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- Altitude is life.
- ♪ dramatic music ♪
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[narrator]
Arctic storms threaten
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00:00:07,942 --> 00:00:11,309
supply drops
to an isolated village.
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00:00:11,409 --> 00:00:13,209
Without the flights
and the planes coming in,
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00:00:13,309 --> 00:00:15,009
our village wouldn't survive.
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[narrator]
A record-breaking freeze...
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[Lance Lundberg] You never
really get your house cleaned
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00:00:21,642 --> 00:00:22,942
before it gets dirty again.
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[narrator]
...puts the crunch
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00:00:24,775 --> 00:00:27,509
on Fairbanks International.
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[Ian Cowan]
The weather
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can change on a dime.
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[narrator]
And a rookie pilot...
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Be brave. Keep coming down.
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[narrator]
...gets a crash course
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in bush aviation.
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Hold, hold.
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Hold.
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[narrator] Anchorage
International Airport...
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[controller] One-eight-zero,
clear for takeoff.
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[narrator] ...gateway
to America's last frontier.
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[pilot] 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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[pilot] We're taking an aircraft
in the sky,
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and we're not guaranteed
to come home.
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[narrator]
...to the edge of America.
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We are going
to the ends of the earth.
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[narrator] It takes a team
of stone-cold operators...
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[pilot] I think
Alaska attracts a certain
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type of person.
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[pilot 2]
We are our only option out here.
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Plane breaks, we have to fix it.
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[pilot 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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Oh, oh, oh, oh!
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She can't come in any more.
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[bleep]
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[narrator]
...and get the job done.
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[Robert Combs]
It really is
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a champagne-cork moment.
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[pilot]
We'll go warm up and have
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a cold beer.
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[narrator]
This is
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Ice Airport Alaska.
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[wind whistling]
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♪ energetic music ♪
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[narrator]
For Alaska's bush aviators,
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one of the hardest destinations
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to reach is the Inuit village
of Kaktovik.
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♪
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[resident] Kaktovik is deep
in the Arctic Circle,
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and the weather here
is just so severe,
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it's not even funny.
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Minus 40
with a windchill of minus 85.
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It's hard to live in a place
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like this.
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[narrator] On the shores
of the Arctic Ocean,
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rapid weather changes are
a constant threat to aircraft.
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Pilots rely on
an automated system for updates
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to keep them out of trouble.
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But the conditions here
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push it to breaking point.
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♪ suspenseful, dramatic music ♪
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[man] We always have
the most severe wind
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and temperatures.
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[Derek Conti]
Any time that it gets
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a lot of snow in Kaktovik,
or very windy,
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that weather system can go down.
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We have no way to know
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what we're actually flying into.
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[resident] We depend solely
on the airplanes to come in.
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It's very important
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to get in our mail,
to get in our food,
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to get in the things
that we need to survive up here.
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Got all the weight
up front there, it looks like.
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Yeah.
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[narrator] On the ramp
at Fairbanks International...
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Looking pretty good.
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...pilot Derek Conti is
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on a mission
to keep Kaktovik supplied
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and make it a safe destination
for aviators.
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We're taking up the Montis Corp
weather equipment today.
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It's gonna be a fantastic tool.
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It's gonna give us
a real-time look at the weather.
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[narrator] He's carrying
engineers Rob and Peter Combs
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to install the Montis Corp
Weather Observation System.
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They can survive in those
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super-strong winds.
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We provide pilots
with weather information
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to make safe
and efficient flight decisions.
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Should I fly or should I not?
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[mechanical beeping]
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[narrator]
For this flight to the Arctic,
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Derek is taking
the Pilatus PC-12.
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[Derek]
It's a very capable,
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versatile airplane.
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[narrator]
The high-efficiency,
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single turboprop gives it
a range of 1,800 miles.
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[Derek]
It goes high, and it goes fast,
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and we can also take it down
low and slow.
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[narrator]
And its short takeoff
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and landing capability
makes it ideal
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for tackling remote airstrips.
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[Derek]
These are just
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very wonderful airplanes.
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They do a lot really well.
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[narrator]
At 7:30 a.m...
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[Derek]
You guys get in?
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[narrator]
...Rob and Peter board the plane
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with their precious cargo.
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The 400-mile route
takes the Pilatus
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through some of Alaska's
harshest flying environments.
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[Derek]
That's looking pretty solid.
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[narrator] Derek has just
seven and a half hours
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- to make the return trip...
- [Derek] Down.
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[narrator]
...before sunset.
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One, two, three, four.
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Five green. She's locked.
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♪ energetic music ♪
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[narrator] After completing
pre-flight checks...
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Pressurization is set,
flaps are set, trips are set.
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[controller] Romeo Echo,
runway two left for takeoff.
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[narrator]
...Derek punches the Pilatus
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to its takeoff speed
of 100 miles per hour.
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Icebreaker, you're up.
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[narrator] He climbs 2,000 feet
per minute to reach clear air
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and heads due north.
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[controller] Heading
zero-two-zero vectors on course.
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You're at 3,500,
clear, direct...
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Can't complain about the view.
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It's a pretty great
office suite.
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♪ dramatic music ♪
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[narrator]
40 minutes into the flight,
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the Pilatus reaches
the Brooks Mountain Range.
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[Derek]
It's going to be gusty
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on the ground there,
it looks like.
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So, that'll be fun.
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[narrator]
It's an area known
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00:06:16,975 --> 00:06:20,909
for generating a dangerous
meteorological phenomenon.
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There's always a possibility for
some mountain wave turbulence
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from the wind
rolling over the mountains
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and pushing up into the air.
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[narrator] When strong winds
blow across a mountain range,
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the peaks create
turbulent currents,
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which can overpower an aircraft.
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♪ tense, dramatic music ♪
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[narrator]
To avoid the turbulence,
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Derek climbs to 24,000 feet,
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giving him cleaner air
between the Pilatus
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and the jagged peaks below.
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[Derek]
With airplanes,
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altitude is life.
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You're up away
from the big, craggly rocks
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down there on the Brooks,
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and you're up above the weather.
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[narrator] 30 minutes after
clearing the Brooks Range...
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00:07:07,575 --> 00:07:09,609
We are getting ready
to start descending here.
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[narrator] ...Derek begins
his approach into Kaktovik.
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But with the weather system
still down, he's flying blind.
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To get an update,
he has to improvise.
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[narrator]
Phoning someone on the ground
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for the local weather
is not an ideal solution,
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but it gets him an update.
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[narrator]
The news is not good.
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A weather front is moving in.
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Derek's man on the ground
keeps track of it.
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[Lee Kayotuk]
When the ice forms, it creates
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different temperature where
it gets really, really foggy.
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If it's foggy,
you can't see nothing out there,
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and it's completely whiteout.
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[wind whistling]
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[narrator]
Fog forms where the mountain
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00:08:05,609 --> 00:08:07,642
and ocean
weather systems collide.
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[Lee]
If they can't see the runway,
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they won't come in at all.
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[Derek]
We're racing the fog.
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We are going
to the ends of the earth,
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and if the fog is too low,
we can't land.
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♪ tense, dramatic music ♪
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[wind whistling]
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♪ energetic music ♪
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00:08:30,342 --> 00:08:34,409
[narrator]
Flying in Alaska is a dream job.
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For wannabe aviators
like Chase Ringler,
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the vast open skies
of the 49th state
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offer limitless adventure
and the prospect of a career.
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[Chase]
I've always been into flying.
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00:08:49,175 --> 00:08:50,475
I really want
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00:08:50,575 --> 00:08:51,975
to start my own air taxi,
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00:08:52,075 --> 00:08:54,042
flying people hunting,
bear viewing.
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00:08:54,142 --> 00:08:55,975
Pretty much anywhere
somebody needs
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to fly, I'll fly 'em.
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♪
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00:09:00,875 --> 00:09:03,842
[narrator]
Chase inherited the aviation bug
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00:09:03,942 --> 00:09:05,475
from his grandpa, John.
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00:09:05,575 --> 00:09:07,109
[John Mues]
Chase has
206
00:09:07,209 --> 00:09:08,875
always been interested
in airplanes,
207
00:09:08,975 --> 00:09:11,975
since he was a little, tiny kid.
208
00:09:12,075 --> 00:09:14,575
For Chase to pass his exam
209
00:09:14,675 --> 00:09:16,175
would be an immense treat
for me.
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00:09:16,275 --> 00:09:17,742
I'd love it.
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00:09:19,742 --> 00:09:22,809
[narrator] Today,
Chase is taking a huge step
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00:09:22,909 --> 00:09:25,342
toward flying solo in Alaska.
213
00:09:25,442 --> 00:09:27,342
- [Wes Erb] Morning.
- Morning.
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00:09:27,442 --> 00:09:29,642
- You're Chase, I assume.
- Yup.
215
00:09:29,742 --> 00:09:32,042
I'm Wes.
Good to see you today.
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00:09:34,042 --> 00:09:37,442
[narrator]
Wes Erb is his instructor.
