Buffalo Airways
Encyclopedia
Buffalo Airways is a family-run airline
based in Hay River
, Northwest Territories
, Canada
established in 1970 by Joe McBryan, also known as "Buffalo Joe". It operates scheduled passenger, scheduled cargo, charter passenger, charter cargo, firefighting
and fuel services. Its main base is at Yellowknife Airport
(CYZF) with two other bases at Hay River Airport
(CYHY) and Red Deer Regional Airport
(CYQF). The Red Deer
base is the main storage and maintenance facility.
, television show Ice Pilots NWT
, Buffalo has expanded their clothing company to feature over 30 products and launched a full service product website called BuffaloAirWear.com. The show which is produced by Omni Film Productions and shown on History Television
features the day-to-day operations at the Buffalo Airways.
In 2011, Buffalo Airways was involved in a recreation of the historic Dam Busters
raids of WWII, being selected as the company to fly the mission, with their own plane and pilots. Buffalo would drop a recreation 'Upkeep' bouncing bomb
from their DC-4. The project was documented in the documentary television show Dambusters Fly Again in Canada, and Dambusters: Building the Bouncing Bomb in the UK.
service as Buffalo Air Express which started in 1982/83. They offer service throughout the NWT and Northern Alberta
. In association with Global Interline Network they can ship around the world. They have bases in Yellowknife, Edmonton
and Hay River.
. These aircraft include specially converted Canso and C54/DC4. The C54/DC4 carries an external tank that can hold 20000 lb (9,071.8 kg) of fire retardant
and the Canso has two 800 imp gal (3,636.9 l). As part of their wildfire suppression work they operate the Canadair CL-215
for the Government of the Northwest Territories. The CL-215 holds 12000 lbs in two tanks which are filled in about 10 seconds while skimming over a lake. The waterbombers are assisted by smaller aircraft, such as the Beech 95
, that are known as "birdogs".
program as well as several other courses. According to Transport Canada
listings they have three aircraft, two single engine, an Aeronca Champion
and a Fleet Canuck
, and one helicopter, a Robinson R22
. On the Buffalo website they list the R22, a Bell 206
helicopter and a Beech 90 King Air
.
. The service also includes an airport shuttle
and a medical transfer bus.
The Buffalo Airways web site may give different numbers for some of the aircraft listed above as several are stored at Red Deer. For example the site says they have four Canso, two C-46 and also lists a Cessna 185
not in the Transport Canada listing.
since June 1994, with no fatalities.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
based in Hay River
Hay River, Northwest Territories
Hay River , known as "the Hub of the North," is a town in the Northwest Territories, Canada, located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake, at the mouth of the Hay River. The town is separated into two sections, a new town and an old town with the Hay River Airport between them...
, Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
established in 1970 by Joe McBryan, also known as "Buffalo Joe". It operates scheduled passenger, scheduled cargo, charter passenger, charter cargo, firefighting
Aerial firefighting
Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft and other aerial resources to combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Smokejumpers and rappellers are also classified as aerial firefighters, delivered to the fire by parachute from a variety of fixed-wing...
and fuel services. Its main base is at Yellowknife Airport
Yellowknife Airport
Yellowknife Airport is located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. The airport is part of the National Airports System, and is operated by the government of the Northwest Territories. The airport has regular scheduled passenger service, and is also used as a forward operating base for...
(CYZF) with two other bases at Hay River Airport
Hay River Airport
Hay River Airport is located north of Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada. Sandhill cranes may be found nesting on the aerodrome from May until September.-Airlines and destinations:...
(CYHY) and Red Deer Regional Airport
Red Deer Regional Airport
Red Deer Regional Airport, , is located south southwest of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. The airport is mostly general aviation and charter service, but is also served by two small scheduled commercial airlines, with non-stop service to Calgary, Edmonton, and several small communities in Alberta...
(CYQF). The Red Deer
Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills...
base is the main storage and maintenance facility.
Clothing company, television show and media
In 2007, Buffalo Airways started to produce a clothing line that included t-shirts, hoodies and hats. With the introduction of the Canwest Global, now Shaw MediaShaw Media
Shaw Media is the television broadcasting division of Shaw Communications. Shaw Media owns the Global Television Network, which broadcasts via 11 television stations, as well as various specialty channels including HGTV Canada, Showcase, Food Network Canada, and History Television.Despite also...
, television show Ice Pilots NWT
Ice Pilots NWT
Ice Pilots NWT is a reality television documentary series broadcast on History Television that portrays Buffalo Airways, an airline based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Buffalo flies WWII-era propeller planes year-round in the Canadian North. It premiered on November 18, 2009...
