else
gets to do with airplanes.
693
00:32:09,539 --> 00:32:11,939
We have until sunset.
694
00:32:12,039 --> 00:32:13,972
[narrator]
To stay on schedule,
695
00:32:14,072 --> 00:32:16,872
Riley has to complete
a trip of over 100 miles
696
00:32:16,972 --> 00:32:20,039
with two snow landings
in three hours.
697
00:32:20,139 --> 00:32:22,506
[Riley] We're gonna load up,
fly down to Willow,
698
00:32:22,606 --> 00:32:24,639
and then we'll walk
across the street
699
00:32:24,739 --> 00:32:26,739
to watch the Iditarod start,
and then take off
700
00:32:26,839 --> 00:32:28,839
and we'll follow
the Iditarod Trail for, like,
701
00:32:28,939 --> 00:32:30,872
20 minutes or so,
and then we're gonna land
702
00:32:30,972 --> 00:32:33,139
on a strip that's packed out
on the Yentna River
703
00:32:33,239 --> 00:32:35,372
to watch the dogs go by.
704
00:32:35,472 --> 00:32:37,372
It should be
a really cool experience.
705
00:32:39,006 --> 00:32:40,572
[narrator]
The whole business depends
706
00:32:40,672 --> 00:32:43,939
on pulling off flights
like this without a hitch.
707
00:32:44,039 --> 00:32:46,239
[Sarah] People have come
from all over the country
708
00:32:46,339 --> 00:32:47,772
and all over the world
and spending
709
00:32:47,872 --> 00:32:50,006
quite a bit of money
to come hang out with us today
710
00:32:50,106 --> 00:32:51,472
and have this journey.
711
00:32:52,472 --> 00:32:53,772
[narrator] For a front row seat
to the action,
712
00:32:53,872 --> 00:32:57,706
customers are paying
over $600 each.
713
00:32:57,806 --> 00:33:00,006
[Daniel] I'm here
from the Kansas City area.
714
00:33:00,106 --> 00:33:01,739
I tried to come here in 2025,
715
00:33:01,839 --> 00:33:03,906
but the weather conditions
just weren't right for us.
716
00:33:04,006 --> 00:33:06,872
I'm hoping, with this trip,
we can finally make it happen.
717
00:33:07,872 --> 00:33:11,206
[narrator] By noon,
all passengers are ready to go.
718
00:33:11,306 --> 00:33:13,639
Photographers Hailey and Ryan
719
00:33:13,739 --> 00:33:17,106
are planning to capture
a picture-perfect day.
720
00:33:17,206 --> 00:33:19,072
[Hailey] It's really
important that we see
721
00:33:19,172 --> 00:33:22,172
the race today
and see the mushers go by.
722
00:33:23,206 --> 00:33:24,206
[Ryan]
Yeah, this event only happens
723
00:33:24,306 --> 00:33:25,372
once a year.
724
00:33:26,706 --> 00:33:28,606
[narrator]
From Talkeetna, the first leg
725
00:33:28,706 --> 00:33:31,006
is a 39-mile flight to Willow
726
00:33:31,106 --> 00:33:33,106
for the 2 p.m. start.
727
00:33:33,206 --> 00:33:35,272
They need to be
airborne again by three
728
00:33:35,372 --> 00:33:37,839
to get shots of the race
from the sky,
729
00:33:37,939 --> 00:33:41,939
then land at the Yentna River
checkpoint by 4 p.m.
730
00:33:42,039 --> 00:33:44,239
to see the dogs
crossing the line.
731
00:33:45,206 --> 00:33:47,606
For this race against the race,
732
00:33:47,706 --> 00:33:52,039
Riley's flying
an icon of Alaskan aviation.
733
00:33:52,139 --> 00:33:54,806
[Riley] The Otter
is about the best ski plane
734
00:33:54,906 --> 00:33:57,939
that anybody has ever made
and probably will ever make.
735
00:33:58,039 --> 00:33:59,506
♪ upbeat music ♪
736
00:33:59,606 --> 00:34:02,272
[narrator] The De Havilland
Otter is a winter specialist.
737
00:34:02,406 --> 00:34:07,306
It can switch midair
between wheels and skis.
738
00:34:07,406 --> 00:34:11,306
The landing gear is reinforced
with doubled aluminum plates
739
00:34:11,406 --> 00:34:13,472
and forged bolts
740
00:34:13,572 --> 00:34:17,972
to absorb landings
on gravel, snow and ice.