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00:09:37,542 --> 00:09:40,309
[Wes] I've been flying in Alaska
a little over 30 years.
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00:09:40,409 --> 00:09:42,009
I opened up
219
00:09:42,109 --> 00:09:44,042
a flight school
about four years ago
220
00:09:44,142 --> 00:09:46,009
to try to teach some
of the lessons that I've learned
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00:09:46,109 --> 00:09:47,809
flying up here.
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00:09:47,909 --> 00:09:49,809
[narrator]
To become a bush pilot,
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00:09:49,909 --> 00:09:53,442
Chase needs to be able
to touch down anywhere.
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00:09:53,542 --> 00:09:55,375
That means mastering one
225
00:09:55,475 --> 00:09:59,609
of the core skills
of Alaskan aviation--
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00:09:59,709 --> 00:10:02,109
landing a taildragger.
227
00:10:02,209 --> 00:10:04,942
[Wes] A taildragger aircraft
is simply one
228
00:10:05,042 --> 00:10:07,109
with the third wheel,
instead of being under the nose,
229
00:10:07,209 --> 00:10:09,242
is under the tail.
230
00:10:11,042 --> 00:10:13,342
It's really well-suited
towards bush operations.
231
00:10:13,442 --> 00:10:16,309
Gravel, snow, ski, floats.
232
00:10:16,409 --> 00:10:17,442
Their tail wheel
233
00:10:17,542 --> 00:10:19,575
is the way to go in Alaska.
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00:10:20,875 --> 00:10:23,175
[Wes]
Tell me a little bit about
235
00:10:23,275 --> 00:10:25,075
where you're at
in your pilot journey.
236
00:10:25,175 --> 00:10:27,642
I have about 60 hours on floats.
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00:10:27,742 --> 00:10:29,742
So this is the first time you'll
be doing any wheel landings...
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00:10:29,842 --> 00:10:31,642
- Yes. Yup.
- ...or anything with wheels.
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00:10:31,742 --> 00:10:34,575
All right. Well,
that'll be a bit of a challenge.
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00:10:35,609 --> 00:10:38,209
[narrator] Chase has only ever
landed on water,
241
00:10:38,309 --> 00:10:42,709
which requires less precision
on touchdown.
242
00:10:42,809 --> 00:10:44,775
My heart sunk a little bit
this morning when I realized
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00:10:44,875 --> 00:10:47,775
he's never landed
a wheel airplane before, so,
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00:10:47,875 --> 00:10:48,942
it'll be a challenge for him.
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00:10:49,975 --> 00:10:51,375
[narrator]
Chase's first test
246
00:10:51,475 --> 00:10:54,742
is to bring a plane down
on wheels.
247
00:10:54,842 --> 00:10:56,909
You ready to push her out
and start this adventure?
248
00:10:57,009 --> 00:10:59,642
- Yep.
- Ready? Mush.
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00:10:59,742 --> 00:11:00,809
[narrator]
He's also doing it
250
00:11:00,909 --> 00:11:03,842
in a plane
he's never flown before.
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00:11:03,942 --> 00:11:06,809
[Wes]
Swing the tail.
252
00:11:07,742 --> 00:11:09,509
Yeah, it's good right there.
253
00:11:10,509 --> 00:11:14,309
[narrator] The 50-year-old
Taylorcraft F-19 is
254
00:11:14,409 --> 00:11:16,875
a classic taildragger, perfect
255
00:11:16,975 --> 00:11:19,475
for rugged, unpaved airstrips.
256
00:11:20,442 --> 00:11:23,542
And its light airframe
and responsive controls
257
00:11:23,642 --> 00:11:26,842
make it easy on learner pilots.
258
00:11:26,942 --> 00:11:28,709
[Wes]
Okay, so,
259
00:11:28,809 --> 00:11:30,442
let's get her fired up here.
260
00:11:31,609 --> 00:11:33,475
[narrator]
Chase throttles
261
00:11:33,575 --> 00:11:36,109
the T-Craft's
Continental engine...
262
00:11:36,209 --> 00:11:38,342
So, we'll go down
runway two-five.
263
00:11:38,442 --> 00:11:41,809
[narrator] ...and maxes the revs
to 2,500 rpm.
264
00:11:46,175 --> 00:11:49,375
For the first test,
he's flying to Willow Airport,
265
00:11:49,475 --> 00:11:52,709
15 miles south.
266
00:11:52,809 --> 00:11:54,675
Look at that.
267
00:11:54,775 --> 00:11:56,975
Up, up and away.
268
00:11:58,942 --> 00:12:01,809
[narrator] It takes less
than ten minutes in the air.
269
00:12:02,842 --> 00:12:05,509
[controller]
Aircraft 694, midfield,
270
00:12:05,609 --> 00:12:08,375
entering the right downwind
for runway three-one Willow.
271
00:12:09,275 --> 00:12:12,409
[Wes] This man has never landed
in a wheel airplane before
272
00:12:12,509 --> 00:12:15,042
at all, and we're going
to take him to an ice runway
273
00:12:15,142 --> 00:12:17,075
in the middle of nowhere and try
to teach him how to land.
274
00:12:17,175 --> 00:12:19,409
It's a big hurdle.
275
00:12:19,509 --> 00:12:21,475
[narrator]
For Chase's first-ever attempt
276
00:12:21,575 --> 00:12:23,909
at bringing a plane down
on land,
277
00:12:24,009 --> 00:12:27,042
he's trying a classic
two-wheel landing.
278
00:12:28,275 --> 00:12:30,809
This keeps the nose
of the aircraft low,
279
00:12:30,909 --> 00:12:32,475
so the pilot can scan ahead
280
00:12:32,575 --> 00:12:36,209
for dangerous obstacles
on the airstrip.
281
00:12:36,309 --> 00:12:37,275
[Wes] You have
about one quarter second
282
00:12:37,375 --> 00:12:39,442
to pin those mains
on the ground.
283
00:12:39,542 --> 00:12:41,242
If you delay,
284
00:12:41,342 --> 00:12:42,875
the potential is that tail's
going to come down...
285
00:12:42,975 --> 00:12:44,875
- Yeah.
- ...cause you problems.
286
00:12:44,975 --> 00:12:48,509
[narrator] Chase cuts
the T-Craft's airspeed...
287
00:12:48,609 --> 00:12:49,842
Wait for it.
288
00:12:49,942 --> 00:12:51,175
Okay.
289
00:12:51,275 --> 00:12:54,109
[narrator]
...and descends to 1,200 feet
290
00:12:54,209 --> 00:12:56,509
to make his approach.
291
00:12:56,609 --> 00:12:59,509
[controller] Taylorcraft 694,
final three-one, Willow.
292
00:12:59,609 --> 00:13:01,109
♪ tense, dramatic music ♪
293
00:13:01,209 --> 00:13:04,342
[narrator] Deep snow around
the runway could punish Chase
294
00:13:04,442 --> 00:13:07,275
if he drifts
off the center line.
295
00:13:08,275 --> 00:13:11,475
We've lost so many aircraft
because just one wingtip
296
00:13:11,575 --> 00:13:14,609
gets caught in a pucker brush,
and then boop, there you go.
297
00:13:17,575 --> 00:13:19,309
Keep coming down.
298
00:13:19,409 --> 00:13:20,575
[narrator]
One small mistake
299
00:13:20,675 --> 00:13:24,909
could end
Chase's aviation journey.
300
00:13:25,909 --> 00:13:28,409
Keep coming down.
301
00:13:28,509 --> 00:13:31,209
Hold, hold, hold.
302
00:13:35,808 --> 00:13:37,141
♪ dramatic music ♪
303
00:13:37,241 --> 00:13:39,608
There's a saying-- always
stay ahead of the airplane.
304
00:13:39,708 --> 00:13:40,841
I'm always thinking,
what's next?
305
00:13:40,941 --> 00:13:42,041
What's the next thing
I have to do?
306
00:13:42,141 --> 00:13:46,974
[narrator]
5,000 feet above the Arctic ice,
307
00:13:47,074 --> 00:13:50,574
pilot Derek Conti is attempting
to deliver engineers
308
00:13:50,674 --> 00:13:51,908
Rob and Peter Combs
309
00:13:52,008 --> 00:13:54,441
to the remote village
of Kaktovik...
310
00:13:54,541 --> 00:13:56,008
[controller]
Thunderstorm.
311
00:13:56,108 --> 00:13:57,508
Information not available.
312
00:13:57,608 --> 00:14:00,908
[narrator]
...before fog cuts them off.
313
00:14:01,008 --> 00:14:03,241
If you get fog,
that could just close it
314
00:14:03,341 --> 00:14:05,608
to where you can't see your hand
in front of your face there.
315
00:14:05,708 --> 00:14:07,641
♪ dramatic music ♪
316
00:14:07,741 --> 00:14:09,841
[narrator] Their mission is
to install a new
317
00:14:09,941 --> 00:14:12,574
weather-reporting system
and return to Fairbanks
318
00:14:12,674 --> 00:14:15,174
before nightfall.