, Buffalo has expanded their clothing company to feature over 30 products and launched a full service product website called BuffaloAirWear.com. The show which is produced by Omni Film Productions and shown on History Television
History Television
History Television is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel that presents programming about history and some non-historical programming of military, science and technology interest. It is owned by Shaw Media. Its French language counterpart is Historia.The channel operates two...
features the day-to-day operations at the Buffalo Airways.
In 2011, Buffalo Airways was involved in a recreation of the historic Dam Busters
Operation Chastise
Operation Chastise was an attack on German dams carried out on 16–17 May 1943 by Royal Air Force No. 617 Squadron, subsequently known as the "Dambusters", using a specially developed "bouncing bomb" invented and developed by Barnes Wallis...
raids of WWII, being selected as the company to fly the mission, with their own plane and pilots. Buffalo would drop a recreation 'Upkeep' bouncing bomb
Bouncing bomb
A bouncing bomb is a bomb designed specifically to bounce to a target across water in a calculated manner, in order to avoid obstacles such as torpedo nets, and to allow both the bomb's speed on arrival at the target and the timing of its detonation to be pre-determined...
from their DC-4. The project was documented in the documentary television show Dambusters Fly Again in Canada, and Dambusters: Building the Bouncing Bomb in the UK.
Buffalo Air Express
Buffalo also operate a courierCourier
A courier is a person or a company who delivers messages, packages, and mail. Couriers are distinguished from ordinary mail services by features such as speed, security, tracking, signature, specialization and individualization of express services, and swift delivery times, which are optional for...
service as Buffalo Air Express which started in 1982/83. They offer service throughout the NWT and Northern Alberta
Northern Alberta
Northern Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta.Its primary industry is oil and gas, with large heavy oil reserves being exploited at the Athabasca Oil Sands and Wabasca Area in the east of the region...
. In association with Global Interline Network they can ship around the world. They have bases in Yellowknife, Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
and Hay River.
Firefighting
Buffalo owns several waterbombers which are available throughout the year rather than just during the regular fire season for forest firesWildfire
A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...
. These aircraft include specially converted Canso and C54/DC4. The C54/DC4 carries an external tank that can hold 20000 lb (9,071.8 kg) of fire retardant
Fire retardant
A fire retardant is a substance other than water that reduces flammability of fuels or delays their combustion. This typically refers to chemical retardants but may also include substances that work by physical action, such as cooling the fuels; examples of these include fire-fighting foams and...
and the Canso has two 800 imp gal (3,636.9 l). As part of their wildfire suppression work they operate the Canadair CL-215
Canadair CL-215
The Canadair CL-215 was the first model in a series of firefighting flying boat amphibious aircraft built by Canadair and later Bombardier. The CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft designed to operate well at low speed and in gust-loading circumstances, as are found over forest fires...
for the Government of the Northwest Territories. The CL-215 holds 12000 lbs in two tanks which are filled in about 10 seconds while skimming over a lake. The waterbombers are assisted by smaller aircraft, such as the Beech 95
Beechcraft Baron
|-See also:- Further reading :*Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK:Airlife Publishing, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.*Michell, Simon. Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994-95. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 1994. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.*Taylor, John W. R....
, that are known as "birdogs".
Buffalo School of Aviation
Buffalo offer an aviation school which offers an aircraft maintenance engineerAircraft Maintenance Engineer
An Aircraft maintenance engineer is a licenced person who carries out aircraft maintenance. This same title is used in a number of different counteries, including:*Aircraft maintenance engineer *Aircraft maintenance engineer...
program as well as several other courses. According to Transport Canada
Transport Canada
Transport Canada is the department within the government of Canada which is responsible for developing regulations, policies and services of transportation in Canada. It is part of the Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities portfolio...
listings they have three aircraft, two single engine, an Aeronca Champion
Aeronca Champion
The Aeronca Model 7 Champion, more commonly known as the Champ, is a single-engine, two-seat, fixed conventional gear airplane. Designed for flight training and personal use, it entered production in the United States in 1945....
and a Fleet Canuck
Fleet Canuck
-Similar Aircraft:*Cessna 120/140*Piper PA-15 Vagabond*Aeronca 11 Chief*Luscombe 8-References:NotesBibliography* Page, Ron D. and William Cumming. Fleet: The Flying Years. Erin, Ontario: Boston Mills Press, 1990. ISBN 1-55046-019-6.-External links:...