741
00:34:20,438 --> 00:34:22,106
[Riley] For as old as it is,
it's in really,
742
00:34:22,206 --> 00:34:23,806
really good shape.
743
00:34:23,906 --> 00:34:26,505
[narrator] Today's
flight conditions look good.
744
00:34:26,606 --> 00:34:29,972
The challenge will be
hitting the schedule.
745
00:34:30,072 --> 00:34:31,906
[Riley] We want to beat
the start to Willow
746
00:34:32,005 --> 00:34:33,739
and then beat the dogs
out to Yentna.
747
00:34:33,839 --> 00:34:36,672
There's a huge amount of traffic
that could slow us down
748
00:34:36,772 --> 00:34:38,639
and cause people to miss out
749
00:34:38,739 --> 00:34:40,339
on what they want to see.
750
00:34:40,438 --> 00:34:43,172
[narrator] And with dozens
of other planes in the air,
751
00:34:43,272 --> 00:34:45,639
the flying is gonna be tough.
752
00:34:45,739 --> 00:34:47,206
[Sarah]
So, Alaska,
753
00:34:47,306 --> 00:34:49,906
unlike the Lower 48,
we don't have a bunch
754
00:34:50,005 --> 00:34:51,706
of air traffic control towers.
755
00:34:51,806 --> 00:34:53,371
So there's no tower in Willow,
756
00:34:53,472 --> 00:34:55,005
so there'll be a lot
of communication
757
00:34:55,106 --> 00:34:57,506
amongst our pilots
to make sure everybody
758
00:34:57,606 --> 00:34:58,639
gets there safely.
759
00:34:58,739 --> 00:35:00,072
[narrator]
By 1 p.m.,
760
00:35:00,172 --> 00:35:03,506
Riley is ready
to start his takeoff run.
761
00:35:03,606 --> 00:35:04,572
[Riley]
Hey, good afternoon.
762
00:35:04,672 --> 00:35:07,672
Otter 424-Kilo-Tango
taxi... Echo.
763
00:35:07,772 --> 00:35:09,372
Traffic in the pipeline.
764
00:35:09,472 --> 00:35:11,939
♪ rock music ♪
765
00:35:12,039 --> 00:35:13,439
[narrator]
The starting gun for the race
766
00:35:13,539 --> 00:35:16,272
fires in just 60 minutes.
767
00:35:24,206 --> 00:35:25,272
[Riley]
Okay.
768
00:35:25,372 --> 00:35:26,772
Here we go, every...
769
00:35:34,639 --> 00:35:36,672
♪ upbeat rock music ♪
770
00:35:40,839 --> 00:35:42,072
Hello.
771
00:35:44,539 --> 00:35:46,906
I'm showing, like, six minutes.
772
00:35:49,106 --> 00:35:53,306
[narrator] Near Willow,
air traffic suddenly picks up.
773
00:35:54,772 --> 00:35:57,306
Much more airplanes
kind of coming up on our right.
774
00:35:57,406 --> 00:35:59,606
[narrator] Riley maintains
a holding pattern,
775
00:35:59,706 --> 00:36:03,139
while aircraft take turns
landing on the runway.
776
00:36:04,106 --> 00:36:07,439
There's some more airplanes
landing on the trail.
777
00:36:07,539 --> 00:36:10,172
[narrator] Every extra plane
is a potential delay,
778
00:36:10,272 --> 00:36:13,672
and the race starts
in just 20 minutes.
779
00:36:13,772 --> 00:36:16,106
[Riley]
Oh, let's see. There's one, two,
780
00:36:16,206 --> 00:36:18,572
three, four, five, six.
781
00:36:18,672 --> 00:36:21,539
There's another airplane
out there.
782
00:36:21,639 --> 00:36:22,972
We got airplanes
all over the place.
783
00:36:24,572 --> 00:36:28,339
If we had to circle for an hour,
784
00:36:28,439 --> 00:36:30,472
they would not see the start.
785
00:36:35,538 --> 00:36:37,705
[narrator] In the skies
above Kodiak Island...
786
00:36:38,705 --> 00:36:42,471
...the C-130 Coast Guard crew
are on final approach
787
00:36:42,571 --> 00:36:45,271
for a rescue supply drop.
788
00:36:45,371 --> 00:36:47,438
[computer voice]
Terrain ahead.
789
00:36:48,805 --> 00:36:50,671
[Kevin] It's gonna be fast.
Inches matter.
790
00:36:50,771 --> 00:36:53,438
You can't miss,
so these margins will be tight.