319
00:14:15,274 --> 00:14:19,041
Without it, the village
could be cut off for the winter.
320
00:14:22,774 --> 00:14:25,141
It's important to have
a weather observation here
321
00:14:25,241 --> 00:14:27,574
'cause there's no roads, so,
322
00:14:27,674 --> 00:14:30,274
only in and out
of here is by aircraft.
323
00:14:30,374 --> 00:14:31,674
[indistinct chatter]
324
00:14:31,774 --> 00:14:34,041
We're going to need
to turn outbound at HALTS.
325
00:14:34,141 --> 00:14:36,774
[narrator] Derek drops altitude
and throttles
326
00:14:36,874 --> 00:14:39,441
the Pilatus to its maximum speed
327
00:14:39,541 --> 00:14:42,008
to shave down the flight time.
328
00:14:42,108 --> 00:14:44,108
Because of what
the weather is right now,
329
00:14:44,208 --> 00:14:45,874
we're coming in pretty quick.
330
00:14:45,974 --> 00:14:49,674
[narrator] He begins
final approach at 8:45 a.m.
331
00:14:49,774 --> 00:14:51,674
[controller]
Romeo Echo cleared
332
00:14:51,774 --> 00:14:54,674
RNAV runway seven approach,
Barter Island Airport.
333
00:14:54,774 --> 00:14:55,908
[narrator]
For now,
334
00:14:56,008 --> 00:14:58,008
the sky over Kaktovik
is still clear.
335
00:14:58,108 --> 00:14:59,574
♪ dramatic music ♪
336
00:14:59,674 --> 00:15:01,608
[controller] Hey, be advised
the ramp is pretty slick
337
00:15:01,708 --> 00:15:03,508
and also kind of drifty.
338
00:15:08,341 --> 00:15:10,141
[narrator]
To reduce the risk of skidding,
339
00:15:10,241 --> 00:15:13,474
Derek slows the Pilatus
to its minimum speed
340
00:15:13,574 --> 00:15:15,641
of 80 miles an hour...
341
00:15:16,641 --> 00:15:19,874
[Derek] Like a good little
crosswind here from the left.
342
00:15:19,974 --> 00:15:22,608
[narrator] ...and adjusts
the rudder to fight
343
00:15:22,708 --> 00:15:25,708
the wind blowing in
from the Beaufort Sea.
344
00:15:25,808 --> 00:15:27,874
[Derek]
30 knots on the nose.
345
00:15:29,841 --> 00:15:32,408
And we're landing.
346
00:15:36,508 --> 00:15:38,541
♪ dramatic, adventurous music ♪
347
00:15:41,708 --> 00:15:43,141
[Derek]
Got to watch
348
00:15:43,241 --> 00:15:46,174
the snowdrifts here
so I don't get stuck.
349
00:15:50,241 --> 00:15:51,974
There we go.
350
00:15:52,074 --> 00:15:54,108
[wind whistling]
351
00:15:56,641 --> 00:15:59,474
[narrator]
The team disembarks at 9 a.m.
352
00:15:59,574 --> 00:16:03,974
They only have until sunset
to finish the job.
353
00:16:04,974 --> 00:16:06,908
And conditions are rough.
354
00:16:07,008 --> 00:16:08,908
[Derek]
It's about
355
00:16:09,008 --> 00:16:11,041
31 below. Windchill's gonna
be colder than that.
356
00:16:11,141 --> 00:16:14,208
But we are very far north.
357
00:16:14,308 --> 00:16:17,074
And the Arctic Ocean
is right there.
358
00:16:20,241 --> 00:16:22,374
[narrator]
Engineers Rob and Peter waste
359
00:16:22,474 --> 00:16:24,941
no time getting down to work.
360
00:16:25,041 --> 00:16:26,574
[Robert Combs] It's not pleasant
to be out here.
361
00:16:26,674 --> 00:16:28,274
Starting to feel it
362
00:16:28,374 --> 00:16:29,674
in the fingers, the eyes.
363
00:16:30,674 --> 00:16:32,374
All right.
364
00:16:32,474 --> 00:16:35,074
[narrator] The system combines
satellite-linked weather sensors
365
00:16:35,174 --> 00:16:39,274
with cameras to provide
a live feed to anyone flying in.
366
00:16:41,074 --> 00:16:44,441
The only practical place
to install the hardware
367
00:16:44,541 --> 00:16:48,774
is the airport's generator hut,
which can provide power.
368
00:16:48,874 --> 00:16:50,808
[Robert] We've already got
the weatherhead mounted
369
00:16:50,908 --> 00:16:53,341
onto the pole,
so we'll stand it up,
370
00:16:53,441 --> 00:16:57,174
bolt it, and with any luck,
we'll get
371
00:16:57,274 --> 00:16:59,008
Internet connection,
and she'll be online.
372
00:16:59,108 --> 00:17:01,508
♪ dramatic music ♪
373
00:17:01,608 --> 00:17:04,273
[narrator] If Rob and Peter
don't complete the job
374
00:17:04,374 --> 00:17:07,308
in the next five hours,
they're not flying home.
375
00:17:07,508 --> 00:17:10,074
♪
376
00:17:10,174 --> 00:17:13,641
[Robert]
It's a race against time, so,
377
00:17:13,741 --> 00:17:15,141
we are definitely in a hustle
378
00:17:15,241 --> 00:17:17,708
to get this all mounted
and stood.
379
00:17:21,074 --> 00:17:23,141
[crowd cheering]
380
00:17:23,241 --> 00:17:25,508
[narrator]
February in Anchorage
381
00:17:25,608 --> 00:17:26,973
is party time.
382
00:17:27,074 --> 00:17:28,641
♪ upbeat music ♪
383
00:17:28,741 --> 00:17:30,708
The Fur Rendezvous
384
00:17:30,808 --> 00:17:33,941
is the biggest winter festival
in Alaska.
385
00:17:34,041 --> 00:17:36,841
100,000 people come here
386
00:17:36,941 --> 00:17:40,241
to celebrate frontier spirit.
387
00:17:40,341 --> 00:17:41,508
The Rondy is a big draw 'cause
388
00:17:41,608 --> 00:17:43,841
it brings in a lot
of people into town.
389
00:17:45,308 --> 00:17:46,408
It's always fun.
390
00:17:46,508 --> 00:17:47,674
[narrator]
For some revelers,
391
00:17:47,774 --> 00:17:50,541
the party starts early.
392
00:17:50,641 --> 00:17:51,641
[woman]
We'll be running
393
00:17:51,741 --> 00:17:53,041
down the track,
394
00:17:53,141 --> 00:17:55,141
and then
they'll set out some reindeer,
395
00:17:55,241 --> 00:17:56,808
and we'll try and outrun them.
396
00:17:56,908 --> 00:17:59,008
Reindeers love carrots, so,
397
00:17:59,108 --> 00:18:01,141
hopefully,
they don't love us too much.
398
00:18:01,241 --> 00:18:02,274
[laughs]
399
00:18:03,274 --> 00:18:05,508
[narrator]
But many are still en route.
400
00:18:05,608 --> 00:18:07,074
♪ intriguing music ♪
401
00:18:07,174 --> 00:18:09,341
350 miles to the north,
402
00:18:09,441 --> 00:18:11,308
Fairbanks International
is handling
403
00:18:11,408 --> 00:18:15,141
a rush of passengers
heading to the Fur Rondy.
404
00:18:15,241 --> 00:18:17,008
[man]
Today,
405
00:18:17,108 --> 00:18:19,008
I'm traveling from Fairbanks
to Anchorage, going back home.
406
00:18:19,108 --> 00:18:22,008
It's going to be a lot of fun,
a lot of activity,
407
00:18:22,108 --> 00:18:23,208
so, it's a good time.
408
00:18:24,241 --> 00:18:27,708
[narrator] Four flights
are due to fly today--
409
00:18:27,808 --> 00:18:30,474
the first, in one hour.
410
00:18:30,574 --> 00:18:32,074
♪ tense, dramatic music ♪
411
00:18:32,174 --> 00:18:33,508
But right now, snow
412
00:18:33,608 --> 00:18:36,508
from an overnight storm
covers the runway.
413
00:18:38,208 --> 00:18:41,108
Planes are going nowhere.
414
00:18:41,208 --> 00:18:42,741
It's down
415
00:18:42,841 --> 00:18:45,174
to airfield maintenance
foreman Lance Lundberg
416
00:18:45,274 --> 00:18:48,774
and the team to get the airport
back into action.
417
00:18:48,874 --> 00:18:51,474
[Lance]
We constantly are brooming,
418
00:18:51,574 --> 00:18:53,974
plowing, and
419
00:18:54,074 --> 00:18:57,541
hoping to go home and see
our family once in a while.
420
00:18:57,641 --> 00:18:59,674
♪ lively music ♪
421
00:19:02,141 --> 00:19:05,541
Fairbanks Tower,
Unit 37, at hotel,
422
00:19:05,641 --> 00:19:06,908
requesting two-zero right.