, and one helicopter, a Robinson R22
Robinson R22
The Robinson R22 is a two-bladed, single-engine light utility helicopter manufactured by Robinson Helicopter. The two-seat R22 was designed in 1973 by Frank Robinson and has been in production since 1979.-Development:...
. On the Buffalo website they list the R22, a Bell 206
Bell 206
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...
helicopter and a Beech 90 King Air
Beechcraft King Air
The Beechcraft King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation...
.
Destinations
The airline operates scheduled passenger services between Hay River and Yellowknife. Scheduled cargo services provide supplies from Yellowknife to Deline, Fort Good Hope, Norman Wells, and TulitaTulita
Tulita, which in Dene language means "where the rivers or waters meet," is a hamlet in the Sahtu Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. It was formerly known as Fort Norman, until 1 January 1996...
. The service also includes an airport shuttle
Airport bus
An airport bus, or airport shuttle bus or airport shuttle is a bus or coach used to transport people to/from, or within airports. These vehicles will usually be equipped with larger luggage space, and incorporate special branding....
and a medical transfer bus.
Fleet
As of January 2011 the Buffalo Airways fleet numbers 49 and the Buffalo School of Aviation 3, consisting of the following aircraft registered with Transport Canada:| Aircraft | No. of Aircraft | Variants | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeronca Champion Aeronca Champion The Aeronca Model 7 Champion, more commonly known as the Champ, is a single-engine, two-seat, fixed conventional gear airplane. Designed for flight training and personal use, it entered production in the United States in 1945.... |
1 | 7BCM | Buffalo School of Aviation |
| Beechcraft Baron Beechcraft Baron |-See also:- Further reading :*Harding, Stephen. U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Shrewsbury, UK:Airlife Publishing, 1990. ISBN 1-85310-102-8.*Michell, Simon. Jane's Civil and Military Aircraft Upgrades 1994-95. Coulsdon, UK:Jane's Information Group, 1994. ISBN 0-7106-1208-7.*Taylor, John W. R.... |
2 | 95-C55, D55 | bird dog, used to spot fires and guide waterbombers Aerial firefighting Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft and other aerial resources to combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Smokejumpers and rappellers are also classified as aerial firefighters, delivered to the fire by parachute from a variety of fixed-wing... |
| Beechcraft Travel Air | 3 | 95, B95 | bird dog |
| Beechcraft King Air Beechcraft King Air The Beechcraft King Air family is part of a line of twin-turboprop aircraft produced by the Beech Aircraft Corporation... |
3 | 65-A90 | |
| Canadair CL-215 Canadair CL-215 The Canadair CL-215 was the first model in a series of firefighting flying boat amphibious aircraft built by Canadair and later Bombardier. The CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft designed to operate well at low speed and in gust-loading circumstances, as are found over forest fires... |
6 | CL215 1A10 | waterbombers Aerial firefighting Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft and other aerial resources to combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Smokejumpers and rappellers are also classified as aerial firefighters, delivered to the fire by parachute from a variety of fixed-wing... |
| Consolidated Vultee (Canso) | 2 | PBY-5A | waterbombers Aerial firefighting Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft and other aerial resources to combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Smokejumpers and rappellers are also classified as aerial firefighters, delivered to the fire by parachute from a variety of fixed-wing... |
| Consolidated Vultee (Convair) | 1 | 240-27 | |
| Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando | 3 | C46A-45CU, C46D, C46F | Cargo Cargo aircraft A cargo aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft designed or converted for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers. They are usually devoid of passenger amenities, and generally feature one or more large doors for the loading and unloading of cargo... |
| Douglas C-54 Skymaster | 14 | C54A-DC, C54D-DC, C54E-DC, C54G-DC | Cargo Cargo aircraft A cargo aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft designed or converted for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers. They are usually devoid of passenger amenities, and generally feature one or more large doors for the loading and unloading of cargo... , waterbombers Aerial firefighting Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft and other aerial resources to combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Smokejumpers and rappellers are also classified as aerial firefighters, delivered to the fire by parachute from a variety of fixed-wing... |