791
00:36:53,538 --> 00:36:54,838
Forking our way down.
792
00:36:54,938 --> 00:36:56,505
The ridge looks good.
793
00:36:56,605 --> 00:36:57,671
Thirty seconds, stand by.
794
00:36:57,771 --> 00:36:58,838
[narrator]
With crew certification
795
00:36:58,938 --> 00:37:00,505
hanging in the balance,
796
00:37:00,605 --> 00:37:03,471
dropmaster Rexxie
gets ready for the shove
797
00:37:03,571 --> 00:37:06,338
that's the difference
between a pass and a fail.
798
00:37:06,438 --> 00:37:07,638
Fifteen seconds, stand by.
799
00:37:07,738 --> 00:37:09,771
[Rexxie]
Roger, 15 seconds, stand by.
800
00:37:12,738 --> 00:37:13,738
Drop, drop, drop.
801
00:37:20,905 --> 00:37:23,371
- [Rexxie] Bag on board.
- Roger.
802
00:37:23,471 --> 00:37:25,771
[narrator] On the ground,
Lieutenant Justin Baker
803
00:37:25,871 --> 00:37:28,738
assesses whether the crew
makes the grade.
804
00:37:33,338 --> 00:37:35,338
[Justin]
The C-130 team did really well.
805
00:37:35,438 --> 00:37:37,805
They put it
within about 50 feet of where
806
00:37:37,905 --> 00:37:40,738
this marker was,
so that's pretty exceptional.
807
00:37:40,838 --> 00:37:43,271
In a real situation here,
this care package
808
00:37:43,371 --> 00:37:46,038
is absolutely vital
to people's survival.
809
00:37:47,005 --> 00:37:50,038
[narrator] The only thing
left to do is for Justin
810
00:37:50,138 --> 00:37:53,738
to give his verdict
to the C-130 team.
811
00:37:53,838 --> 00:37:55,638
[Justin]
Job well, well done today.
812
00:37:55,738 --> 00:37:57,305
- How about that?
- Roger.
813
00:37:57,405 --> 00:37:59,405
[Rexxie]
Today's training has gone
814
00:37:59,505 --> 00:38:01,638
flawlessly,
it couldn't be any better.
815
00:38:01,738 --> 00:38:04,438
[Kevin]
Simulation complete.
816
00:38:04,538 --> 00:38:06,038
Nice job, everyone.
817
00:38:07,105 --> 00:38:08,538
[narrator]
With training complete,
818
00:38:08,638 --> 00:38:12,405
this crew is ready
to fly into the storm.
819
00:38:12,505 --> 00:38:15,338
[Kevin] Here, everyone's very
proud to be here and work hard.
820
00:38:15,438 --> 00:38:17,771
We're excited to execute those
missions each and every day.
821
00:38:21,671 --> 00:38:23,938
♪ suspenseful music ♪
822
00:38:24,938 --> 00:38:27,771
[narrator] Bush pilot
Riley Martin is airborne,
823
00:38:27,871 --> 00:38:29,671
with paying passengers fired up
824
00:38:29,771 --> 00:38:33,538
to see the start
of the Iditarod sled race.
825
00:38:33,638 --> 00:38:35,971
But the starter's gun
fires in 20 minutes,
826
00:38:36,071 --> 00:38:38,505
and he's stuck
in aerial traffic.
827
00:38:38,605 --> 00:38:40,371
[Riley]
Airplane flying the other way
828
00:38:40,471 --> 00:38:41,705
below us right now.
829
00:38:41,805 --> 00:38:43,505
Yeah, there's
a bunch of them out there,
830
00:38:43,605 --> 00:38:46,405
and then there's a helicopter.
831
00:38:46,505 --> 00:38:48,971
Six more airplanes right there.
832
00:38:49,071 --> 00:38:51,638
We're waiting
for the other airplanes
833
00:38:51,738 --> 00:38:54,571
to get landed and taxied off
of the strip out of the way
834
00:38:54,671 --> 00:38:56,705
'cause there's only room
for one of us at a time.
835
00:38:57,705 --> 00:39:01,038
[narrator] Out here in the bush,
there's no air traffic control.
836
00:39:01,171 --> 00:39:03,905
Riley has to spot
other planes by eye
837
00:39:04,005 --> 00:39:05,705
and maneuver
to avoid collisions.
838
00:39:05,805 --> 00:39:08,305
Four-Kilo-Tango,
final three-one, Willow.