423
00:19:07,108 --> 00:19:09,408
♪
424
00:19:09,508 --> 00:19:11,408
[narrator]
It's 9 a.m.,
425
00:19:11,508 --> 00:19:14,141
and the team
is six hours into their shift.
426
00:19:17,008 --> 00:19:20,408
Ian Cowan heads up the convoy.
427
00:19:21,808 --> 00:19:25,008
This snowfall has been
428
00:19:25,108 --> 00:19:27,508
pretty extreme.
429
00:19:27,608 --> 00:19:30,174
Anytime it slows down
for a little bit,
430
00:19:30,274 --> 00:19:33,974
the next snow comes,
so, it has definitely
431
00:19:34,074 --> 00:19:37,208
been burying us with work.
432
00:19:37,308 --> 00:19:40,941
[narrator]
Four half-million-dollar Oshkosh
433
00:19:41,041 --> 00:19:44,841
brooms tackle
the two-mile-long runway.
434
00:19:44,941 --> 00:19:48,974
46-inch diameter brushes
grind snow from the center
435
00:19:49,074 --> 00:19:52,208
of the airstrip
and force it to the side.
436
00:19:52,308 --> 00:19:53,541
Two-zero right...
437
00:19:53,641 --> 00:19:56,141
[garbled radio transmission]
438
00:19:57,808 --> 00:20:01,508
[narrator] The team clears two
football fields worth of snow
439
00:20:01,608 --> 00:20:04,074
from the surface
every 15 minutes.
440
00:20:05,474 --> 00:20:09,274
Half an hour before the
first flight is due to board,
441
00:20:09,374 --> 00:20:12,141
Lance is set to open the runway.
442
00:20:12,241 --> 00:20:13,874
[Lance]
We're getting ready.
443
00:20:13,974 --> 00:20:15,008
Give you guys a break.
444
00:20:16,008 --> 00:20:18,641
[indistinct transmission]
445
00:20:20,274 --> 00:20:23,574
[narrator] But as the team
gets ready to stand down,
446
00:20:23,674 --> 00:20:26,574
the wind picks up.
447
00:20:26,674 --> 00:20:28,108
[Lance]
The wind gusts
448
00:20:28,208 --> 00:20:31,841
are now drifting snow, creating
449
00:20:31,941 --> 00:20:36,041
scenarios similar to
as if it was actively snowing.
450
00:20:37,674 --> 00:20:39,474
[narrator]
Any hopes of an early finish
451
00:20:39,574 --> 00:20:42,308
to their shift are blown away.
452
00:20:42,408 --> 00:20:46,641
[Lance] You never really get
your house cleaned
453
00:20:46,741 --> 00:20:48,874
before it gets dirty again.
454
00:20:49,908 --> 00:20:52,774
[narrator]
As the snow piles up,
455
00:20:52,874 --> 00:20:55,074
so does the schedule.
456
00:20:56,708 --> 00:20:59,074
[Lance]
With all of that new snow,
457
00:20:59,174 --> 00:21:02,141
it would not be safe
for aircraft,
458
00:21:02,241 --> 00:21:05,274
and nobody will get to Anchorage
for the Fur Rendezvous.
459
00:21:10,107 --> 00:21:12,107
[wind whistling]
460
00:21:12,207 --> 00:21:14,740
[narrator] On the shores
of the Arctic Ocean...
461
00:21:14,840 --> 00:21:16,640
[whirring]
462
00:21:16,740 --> 00:21:19,773
We already smoked the battery.
It's frozen.
463
00:21:19,873 --> 00:21:22,907
[narrator]
...engineers Rob and Peter Combs
464
00:21:23,007 --> 00:21:25,840
are fighting
freezing temperatures
465
00:21:25,940 --> 00:21:28,540
to install
a new weather warning system.
466
00:21:29,607 --> 00:21:31,140
[Robert] We've got the
Arctic Ocean in that direction.
467
00:21:31,240 --> 00:21:32,607
The conditions
468
00:21:32,707 --> 00:21:36,007
can change
in just a few moments.
469
00:21:36,107 --> 00:21:38,540
So that's why we're here today,
so that they have
470
00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:40,473
that instant weather report.
471
00:21:41,473 --> 00:21:43,773
[Lee]
You got to have a weather report
472
00:21:43,873 --> 00:21:46,307
in order for them
to fly into the village,
473
00:21:46,407 --> 00:21:47,973
or they won't come in at all.
474
00:21:48,073 --> 00:21:50,007
♪ slow, suspenseful music ♪
475
00:21:50,107 --> 00:21:52,640
[narrator]
It's 9:30 a.m.
476
00:21:53,873 --> 00:21:57,273
The team now has four and
a half hours to finish the job
477
00:21:57,373 --> 00:22:00,240
if they want to make it out
of Kaktovik today.
478
00:22:00,340 --> 00:22:02,540
That'll line up.
479
00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:04,173
[narrator]
The first big challenge is
480
00:22:04,273 --> 00:22:06,907
to fix the pole mounting
for the camera.
481
00:22:09,940 --> 00:22:13,973
The thermometer
is hitting 38 below.
482
00:22:14,073 --> 00:22:16,873
[Robert] It's not easy
working in these conditions, but
483
00:22:16,973 --> 00:22:19,740
we're willing to do it because
they need the service now,
484
00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:22,340
not when the weather improves.
485
00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:23,873
They need it now.
486
00:22:24,873 --> 00:22:27,740
[narrator]
To prevent hypothermia,
487
00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:30,440
the guys alternate between jobs,
488
00:22:30,540 --> 00:22:32,840
working outside,
attaching the brackets,
489
00:22:32,940 --> 00:22:36,940
moving inside
to set up the power supply.
490
00:22:37,040 --> 00:22:38,807
[Robert]
After a period of time,
491
00:22:38,907 --> 00:22:40,440
your hands are
a little cold, but
492
00:22:40,540 --> 00:22:42,440
you get back in the hut, and
you work inside a little bit.
493
00:22:42,540 --> 00:22:43,973
Time to get back outside.
494
00:22:44,073 --> 00:22:47,607
[narrator]
The brackets secure the pole.
495
00:22:49,207 --> 00:22:51,407
It takes an hour
to drill and mount them,
496
00:22:51,507 --> 00:22:55,307
avoiding damage
to the generator's wiring.
497
00:22:55,440 --> 00:22:57,240
[Robert]
Got all the brackets up, and
498
00:22:57,340 --> 00:22:59,173
just about ready
to start standing up the pole.
499
00:22:59,273 --> 00:23:03,673
Light's fading, so it'd be nice
to get this done quick.
500
00:23:03,773 --> 00:23:05,807
♪ dramatic, suspenseful music ♪
501
00:23:05,907 --> 00:23:08,007
[Robert] All right,
let's get this thing up.
502
00:23:10,240 --> 00:23:11,973
[narrator]
At 20 feet high,
503
00:23:12,073 --> 00:23:13,773
the pole is totally exposed
504
00:23:13,873 --> 00:23:16,940
to ocean winds
up to 70 miles per hour.
505
00:23:17,907 --> 00:23:22,373
Fixing it securely
takes another 45 minutes.
506
00:23:22,473 --> 00:23:25,207
[Robert]
Wow. Burning daylight here.
507
00:23:29,473 --> 00:23:31,407
[narrator] By the time
Peter can hook up the cables
508
00:23:31,507 --> 00:23:35,607
to the power supply,
it's already half past 1:00.
509
00:23:36,607 --> 00:23:38,840
The final job
is configuring the software,
510
00:23:38,940 --> 00:23:41,273
ready for a test run.
511
00:23:41,373 --> 00:23:43,873
Camera's up, system's online,
and, uh,
512
00:23:43,973 --> 00:23:46,573
I guess now we just take a look
and make sure
513
00:23:46,673 --> 00:23:49,373
that we've got images
and weather data.
514
00:23:50,373 --> 00:23:52,340
[narrator]
If the system works,
515
00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:54,607
it could stop Kaktovik
being cut off
516
00:23:54,707 --> 00:23:56,707
from aviation for the winter.
517
00:23:59,140 --> 00:24:01,640
It is, I guess, a little bit
of a moment of truth.
518
00:24:05,540 --> 00:24:06,840
Everything's online.
519
00:24:06,940 --> 00:24:08,940
♪ upbeat music ♪
520
00:24:09,040 --> 00:24:11,873
It really is
a champagne-cork moment.
521
00:24:11,973 --> 00:24:15,140
Everything's up,
and the folks here in Kaktovik
522
00:24:15,240 --> 00:24:17,773
and everybody that serves them
now has service.
523
00:24:20,240 --> 00:24:22,040
[narrator] Rob and Peter
have no time to celebrate
524
00:24:22,140 --> 00:24:24,707
as they get their plane.
525
00:24:25,707 --> 00:24:27,473
But the community has
its lifeline
526
00:24:27,573 --> 00:24:29,940
to the outside world.
527
00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:32,640
[woman] Without the flights
and the planes coming in,
528
00:24:32,740 --> 00:24:34,373
our village wouldn't survive.
