34 Aviation News incorporating Classic Aircraft May 2016outposts and Canadian Forces Station Alert,
the most northerly permanently inhabited
location in the world, just 508 miles (817km)
from the geographic North Pole. In addition
to its ‘piston pounders’, Buffalo has a eet
of six Lockheed L-188 Electra freighters, as
well as the newly acquired C-FIJX which is
tted out as a re-bomber. Also, used for
re ghting are eight Canadair CL-215s. The
carrier also operates a eet of small twins,
mostly from the Beechcraft stable, including
Queen Air C-FGCE, Baron C-GYFM and
Travel Air C-GIWJ marked ‘Airtanker 7
Birddog’. These are used as re-spotters
and as crew transport for engineers in case
of emergencies. Suspended from the roof of
its Yellowknife hangar is a rare Fleet 80 CF-
DQJ, and Joe has his ‘pet’ aircraft, Noorduyn
Norseman CF-SAN on oats at Hay River.LOOKING FORWARD
What of the future for Buffalo Airways?
Mikey was asked if Buffalo had considered
the Basler BT-67 turbo conversion of the
Dakota. “Basler have taken a great airplane
and improved it, but their market, aimed at
polar work, survey and gunships, is more
sophisticated than ours,” he explained.
“Buffalo is doing ‘bread and butter’ work.
Basler will be making money in the 2040s; it
is unlikely DC-3s will be doing that, though
some will still be ying as museum pieces.”
The accident involving C-46 Commando
C-GTXW occurred when the 1944-vintage
aircraft was operating a freight ight from
Yellowknife to Norman Wells. The aircraft’s
right engine was losing oil and there was
a propeller overspeed, so the prop was
feathered. Because the aircraft lost height
when the engine was shut down, the crew
diverted to Déline. They determined that the
drag caused by the lowered landing gear
would increase descent rate and they would
not make it to the runway. Consequently,
it was decided to belly land the aircraft on
the runway, it then ran off the end. Nobody
was hurt and the crew evacuated safely, but
the aircraft was destroyed. Initial ndings
indicated the oil scavenge pump hadfailed. The eet is now down to two C-46
Commandos.
During the suspension First Air continued
to y the Yellowknife to Hay River route as it
has over previous years, operating it with an
ATR 42 aircraft.
Buffalo Airways engaged aviation safety
consultant, Sol Taboada of DTI Training to
help liaise with Transport Canada, and its
AOC was subsequently restored on January
12, only for freight. Joe McBryan has agreed
to step away from the day-to-day runningof the airline; however, it is likely he will
continue to work as DC-3 pilot – after all, it’s
in his blood.
Buffalo plans to resume the daily Sked
between Hay River and Yellowknife and is
hopeful of having the service back up and
running by the summer, although details are
still to be nalised. Throughout this setback,
the communities the airline serves have
supported the company because for them
Buffalo is more than just an airline, it is a
lifeline.Above: Passengers take their seats on board C-GZWS for one of the ights the author
experienced with Buffalo Airways.
Below: Buffalo ‘Dak’ C-FLFR taxies in at Hay River on the daily freight ight during the author’s
visit in July. All photos Ken Cothliff unless stated30-34_buffaloDC.mfDC.mfDCDC.indd 34 08/04/2016 14:24