839
00:39:11,938 --> 00:39:14,905
♪ tense music ♪
840
00:39:15,005 --> 00:39:17,171
[narrator]
After ten minutes of circling,
841
00:39:17,271 --> 00:39:19,105
he spots an opening.
842
00:39:42,905 --> 00:39:46,605
The Otter touches down
just before 2 p.m.
843
00:39:48,538 --> 00:39:50,005
All right, here we go, guys.
844
00:39:50,105 --> 00:39:52,038
- ♪ exciting music ♪
- [narrator] His passengers
845
00:39:52,138 --> 00:39:53,638
have just minutes
846
00:39:53,738 --> 00:39:57,271
to get a position
on the starting line.
847
00:39:57,371 --> 00:39:59,438
[emcee] All right.
We've got another musher
848
00:39:59,538 --> 00:40:01,038
- who's gonna be coming up...
- [cheering]
849
00:40:01,138 --> 00:40:03,105
[Ryan]
We're super glad we made it
850
00:40:03,205 --> 00:40:05,038
to Willow this morning.
851
00:40:05,138 --> 00:40:07,205
Dogs are super excited,
people are super excited.
852
00:40:07,305 --> 00:40:08,438
It's a good time.
853
00:40:08,538 --> 00:40:10,205
[narrator]
When the big moment comes...
854
00:40:10,305 --> 00:40:12,505
[starter]
Three, two, one, go!
855
00:40:12,605 --> 00:40:14,238
[announcer]
The first musher
856
00:40:14,338 --> 00:40:16,171
on the trail in 2026,
857
00:40:16,271 --> 00:40:18,138
Iditarod 54.
858
00:40:18,238 --> 00:40:19,905
[narrator]
...everyone is perfectly placed.
859
00:40:20,005 --> 00:40:22,671
[Daniel] Oh, man,
it's absolutely incredible.
860
00:40:22,771 --> 00:40:24,238
The energy of that crowd,
861
00:40:24,338 --> 00:40:26,005
just unbelievable.
862
00:40:26,105 --> 00:40:27,971
[narrator]
By 3:15, the lead racers
863
00:40:28,071 --> 00:40:29,538
are on their way.
864
00:40:29,638 --> 00:40:32,038
Riley has 45 minutes
to get the photographers
865
00:40:32,138 --> 00:40:34,038
their aerial action
866
00:40:34,138 --> 00:40:37,638
and get everyone on the ground
for the next checkpoint.
867
00:40:37,738 --> 00:40:40,571
[Hailey] There's always a factor
of timing at play
868
00:40:40,671 --> 00:40:43,138
with not knowing, like, how
fast the dog teams are gonna go
869
00:40:43,238 --> 00:40:44,971
and if the plane's gonna
make it there in time to see
870
00:40:45,071 --> 00:40:46,405
all the teams
that we want to see.
871
00:40:46,505 --> 00:40:49,805
All right, does everybody
have their seat belts on?
872
00:40:49,905 --> 00:40:51,938
♪ rock music ♪
873
00:40:53,671 --> 00:40:55,671
Once we take off,
we'll get to see
874
00:40:55,771 --> 00:40:59,305
how far ahead of us
the dogs are.
875
00:41:03,705 --> 00:41:06,205
[narrator] Riley throttles up
to the Otter's max speed
876
00:41:06,305 --> 00:41:08,571
of 160 miles per hour
877
00:41:08,671 --> 00:41:11,105
to catch the leading sled team.
878
00:41:12,838 --> 00:41:14,770
[Riley]
Trail's on our right right now,
879
00:41:14,771 --> 00:41:18,871
and we should start kind of
seeing some dogs here and there.
880
00:41:19,838 --> 00:41:24,238
[narrator] At 3:30,
the first teams come into view.
881
00:41:24,338 --> 00:41:25,971
[Riley]
There's a team out on our right,
882
00:41:26,071 --> 00:41:29,438
out on the river, a little
centipede of dogs out there.
883
00:41:29,538 --> 00:41:31,771
The trail's gonna transition off
of our left-hand side here
884
00:41:31,871 --> 00:41:32,938
in just a minute.
885
00:41:33,038 --> 00:41:33,971
Are you guys able to...
are you guys
886
00:41:34,071 --> 00:41:34,971
seeing 'em down there?
887
00:41:35,071 --> 00:41:36,705
- Yeah.
- Okay, sweet.
888
00:41:36,805 --> 00:41:39,205
[narrator] For the photographers
to do their thing,
889
00:41:39,305 --> 00:41:41,905
Riley needs to fly slow.