529
00:24:34,473 --> 00:24:37,540
Our stores, our people,
their food, and all the things
530
00:24:37,640 --> 00:24:40,140
that we depend on.
531
00:24:41,140 --> 00:24:42,573
We need the planes, and we need
532
00:24:42,673 --> 00:24:44,107
the flights coming in.
533
00:24:50,540 --> 00:24:51,740
[controller]
Taylorcraft 694,
534
00:24:51,840 --> 00:24:54,407
right base,
runway three-one, Willow.
535
00:24:54,507 --> 00:24:57,873
[narrator] At Willow Airport,
north of Anchorage...
536
00:24:57,973 --> 00:24:59,040
You got this.
537
00:24:59,140 --> 00:25:01,640
[narrator]
...rookie flyer Chase Ringler is
538
00:25:01,740 --> 00:25:05,540
seconds away from his first-ever
two-wheel landing.
539
00:25:05,640 --> 00:25:07,673
Keep coming down.
540
00:25:07,773 --> 00:25:09,407
[narrator]
Instructor Wes Erb...
541
00:25:09,540 --> 00:25:11,240
Hold, hold.
542
00:25:11,340 --> 00:25:12,573
[narrator]
...is pushing him
543
00:25:12,673 --> 00:25:14,673
to hit the center line
of the runway,
544
00:25:14,773 --> 00:25:17,073
a tough ask for a greenhorn
545
00:25:17,173 --> 00:25:19,640
who's only ever landed
on a lake.
546
00:25:19,740 --> 00:25:24,007
Right rudder, right rudder,
right rudder, right rudder.
547
00:25:24,107 --> 00:25:25,873
[narrator]
Even small mistakes
548
00:25:25,973 --> 00:25:29,073
on the rudder
can send the nose offline.
549
00:25:31,673 --> 00:25:34,073
No. F-Forward.
550
00:25:37,507 --> 00:25:40,307
[narrator]
Chase misses the center line,
551
00:25:40,407 --> 00:25:44,173
a potentially deadly mistake
on a narrower airstrip.
552
00:25:44,273 --> 00:25:46,173
Correct for center line.
Fight for it.
553
00:25:46,273 --> 00:25:47,373
Don't accept being off.
554
00:25:47,473 --> 00:25:49,440
There was
555
00:25:49,540 --> 00:25:51,540
a lot of,
I call it monkey motion.
556
00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:53,073
You know,
lots of things happening
557
00:25:53,173 --> 00:25:55,707
that really makes it difficult
to have a good landing.
558
00:25:55,807 --> 00:25:57,840
♪ tense, dramatic music ♪
559
00:25:59,940 --> 00:26:02,907
Taylorcraft 694 is on the roll,
runway three-one, Willow.
560
00:26:05,407 --> 00:26:07,573
[narrator]
Chase dials up the revs again,
561
00:26:07,673 --> 00:26:09,973
ready for a second attempt.
562
00:26:10,073 --> 00:26:12,107
♪ energetic music ♪
563
00:26:16,007 --> 00:26:18,007
Struggling to figure out
how to make you put your nose
564
00:26:18,107 --> 00:26:19,440
- on the center line of runway.
- Yeah.
565
00:26:19,540 --> 00:26:20,807
Yeah, my approach,
566
00:26:20,907 --> 00:26:23,773
I was thinking, sit my butt
right on the center line,
567
00:26:23,873 --> 00:26:25,740
and I still drifted over.
568
00:26:26,740 --> 00:26:28,807
[narrator]
Climbing to 1,200 feet,
569
00:26:28,907 --> 00:26:32,740
Chase banks north and lines up
the airstrip once more.
570
00:26:32,840 --> 00:26:34,873
♪ dramatic music ♪
571
00:26:36,307 --> 00:26:37,407
[Wes]
Uh, go ahead.
572
00:26:37,507 --> 00:26:39,007
Straighten out,
neutralize the controls.
573
00:26:40,540 --> 00:26:44,040
[narrator] Another bad landing
could bring today's training
574
00:26:44,140 --> 00:26:45,273
to a sudden end.
575
00:26:45,373 --> 00:26:48,007
A little left wing
and right rudder.
576
00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:51,973
Hold this.
577
00:26:52,073 --> 00:26:55,307
Hold, be brave,
keep coming down, don't flare.
578
00:26:55,407 --> 00:26:57,040
Okay, now you can shift.
579
00:26:57,140 --> 00:26:58,573
There you go, hold that.
580
00:26:58,673 --> 00:27:00,707
Okay, forward.
581
00:27:01,740 --> 00:27:04,140
Back in your belly.
582
00:27:05,140 --> 00:27:07,407
Oh, that's so great.
583
00:27:07,507 --> 00:27:09,173
[laughing]
That was really, really good.
584
00:27:09,273 --> 00:27:11,407
You didn't even try to kill me.
585
00:27:13,473 --> 00:27:17,140
[narrator] Chase has nailed
an accurate two-wheel landing.
586
00:27:17,240 --> 00:27:19,607
But it's only half the test.
587
00:27:20,840 --> 00:27:23,573
To fly in Alaska,
pilots also need
588
00:27:23,673 --> 00:27:27,907
to master another, more
challenging type of landing.
589
00:27:28,007 --> 00:27:30,040
What I want to do is
introduce now is
590
00:27:30,140 --> 00:27:31,573
the second type of landing
we're going to be doing,
591
00:27:31,673 --> 00:27:33,573
which is three-point landing.
592
00:27:33,673 --> 00:27:36,540
[narrator] A three-point landing
involves touching down
593
00:27:36,640 --> 00:27:40,207
on all three wheels at once
at the lowest possible speed,
594
00:27:40,307 --> 00:27:43,540
providing a shorter
stopping distance
595
00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:46,307
and spreading the weight
of the aircraft.
596
00:27:46,407 --> 00:27:50,640
An essential skill
for tackling bush airstrips.
597
00:27:50,740 --> 00:27:52,473
[Wes] In Alaska,
you have to be able to land
598
00:27:52,573 --> 00:27:53,640
very gently
599
00:27:53,740 --> 00:27:54,973
onto a soft surface
600
00:27:55,073 --> 00:27:56,873
to prevent any aircraft damage.
601
00:27:56,973 --> 00:27:58,873
And it's important
to be able to get that right
602
00:27:58,973 --> 00:28:00,807
because the penalty for it is,
603
00:28:00,907 --> 00:28:02,207
you will flip the airplane over.
604
00:28:06,773 --> 00:28:08,107
♪ dramatic, energetic music ♪
605
00:28:08,207 --> 00:28:10,107
[narrator] Chase heads
for Haggard's Landing,
606
00:28:10,207 --> 00:28:13,040
a frozen lake
12 miles to the south.
607
00:28:14,307 --> 00:28:16,973
Its icy surface
offers little grip,
608
00:28:17,073 --> 00:28:20,073
and it's covered
in pits and ruts.
609
00:28:20,173 --> 00:28:21,407
[Wes]
He's going to have to manage
610
00:28:21,507 --> 00:28:23,273
his energy so he touches down
611
00:28:23,373 --> 00:28:25,573
perfectly delicately
on the runway.
612
00:28:25,673 --> 00:28:27,007
There is no margin for error.
613
00:28:28,007 --> 00:28:30,940
[narrator] Attempting
a precision three-point landing
614
00:28:31,040 --> 00:28:34,240
on an ice runway
is another massive step up
615
00:28:34,340 --> 00:28:36,240
for the rookie pilot.
616
00:28:36,340 --> 00:28:40,040
And Wes isn't the only person
who'll be judging him on it.
617
00:28:41,240 --> 00:28:42,173
I can see my grandpa's
618
00:28:42,273 --> 00:28:43,573
- down there.
- Oh, can you?
619
00:28:45,073 --> 00:28:46,640
Yeah, that's Chase.
620
00:28:47,640 --> 00:28:50,440
[narrator]
Chase's grandfather, his mentor,
621
00:28:50,540 --> 00:28:52,440
and the reason
he took up flying,
622
00:28:52,540 --> 00:28:55,640
has arrived
to grade his first attempt.
623
00:28:55,740 --> 00:28:57,507
[Mues] I taught him a lot
of little things over the years.
624
00:28:57,607 --> 00:28:58,907
His first flight,
625
00:28:59,007 --> 00:29:01,007
he was a little scared
getting in the plane.
626
00:29:01,107 --> 00:29:03,507
After we landed, it was great,
and it's, uh,
627
00:29:03,607 --> 00:29:05,373
been a major thing for him.
628
00:29:06,907 --> 00:29:08,307
All right,
no tricks, no nothing.
629
00:29:08,407 --> 00:29:10,673
Just take your time,
set up a nice pattern.
630
00:29:10,773 --> 00:29:12,807
♪ energetic, dramatic music ♪
631
00:29:14,373 --> 00:29:17,273
[narrator] Chase begins his
approach by dropping altitude
632
00:29:17,373 --> 00:29:19,407
to a thousand feet.