| Douglas C-47 Skytrain | 2 | C-47A | Passenger Airliner An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft for transporting passengers and cargo. Such aircraft are operated by airlines. Although the definition of an airliner can vary from country to country, an airliner is typically defined as an aircraft intended for carrying multiple passengers in commercial... /cargo Cargo aircraft A cargo aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft designed or converted for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers. They are usually devoid of passenger amenities, and generally feature one or more large doors for the loading and unloading of cargo... /combi Combi In commercial aviation, the term combi refers to versions of various aircraft that can be used for either passenger, as an airliner would, or cargo duties, as a freighter would, and often have a partition in the aircraft cabin to allow both uses at once... . Wheels and wheel skis |
| Douglas DC-3 Douglas DC-3 The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made... |
9 | DC3C, DC3C-S1C3G | Passenger Airliner An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft for transporting passengers and cargo. Such aircraft are operated by airlines. Although the definition of an airliner can vary from country to country, an airliner is typically defined as an aircraft intended for carrying multiple passengers in commercial... /cargo Cargo aircraft A cargo aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft designed or converted for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers. They are usually devoid of passenger amenities, and generally feature one or more large doors for the loading and unloading of cargo... /combi Combi In commercial aviation, the term combi refers to versions of various aircraft that can be used for either passenger, as an airliner would, or cargo duties, as a freighter would, and often have a partition in the aircraft cabin to allow both uses at once... . Wheels and wheel skis |
| Fleet Canuck Fleet Canuck -Similar Aircraft:*Cessna 120/140*Piper PA-15 Vagabond*Aeronca 11 Chief*Luscombe 8-References:NotesBibliography* Page, Ron D. and William Cumming. Fleet: The Flying Years. Erin, Ontario: Boston Mills Press, 1990. ISBN 1-55046-019-6.-External links:... |
1 | 80 | Buffalo School of Aviation, aircraft is hanging from ceiling in Yellowknife hangar Hangar A hangar is a closed structure to hold aircraft or spacecraft in protective storage. Most hangars are built of metal, but other materials such as wood and concrete are also sometimes used... |
| Lockheed L-188 Electra Lockheed L-188 Electra The Lockheed Model 188 Electra is an American turboprop airliner built by Lockheed. First flying in 1957, it was the first large turboprop airliner produced in the United States. Initial sales were good, but after two fatal crashes which prompted an expensive modification program to fix a design... |
3 | 188A, 188C | Cargo Cargo aircraft A cargo aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft designed or converted for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers. They are usually devoid of passenger amenities, and generally feature one or more large doors for the loading and unloading of cargo... |
| Noorduyn Norseman Noorduyn Norseman The Noorduyn Norseman is a Canadian single-engine bush plane designed to operate from unimproved surfaces. Norseman aircraft are known to have been registered and/or operated in 68 countries throughout the world and also have been based and flown in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.-Design and... |
1 | MK. V | |
| Robinson R22 Robinson R22 The Robinson R22 is a two-bladed, single-engine light utility helicopter manufactured by Robinson Helicopter. The two-seat R22 was designed in 1973 by Frank Robinson and has been in production since 1979.-Development:... |
1 | R22 Beta | Buffalo School of Aviation, helicopter |
The Buffalo Airways web site may give different numbers for some of the aircraft listed above as several are stored at Red Deer. For example the site says they have four Canso, two C-46 and also lists a Cessna 185
Cessna 185
-Specification for differing configurations:-References:* Jan Churchill, Hit My Smoke: Forward Air Controllers in Southeast Asia, Sunflower University Press, Manhattan KS, ISBN 0-89745-215-1...
not in the Transport Canada listing.
Accidents and incidents
Buffalo Airways has had a total of six accidentsAviation accidents and incidents
An aviation accident is defined in the Convention on International Civil Aviation Annex 13 as an occurrence associated with the operation of an aircraft which takes place between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and all such persons have disembarked, in which a...
since June 1994, with no fatalities.
- On 26 June 1994, Douglas C-47A C-FROD crashed on approach to Fort Simpson AirportFort Simpson AirportFort Simpson Airport is located east southeast of Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories, Canada.-Accidents and incidents:*On 26 June 1994, Douglas C-47A C-FROD of Buffalo Airways crashed on approach due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft was on a cargo flight from Trout Lake Airport. There were two...
, Northwest Territories due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft was on a cargo flight from Trout Lake AirportTrout Lake Airport (Northwest Territories)Trout Lake Airport , is located adjacent to Trout Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada....
. There were two crew on board at that time. There were no fatalities but the aircraft was written off.
External links
- Buffalo Airways Buffalo Airways Website
- BuffaloAirWear.com
- Buffalo Air Express
- Ice Pilots NWT History Television TV Series Website
- Buffalo Airways at Red Deer Airport 2006
- Buffalo Airways at Red Deer Airport 2007