890
00:41:42,005 --> 00:41:45,671
This is where the Otter
comes into its own.
891
00:41:47,038 --> 00:41:49,805
He throttles all the way back
to 80 miles per hour.
892
00:41:49,905 --> 00:41:51,805
But even at this low speed,
893
00:41:51,905 --> 00:41:54,138
the fat wings
provide enough lift
894
00:41:54,238 --> 00:41:56,505
to keep the plane in the air.
895
00:41:56,605 --> 00:41:58,005
[Riley]
Think all the teams are moving
896
00:41:58,105 --> 00:41:59,871
at a pretty good clip
right now, too.
897
00:41:59,971 --> 00:42:01,371
[dogs barking]
898
00:42:01,471 --> 00:42:04,105
It's more fun once
you get way out on the trail,
899
00:42:04,205 --> 00:42:07,071
'cause then you're really
in the middle of nowhere.
900
00:42:07,171 --> 00:42:08,571
When you're out here,
you get to see a little bit more
901
00:42:08,671 --> 00:42:10,071
of what the Iditarod
is actually like,
902
00:42:10,171 --> 00:42:11,838
which is just the mushers
903
00:42:11,938 --> 00:42:14,138
out on the trail
doing their thing.
904
00:42:18,071 --> 00:42:20,338
[narrator] The snappers
get some great shots from above.
905
00:42:20,438 --> 00:42:22,071
[camera shutters clicking]
906
00:42:22,171 --> 00:42:26,305
But all that time circling
puts Riley behind the leaders.
907
00:42:26,405 --> 00:42:29,638
He now has just 20 minutes
to overtake them
908
00:42:29,738 --> 00:42:32,771
and get his passengers on the
ground at the Yentna checkpoint.
909
00:42:32,871 --> 00:42:35,471
We might be landing
kind of right as the teams
910
00:42:35,571 --> 00:42:38,771
are getting to where
we're landing at.
911
00:42:38,871 --> 00:42:41,571
[narrator] The only viable
landing spot out here
912
00:42:41,671 --> 00:42:44,371
is a narrow, frozen river.
913
00:42:44,471 --> 00:42:47,738
[Riley] There is certainly
less room for error
914
00:42:47,838 --> 00:42:49,571
than on a runway,
915
00:42:49,671 --> 00:42:52,738
so we got to make sure
we're on our game.
916
00:42:52,838 --> 00:42:54,305
Otter Four-Kilo-Tango
is just above
917
00:42:54,405 --> 00:42:55,771
the big bend of the Yentna.
918
00:42:55,871 --> 00:42:58,871
Turning final for a landing
north on the Yentna.
919
00:42:59,838 --> 00:43:02,205
[narrator]
Riley's coming down on ice
920
00:43:02,305 --> 00:43:04,505
in a fully-laden plane.
921
00:43:04,605 --> 00:43:08,238
The friction of the skis
slows the Otter down.
922
00:43:08,338 --> 00:43:10,838
For a full stop
on the icy runway,
923
00:43:10,938 --> 00:43:13,471
he throws the propeller
into reverse pitch.
924
00:43:24,138 --> 00:43:25,371
♪ dramatic music ♪
925
00:43:25,471 --> 00:43:26,505
Okay, here we are.
926
00:43:27,538 --> 00:43:28,538
- [dogs barking]
- [Hailey] Feeling great.
927
00:43:28,638 --> 00:43:30,071
Glad that we made it here
928
00:43:30,171 --> 00:43:33,671
in time just before the teams
started to roll in.
929
00:43:33,771 --> 00:43:35,738
I think we got some good photos
from today.
930
00:43:35,838 --> 00:43:37,538
[camera shutter clicking]
931
00:43:38,938 --> 00:43:41,005
[narrator]
For K2 Aviation,
932
00:43:41,105 --> 00:43:43,471
the season is off
to a flying start,
933
00:43:43,571 --> 00:43:48,205
and customers have had
an experience they won't forget.
934
00:43:48,305 --> 00:43:50,338
It's been everything
I imagined it would be and more.
935
00:43:52,271 --> 00:43:53,471
Just absolutely unbelievable.
936
00:43:53,571 --> 00:43:57,538
You really get to see
Alaska untamed,
937
00:43:57,638 --> 00:43:59,138
see it from the air.
938
00:43:59,238 --> 00:44:01,305
What's not to love about that?
939
00:44:08,470 --> 00:44:10,504
♪ rock music ♪
940
00:44:34,004 --> 00:44:36,037
♪ "MTV Theme" plays ♪