633
00:29:20,407 --> 00:29:21,840
[Wes]
How's your speed doing?
634
00:29:21,940 --> 00:29:23,740
- Going very fast.
- Yeah.
635
00:29:23,840 --> 00:29:26,307
So let's scrub off
some of that energy.
636
00:29:27,307 --> 00:29:29,740
[narrator] To land
on all three wheels at once,
637
00:29:29,840 --> 00:29:32,840
he needs to keep the nose high
638
00:29:32,940 --> 00:29:36,140
and lightly touch down
at minimum speed.
639
00:29:38,607 --> 00:29:40,207
Hold it off. Hold off.
640
00:29:45,873 --> 00:29:48,307
Back in your belly, brakes.
641
00:29:48,407 --> 00:29:52,373
[narrator] But Chase hits
the deck too fast and too hard.
642
00:29:56,573 --> 00:29:58,207
[narrator]
Bouncing a plane on a rough
643
00:29:58,307 --> 00:30:00,840
bush airstrip could prove fatal.
644
00:30:01,907 --> 00:30:04,407
If we try to land too fast,
it just doesn't work out well.
645
00:30:04,507 --> 00:30:07,040
[narrator]
Wes has his work cut out
646
00:30:07,140 --> 00:30:10,807
if Chase is gonna pull off
a perfect three-wheel landing.
647
00:30:10,907 --> 00:30:13,373
[Wes]
Oh, boy.
648
00:30:13,473 --> 00:30:15,007
Someday this is gonna matter.
649
00:30:20,106 --> 00:30:22,373
[narrator] At Fairbanks
International Airport...
650
00:30:22,472 --> 00:30:24,539
[Lance]
Broom crew,
651
00:30:24,639 --> 00:30:27,073
how are those gates looking?
652
00:30:27,173 --> 00:30:30,639
[narrator] ...hundreds of
passengers are waiting to head
653
00:30:30,739 --> 00:30:34,906
to Anchorage for the biggest
event of the Alaskan winter.
654
00:30:35,939 --> 00:30:37,272
[traveler]
It would really be a challenge
655
00:30:37,373 --> 00:30:39,006
if my flight
was canceled today.
656
00:30:39,106 --> 00:30:40,439
That would really be a downer.
657
00:30:40,539 --> 00:30:42,539
I'd hate to miss something.
658
00:30:42,639 --> 00:30:46,373
[narrator] Drifting snow
has closed the runway,
659
00:30:46,472 --> 00:30:47,873
and field maintenance foreman
660
00:30:47,972 --> 00:30:50,706
Lance Lundberg
is feeling the squeeze.
661
00:30:51,906 --> 00:30:54,339
[Lance] We've got
some more flights coming in.
662
00:30:54,439 --> 00:30:57,539
It is urgent that we can get
663
00:30:57,639 --> 00:30:59,073
all of the snow removed,
664
00:30:59,173 --> 00:31:01,606
but with the active weather
we're having,
665
00:31:01,706 --> 00:31:04,173
we're just not
getting the break.
666
00:31:06,706 --> 00:31:10,006
[narrator] It's 9:30 a.m.,
and the first flight
667
00:31:10,106 --> 00:31:12,939
to Anchorage is due
to board in 30 minutes.
668
00:31:13,039 --> 00:31:15,906
Thirty-seven will hold short,
two-zero right.
669
00:31:16,006 --> 00:31:19,106
[narrator] Wind speeds
are hitting 25 miles per hour,
670
00:31:19,206 --> 00:31:21,639
piling more pressure
671
00:31:21,739 --> 00:31:24,272
onto broom operator Ian Cowan.
672
00:31:25,306 --> 00:31:27,673
[Ian]
Once we got the runway clear,
673
00:31:27,772 --> 00:31:30,873
all the winds just brings it
right back onto the runway,
674
00:31:30,972 --> 00:31:32,639
and that is not something
we want.
675
00:31:35,306 --> 00:31:38,039
[narrator]
As Lance scouts ahead...
676
00:31:38,139 --> 00:31:40,806
he runs into trouble.
677
00:31:40,906 --> 00:31:42,173
Broom crew,
678
00:31:42,272 --> 00:31:45,339
when you guys get
to the north end,
679
00:31:45,439 --> 00:31:47,073
do a double pass
on the center line.
680
00:31:47,173 --> 00:31:49,673
We have some slick spots
that we need to remove.
681
00:31:50,706 --> 00:31:53,073
[narrator]
Ice is forming under the snow.
682
00:31:54,073 --> 00:31:58,106
A skid on landing
or takeoff could be deadly.
683
00:31:58,206 --> 00:32:01,239
[Lance] There would be
a loss of control,
684
00:32:01,339 --> 00:32:03,139
due to a slick spot.
685
00:32:03,239 --> 00:32:06,439
That's why we have to remove it
as soon as possible
686
00:32:06,539 --> 00:32:08,173
with whatever means possible.
687
00:32:08,272 --> 00:32:11,906
[narrator] The thermometer
is now hitting 25 below.
688
00:32:12,006 --> 00:32:15,373
♪ tense, dramatic music ♪
689
00:32:15,472 --> 00:32:18,806
Deicing is not an option.
690
00:32:18,906 --> 00:32:20,939
With these temperatures,
the chemical
691
00:32:21,039 --> 00:32:23,839
that we use
isn't going to cut it.
692
00:32:23,939 --> 00:32:25,939
It'll just freeze.
693
00:32:27,039 --> 00:32:30,472
[narrator] The only solution
is brute force.
694
00:32:30,573 --> 00:32:33,673
♪ upbeat, energetic music ♪
695
00:32:33,772 --> 00:32:36,539
Plastic and steel bristles
attack the ice.
696
00:32:38,272 --> 00:32:41,139
And 450-mile-an-hour blowers
force it away
697
00:32:41,239 --> 00:32:44,272
from the path
of incoming planes.
698
00:32:45,339 --> 00:32:47,306
[Ian]
I don't think
699
00:32:47,406 --> 00:32:49,106
there's a piece of machinery
quite like
700
00:32:49,206 --> 00:32:51,272
the broom truck for being able
701
00:32:51,373 --> 00:32:55,206
to maintain runway services.
702
00:32:55,306 --> 00:32:58,339
It's a pretty impressive,
strong piece of machinery.
703
00:32:59,339 --> 00:33:01,306
[narrator]
At 9:50 a.m...
704
00:33:01,406 --> 00:33:02,806
[Lance]
Two-ten approved.
705
00:33:02,906 --> 00:33:05,039
Two-zero right
from the north end.
706
00:33:05,139 --> 00:33:07,739
[narrator]
...Lance gives the all clear
707
00:33:07,839 --> 00:33:09,639
for the runway to open.
708
00:33:09,739 --> 00:33:10,939
[attendant]
Hello.
709
00:33:11,039 --> 00:33:13,139
[narrator]
There are 130 passengers
710
00:33:13,239 --> 00:33:16,239
for the Fur Rondy
on the first flight.
711
00:33:16,339 --> 00:33:17,806
- [attendant] Have a good day.
- [man] You, too.
712
00:33:17,906 --> 00:33:20,239
[narrator]
Right on schedule...
713
00:33:20,339 --> 00:33:23,073
[controller] Runway two-five
right, clear for takeoff.
714
00:33:23,173 --> 00:33:25,706
[narrator] ...the party plane
takes to the skies.
715
00:33:25,906 --> 00:33:28,073
♪
716
00:33:30,806 --> 00:33:32,373
[all cheering]
717
00:33:32,472 --> 00:33:34,373
[announcer]
Go, ladies! Go!
718
00:33:34,472 --> 00:33:36,139
[narrator]
Everyone's on scene
719
00:33:36,239 --> 00:33:39,206
for the big event
to kick off in style.
720
00:33:39,306 --> 00:33:41,139
Come on, bring it on!
Give us that snow angel!
721
00:33:41,239 --> 00:33:44,639
Everyone in Alaska is here,
I feel like.
722
00:33:44,739 --> 00:33:46,139
And we're all just hanging out,
723
00:33:46,239 --> 00:33:48,106
having a good time.
724
00:33:48,206 --> 00:33:50,073
It's a homecoming
for all of us.
725
00:33:50,173 --> 00:33:52,539
North, south, east, west,
726
00:33:52,639 --> 00:33:54,472
all one big family.
727
00:33:54,573 --> 00:33:57,139
♪ upbeat music ♪
728
00:33:59,472 --> 00:34:01,373
[controller] One-nine-zero
cleared for takeoff,
729
00:34:01,472 --> 00:34:03,139
two-five, right.
FedEx 22 heavy.
730
00:34:05,073 --> 00:34:07,573
[narrator] For heavy lifting
in the last frontier,
731
00:34:07,673 --> 00:34:11,505
Alaskans rely
on Northern Air Cargo,
732
00:34:11,606 --> 00:34:15,873
the state's oldest
and biggest all-freight airline.
733
00:34:15,972 --> 00:34:19,706
They fly
to ten hubs across Alaska.
