Buffalo Wings...

Not to typical crossing warning!

Coming from Niagara, a common trip into the U.S. was an evening that included a bite to eat. Often it involved stopping at one of those restaurant/bar combos in Niagara Falls, NY like La Hacienda or in more recent years Gagster's. The meal would often pizza and those ever famous deep fried chicken wings coated with the special sauce...made famous by the Anchor Bar in Buffalo in 1964.

The story of those Buffalo wings is well documented...as are a different kind of Buffalo Wing. That would be the wings of the air fleet of Buffalo Airways. Originally founded in 1970 at Hay River, Northwest Territory by "Buffalo Joe" McBryan, it was founded as a family business. Expanding into Red Deer, Alberta, it's main base and maintenance hangar is located at Yellowknife's YZF airport.

Commemorative towel

Monday, this week, while waiting for the weather to clear up north in Cambridge Bay, I happened to make a phone call. A few short questions on both sides and the person who answered, said sure come on over, we'll get you a tour. After a few last minute tasks had been completed in case the flight should be able to go out on tuesday, I got over there a little after 3. Already the sun was low in the sky.

Wooden "nose" ski from years past

The yard was scattered with organized relics all snow covered where they had been left long before the winter winds had started to blow. Across the field about 300 yards away stood a fleet of CL215's, all snow coated, their yellow hulls standing strong against the wind in the failing light. I climbed a snowbank so that my camera could record atop the barb-wire topped frost fencing without impairment.

DC4 in the "yard" as the sun sets 

Going back across the snow covered parking area, I discovered the famous "buffalo crossing" sign at several access points in their parking areas and made my way through the passenger waiting area to the gift shop. The clerk in the store must have taken pity on me from my reaction to her statement that tours are at ten and 2...as she then proceeded to close the store and escort me through the complex.

Forest Fire fighting capabilities
using their own planes and operating the NWT fleet

A personal tour...to the mecca of northern flight. She donned the yellow safety vest and gave me instructions to follow while on the property. Watch for fluids on the floors, ice outside, and grounding cables attached on the floor to the aircraft to reduce static and sparks. It was reinforced that this was a working hangar with multiple aircraft in various states of maintenance and repair. Don't touch, ask questions and, of course, feel free to photograph.

The very close proximity of aircraft...watch your head, watch your feet !

My afternoon in Yellowknife had just become a classic. We started back in the waiting area, the overhead lights having been illuminated so we could discuss the various objects throughout the room. A story with each lasted a few minutes, and then a door ten feet away was opened and we entered the hangar. 

Suspended above and the fabric "air duct" extensions

Well lit, this huge room contained 2 CL-215's, the Curtiss C-46,  and assorted chase planes that accompany the water bombers as spotters. They were all with engines removed, hatches opened or scaffolds surrounded. Hanging from the ceiling was a red air frame fully functional, but hoisted to avoid space limitations. Dangling from the overhead furnaces were long fabric "ducting" which spread hot air to heat the floor work area, a lifeline given the colder outside temperatures. Along the moveable  hangar door were curtains to reduce heat loss. It was -25C outside by now.

Small or large...they service and fly them all over Canada's North

Once outside, we walked past more of their fleet, also ice encrusted, and along the building towards the main Yellowknife airport runway to observe the setting sun and take some shots of the main hangar door. As we made our way along an Air Tindi craft began its decent as the sun was descending below the horizon. Once landed, it taxied passed us as the wind was now howling stronger. 

My tour guide escorted us back through another door and my hour plus tour had ended, like most tours, in the gift shop. I got a mug to use at the Health Centre when I get there and many things to consider when I return on my trip south after my "duty" has ended.

NWT Water Bomber under maintenance
and getting ready for the next fire season

All shapes, sizes, and uses  

In previous visits north, I have documented the importance of air transport to today's modern arctic. The story of Buffalo Airways included scheduled passenger, charter passenger, cargo forest fire fighting and fuel services. More recently, it was the centrepiece of History Network's "Ice Pilots, NWT" and known throughout the US and UK as simply "Ice Pilots". This series premiered in November 2009 and ran for 6 seasons featuring post WW-II era propeller flying "year round". Re-runs are still available, if you look closely.

Air travel in and around the north is a vital lifeline that cannot be reinforced enough. These brave women and men fly in all kinds of varied conditions. In some cases, they are hoping to increase their experience and flight hours to qualify for their next big step. Others, just love to fly..and experience the north.

The Curtiss

It's not just the passengers that are on their flights. Their precious cargo also help stock the grocery stores and hardware supplies, and clothing and...the list goes on. Everything that can't arrive by sea lift (when the waters are open) arrives by plane in Nunavut.  There are no inter-community roads.

The Luftansa logo remains after all these years on the C46 Curtiss

AND their precious cargo also includes, patients. When possible, our patients travel by commercial transport, for elected surgeries or for diagnostic and treatment procedures. We had two people working the "Travel Office" for the Kivillaq Health Centre in Rankin Inlet. Cambridge Bay being smaller may have one or someone who does "double duty".

When it is not an elective situation, a whole new set of standards come into focus.  Communities here in the north do not have access to emergency surgeries with the exception of Iqaluit which boasts a fully serviced hospital. Most of the hamlets link to emergency services through the med-evac transport planes and jets. 

These vehicles of the air are small enough for 4...Pilot, co-pilot, paramedic, and a family member plus, of course, the patient. They are efficient and are met on the ground by emergency care paramedics and ambulances upon arrival at their destination.  

I never got to see inside one while at Rankin Inlet but in Cambridge Bay who knows.


DEDICATION:  Todays' edition is dedicated to Cliff Scott and Sam Martyk, two true pioneers in their own rite. These two visioneers of model flying have started and encouraged more "pilots" than their years. Their forward thinking, using electric power sources, and working steadfastly with the City of St. Catharines, Parks & Recreation people have allowed the "over 50" electric model flying program to grow and prosper. Over the past three years, since I became involved, we have doubled the number of seniors attending and more venues are developing and expanding under their watchful eye. 

Too often, we dedicate and thank those long after they have left us. I would not have the interest, today, in electric model flying, were it not for these two fine guys. There are many others who have contributed and continue to assist me today...and they deserve thanks as well...but a true pioneer takes the lead...and continues to press into new and sometimes dangerous waters and are seldom recognized for their work. THANKS BOYS !!!  

P.S. the quadcopter V686 arrived intact and operational. It was here when I arrived on Tuesday. Who knows, by the time we leave, with the sun growing stronger and if the winds diminish to near zero, we could have some aerial footage of this community.