734
00:34:19,806 --> 00:34:20,806
[representative]
We service
735
00:34:20,906 --> 00:34:22,339
remote towns and villages
736
00:34:22,438 --> 00:34:24,572
all the way up
into the Arctic Circle.
737
00:34:25,572 --> 00:34:26,972
Whatever our customers need,
738
00:34:27,072 --> 00:34:28,306
we'll take up there.
739
00:34:31,639 --> 00:34:33,406
[narrator]
It's 8 a.m.,
740
00:34:33,505 --> 00:34:35,572
and in the warehouse,
741
00:34:35,672 --> 00:34:39,373
the day crew are just beginning
their shift.
742
00:34:39,472 --> 00:34:42,005
This morning, they're preparing
an urgent delivery
743
00:34:42,106 --> 00:34:44,005
to the village of Aniak,
744
00:34:44,106 --> 00:34:46,139
320 miles to the west.
745
00:34:47,539 --> 00:34:51,273
The flight is scheduled
to leave in ten hours,
746
00:34:51,373 --> 00:34:53,572
but the only available plane
747
00:34:53,672 --> 00:34:55,639
is still in the shop.
748
00:34:55,739 --> 00:34:58,039
Hydraulics coming on!
749
00:35:00,006 --> 00:35:01,706
♪ upbeat, energetic music ♪
750
00:35:01,806 --> 00:35:04,039
[narrator] John Lauren
is running the inspection
751
00:35:04,139 --> 00:35:07,172
that will clear the plane
to fly.
752
00:35:07,273 --> 00:35:08,606
[John Lauren]
You don't want any damage there
753
00:35:08,706 --> 00:35:10,539
or corrosion
or anything like that, so,
754
00:35:10,639 --> 00:35:12,639
this is definitely
a huge inspection.
755
00:35:12,739 --> 00:35:16,873
[narrator] The converted 737
passenger aircraft is on loan
756
00:35:16,972 --> 00:35:19,273
from sister company Aloha Air.
757
00:35:19,373 --> 00:35:21,006
[John] Having an aircraft
in the hangar,
758
00:35:21,106 --> 00:35:22,506
that's just money lost,
759
00:35:22,606 --> 00:35:25,739
and we need to get this back
in the air as soon as possible.
760
00:35:28,439 --> 00:35:31,206
[narrator] The most critical
part of John's inspection
761
00:35:31,306 --> 00:35:34,672
is the 1,200-square-feet
cargo deck.
762
00:35:35,706 --> 00:35:38,006
He's checking
the freight attachment points,
763
00:35:38,106 --> 00:35:40,006
known as bear traps.
764
00:35:40,106 --> 00:35:41,873
[John]
The bear trap
765
00:35:42,006 --> 00:35:43,839
is a locking system
that keeps all the cargo
766
00:35:43,939 --> 00:35:45,639
in position in flight.
767
00:35:45,739 --> 00:35:47,839
It keeps everything stationary.
768
00:35:47,939 --> 00:35:49,839
You definitely don't want
cargo moving around
769
00:35:49,939 --> 00:35:51,472
while the aircraft is moving.
770
00:35:51,572 --> 00:35:54,072
♪ dramatic music ♪
771
00:35:57,072 --> 00:35:59,239
That one didn't sound the best.
772
00:36:03,672 --> 00:36:06,506
I'll definitely have to look
at that one.
773
00:36:06,606 --> 00:36:10,306
[narrator] The bearings on at
least two bear traps are faulty.
774
00:36:10,406 --> 00:36:13,672
That's another
busted roller here.
775
00:36:14,672 --> 00:36:17,373
[narrator]
If a bear trap fails in flight,
776
00:36:17,472 --> 00:36:19,373
a two-ton pallet
could break loose
777
00:36:19,472 --> 00:36:21,539
and destabilize the plane.
778
00:36:21,639 --> 00:36:23,706
[John]
They're just no longer able
779
00:36:23,806 --> 00:36:25,873
to support any load, and so,
780
00:36:25,972 --> 00:36:28,873
we definitely want to replace
those as soon as possible.
781
00:36:28,972 --> 00:36:32,106
[narrator]
Now, John has just eight hours
782
00:36:32,206 --> 00:36:34,906
to finish the inspection
and get the repairs done.
783
00:36:35,006 --> 00:36:36,972
It is going to be very tight.
784
00:36:37,072 --> 00:36:39,939
[narrator]
And the food for a whole village
785
00:36:40,039 --> 00:36:42,506
is stuck
out on the loading ramp.
786
00:36:42,606 --> 00:36:45,039
Getting it out there is
really important today.
787
00:36:45,139 --> 00:36:47,739
If we have
any more interruptions,
788
00:36:47,839 --> 00:36:50,239
this could put the entire flight
at risk.
789
00:36:56,638 --> 00:36:57,705
[mechanical beeping]
790
00:36:57,805 --> 00:37:00,805
♪ upbeat music ♪
791
00:37:01,805 --> 00:37:05,138
[narrator] At Northern
Air Cargo's Anchorage HQ,
792
00:37:05,238 --> 00:37:09,138
maintenance lead John Lauren
has discovered problems
793
00:37:09,238 --> 00:37:13,672
on the cargo deck
of a Boeing 737.
794
00:37:14,672 --> 00:37:16,305
[John]
That one didn't sound the best.
795
00:37:16,405 --> 00:37:20,572
[narrator] The broken locks,
known as bear traps,
796
00:37:20,672 --> 00:37:24,538
could allow heavy freight
to break free mid-flight.
797
00:37:25,538 --> 00:37:27,672
[John] The bear traps
hold cargo in place.
798
00:37:27,772 --> 00:37:31,005
They're very crucial
to the actual structure,
799
00:37:31,105 --> 00:37:35,038
and prevent any damage to the
aircraft while it's in motion.
800
00:37:36,072 --> 00:37:38,272
[narrator]
In just six hours,
801
00:37:38,372 --> 00:37:40,438
this plane has
to be back in action
802
00:37:40,538 --> 00:37:42,438
to deliver critical supplies
803
00:37:42,538 --> 00:37:44,538
to the remote village of Aniak.
804
00:37:44,738 --> 00:37:46,972
♪
805
00:37:47,072 --> 00:37:49,105
It's important that we get
out there today and on time.
806
00:37:50,105 --> 00:37:53,038
[crew member] If that didn't
happen, the village would be
807
00:37:53,138 --> 00:37:54,172
on survival mode.
808
00:37:58,472 --> 00:38:00,605
[John]
Yeah, I need better tools here.
809
00:38:00,705 --> 00:38:02,838
[narrator] John gets straight
to work on repairs
810
00:38:02,938 --> 00:38:04,705
for the broken bear traps...
811
00:38:04,805 --> 00:38:07,105
♪ upbeat music ♪
812
00:38:07,205 --> 00:38:08,972
[narrator] ...while
lead aircraft technician
813
00:38:09,072 --> 00:38:12,605
George Pederson
takes on inspection duties.
814
00:38:14,872 --> 00:38:17,605
[George] My whole existence--
to find broken stuff.
815
00:38:19,638 --> 00:38:22,405
[narrator] The former roofer
has spent two decades
816
00:38:22,505 --> 00:38:26,372
keeping cargo safe
in the Alaskan skies.
817
00:38:27,338 --> 00:38:29,272
[George] One day
I was just hanging off a roof,
818
00:38:29,372 --> 00:38:30,938
busting ice off an edge,
819
00:38:31,038 --> 00:38:33,238
and I just said,
820
00:38:33,338 --> 00:38:35,438
"I got to do something else.
This sucks." [laughs]
821
00:38:36,938 --> 00:38:39,105
Got a job here,
and been here ever since.
822
00:38:41,138 --> 00:38:42,438
It's been a fun time.
823
00:38:42,538 --> 00:38:44,105
♪ dramatic music ♪
824
00:38:44,205 --> 00:38:48,172
[narrator] He's checking
the cargo rollers for faults.
825
00:38:48,272 --> 00:38:50,638
They allow heavy pallets
to move safely
826
00:38:50,738 --> 00:38:53,405
along the 77-foot-long cargo deck.
827
00:38:53,505 --> 00:38:56,772
I think the hardest part
for me is, uh,
828
00:38:56,872 --> 00:38:59,205
getting up and down. [laughs]
829
00:38:59,305 --> 00:39:02,038
Getting a little old.
830
00:39:02,138 --> 00:39:04,672
[narrator] To prevent
the rollers coming loose,
831
00:39:04,772 --> 00:39:08,638
George tightens each of them
to 90 pounds of torque.
832
00:39:08,738 --> 00:39:10,038
[George]
I love nuts and bolts.
833
00:39:10,138 --> 00:39:12,272
It takes a little time, but...
834
00:39:12,372 --> 00:39:15,372
hey, what else am I going to do
with my day? [laughs]
835
00:39:15,472 --> 00:39:17,205
♪ tense, dramatic music ♪
836
00:39:17,305 --> 00:39:20,272
[narrator] By the time
he finishes, it's 5 p.m.
837
00:39:20,372 --> 00:39:24,805
The supplies for Aniak are due
to depart in one hour.
838
00:39:26,538 --> 00:39:28,338
But in the hangar...
839
00:39:28,438 --> 00:39:30,005
This is a good find.
It's a good, solid find.
840
00:39:30,105 --> 00:39:32,572
[narrator] ...John is still
racing to finish up the repairs
841
00:39:32,672 --> 00:39:34,238
to the bear traps.
842
00:39:34,338 --> 00:39:36,805
This groove here--
that's not supposed to be there.
843
00:39:36,905 --> 00:39:39,372
And it was worn down by the
failed bearing in the roller,
844
00:39:39,472 --> 00:39:42,305
and so, this could have
snapped in flight.
845
00:39:43,538 --> 00:39:44,772
[narrator]
After switching out
846
00:39:44,872 --> 00:39:47,772
the damaged rollers
and bearings,
847
00:39:47,872 --> 00:39:50,705
they go to George
for the installation.
848
00:39:51,672 --> 00:39:54,372
[George]
There are the two new ones.
849
00:39:54,472 --> 00:39:57,272
[narrator] 30 minutes
before scheduled departure...
850
00:39:57,372 --> 00:40:00,038
There we go.
851
00:40:00,138 --> 00:40:02,272
Those ones are good to go.
852
00:40:02,372 --> 00:40:06,538
[narrator] ...they slot
into place perfectly.
853
00:40:06,638 --> 00:40:08,938
Yeah, it's looking pretty good
in here. Look at that.
854
00:40:09,038 --> 00:40:10,638
Getting it done.
855
00:40:10,738 --> 00:40:12,205
♪ energetic music ♪
856
00:40:12,305 --> 00:40:14,472
[narrator]
The plane is finally ready.
857
00:40:18,005 --> 00:40:20,472
Now it's up to the cargo team.
858
00:40:24,705 --> 00:40:28,372
A pallet of supplies
weighs 4,000 pounds.
859
00:40:31,105 --> 00:40:34,672
A scissor lift raises each one
ten feet up
860
00:40:34,772 --> 00:40:36,438
to the cargo bay door.
861
00:40:36,538 --> 00:40:38,438
[crew member]
Ready?
862
00:40:38,538 --> 00:40:40,472
Put her in.
863
00:40:40,572 --> 00:40:42,372
Let's go.
864
00:40:42,472 --> 00:40:46,438
[narrator] And the freshly
repaired bear claws secure them
865
00:40:46,538 --> 00:40:48,072
in place.
866
00:40:48,172 --> 00:40:50,205
One.
867
00:40:50,305 --> 00:40:52,605
Two. Good.
868
00:40:53,972 --> 00:40:56,905
This is what we call "turn
and burn." We made it happen.
869
00:40:57,005 --> 00:40:58,605
Maintenance got the jet out
of the hangar.
870
00:40:58,705 --> 00:41:00,505
We got it over here to the ramp.
871
00:41:00,605 --> 00:41:03,872
Our cargo's on,
and we're ready to go.
872
00:41:04,905 --> 00:41:07,238
[narrator]
Ten minutes ahead of schedule,
873
00:41:07,338 --> 00:41:10,038
the 737 starts its taxi roll
874
00:41:10,138 --> 00:41:13,005
with 20 tons
of supplies on board.
875
00:41:13,105 --> 00:41:14,872
[controller] Left one-nine-zero,
clear for takeoff.
876
00:41:14,972 --> 00:41:17,238
Two-five right, two-two heavy.
877
00:41:17,338 --> 00:41:19,072
[narrator]
For takeoff, it accelerates
878
00:41:19,172 --> 00:41:22,772
to 170 miles per hour
879
00:41:22,872 --> 00:41:25,272
and heads west toward Aniak,
880
00:41:25,372 --> 00:41:27,872
where the people
won't be going hungry.
881
00:41:27,972 --> 00:41:30,005
♪ upbeat music ♪
882
00:41:33,438 --> 00:41:34,672
[Wes] I always watch out
for that knucklehead
883
00:41:34,772 --> 00:41:36,605
coming in
on the three-mile final.
884
00:41:38,038 --> 00:41:40,105
[narrator]
Greenhorn pilot Chase Ringler
885
00:41:40,205 --> 00:41:42,105
is on his final test landing
886
00:41:42,205 --> 00:41:44,905
with instructor Wes Erb.
887
00:41:46,605 --> 00:41:48,838
Let's just do one more here,
and then we'll call it.
888
00:41:48,938 --> 00:41:51,272
[narrator]
If he passes the test, he might
889
00:41:51,372 --> 00:41:54,405
be able to repay
his 77-year-old grandpa
890
00:41:54,505 --> 00:41:56,838
for all the free flying lessons.
891
00:41:56,938 --> 00:42:00,338
[Mues]
For Chase to solo and be able
892
00:42:00,438 --> 00:42:02,772
to take my plane out
whenever he wants to,
893
00:42:02,872 --> 00:42:05,738
providing he buys the gas,
will be
894
00:42:05,838 --> 00:42:07,872
a wonderful thing.
895
00:42:08,838 --> 00:42:10,638
[narrator]
Chase's first attempt
896
00:42:10,738 --> 00:42:13,905
at a three-wheel landing
was too fast.
897
00:42:14,005 --> 00:42:16,038
This time, he has a new plan.
898
00:42:17,872 --> 00:42:19,305
[Chase] So, what I'm going
to do is, I'm going to try
899
00:42:19,405 --> 00:42:21,672
to not lose a bunch
of altitude on my down winds,
900
00:42:21,772 --> 00:42:23,372
so that way,
it's more of a steep approach.
901
00:42:23,472 --> 00:42:24,838
[Wes]
I like that.
902
00:42:26,838 --> 00:42:29,572
[narrator]
With Grandpa John watching on...
903
00:42:29,672 --> 00:42:33,038
I have
to show his grandmother this.
904
00:42:33,138 --> 00:42:35,838
[narrator] ...Chase eases off
the throttle on descent,
905
00:42:35,938 --> 00:42:40,238
slowing the Taylorcraft
to 55 miles an hour.
906
00:42:40,338 --> 00:42:42,538
[Mues]
Now he's doing a forward slip
907
00:42:42,638 --> 00:42:44,305
to lose altitude and airspeed.
908
00:42:44,405 --> 00:42:46,472
♪ upbeat, energetic music ♪
909
00:42:49,172 --> 00:42:51,072
Yeah.
910
00:42:51,172 --> 00:42:52,972
He's getting ready to flare.
911
00:42:53,938 --> 00:42:57,372
[narrator]
Lifting the nose, or flaring,
912
00:42:57,472 --> 00:42:59,872
just before touchdown
allows Chase
913
00:42:59,972 --> 00:43:03,138
to lower the tail wheel
for a three-point landing.
914
00:43:03,238 --> 00:43:05,905
Hold it off, hold it off.
915
00:43:07,138 --> 00:43:08,705
Hold it off.
916
00:43:08,805 --> 00:43:11,172
Oh, yeah!
Back in your belly.
917
00:43:15,405 --> 00:43:17,072
Fabulous.
918
00:43:17,172 --> 00:43:19,105
That is awesome!
919
00:43:20,105 --> 00:43:21,705
[narrator]
After a rocky start,
920
00:43:21,805 --> 00:43:25,938
Chase has nailed one of
the trickiest landing techniques
921
00:43:26,038 --> 00:43:27,238
in bush aviation.
922
00:43:27,338 --> 00:43:28,572
Well, Chase,
923
00:43:28,672 --> 00:43:30,472
- congratulations, my friend.
- Thank you.
924
00:43:30,572 --> 00:43:31,905
And now you can consider
yourself a true
925
00:43:32,005 --> 00:43:33,205
and proper pilot.
926
00:43:33,305 --> 00:43:34,872
Congratulations.
927
00:43:36,772 --> 00:43:38,805
John,
it's a pleasure to meet you,
928
00:43:38,905 --> 00:43:41,205
and you raised
a mighty fine pilot here.
929
00:43:41,305 --> 00:43:43,205
[narrator]
Chase has taken a major step
930
00:43:43,305 --> 00:43:46,505
towards becoming
a fully qualified pilot.
931
00:43:46,605 --> 00:43:48,038
You look good in that hat.
932
00:43:48,138 --> 00:43:52,772
[narrator] One less thing
for Grandpa John to worry about.
933
00:43:52,872 --> 00:43:54,772
I feel very proud
of my grandson.
934
00:43:54,872 --> 00:43:56,705
This-this is a wonderful day
for me.
935
00:43:56,805 --> 00:43:59,905
It's really a pleasure to watch.
936
00:44:00,005 --> 00:44:01,905
[Chase] Yeah, I'm good.
Just excited
937
00:44:02,005 --> 00:44:03,472
to fly again and learn more.
938
00:44:34,371 --> 00:44:36,371
♪ "MTV Theme" plays ♪