Joe's career has been defined by a famously "turbulent" relationship with Transport Canada.
While the cameras for the hit reality series Ice Pilots NWT stopped rolling years ago, Joe McBryan’s life in Yellowknife has not slowed down. He continues to fly the iconic World War II-era Douglas DC-3, maintaining what was long recognized as the only scheduled DC-3 passenger service in the world.
Joe McBryan , known worldwide as "Buffalo Joe," remains the president and a senior pilot at Buffalo Airways , the legendary northern airline he founded in 1970. As of May 2026, Joe continues to be an active presence in the skies, despite high-profile regulatory battles and a shift in his day-to-day management responsibilities. Continuing the Legacy: From "Ice Pilots" to Today
Even as recently as March 2026, Joe faced a brief 10-day pilot license suspension over allegations of flying in low-visibility conditions two years prior—a move Joe characterized as federal regulators "setting an example" due to his high profile. A Family Affair
Though Joe remains the face of the company, his children have taken on significant leadership roles to ensure the airline's longevity:
Joe's career has been defined by a famously "turbulent" relationship with Transport Canada.
While the cameras for the hit reality series Ice Pilots NWT stopped rolling years ago, Joe McBryan’s life in Yellowknife has not slowed down. He continues to fly the iconic World War II-era Douglas DC-3, maintaining what was long recognized as the only scheduled DC-3 passenger service in the world. what happened to joe mcbryan
Joe McBryan , known worldwide as "Buffalo Joe," remains the president and a senior pilot at Buffalo Airways , the legendary northern airline he founded in 1970. As of May 2026, Joe continues to be an active presence in the skies, despite high-profile regulatory battles and a shift in his day-to-day management responsibilities. Continuing the Legacy: From "Ice Pilots" to Today Joe's career has been defined by a famously
Even as recently as March 2026, Joe faced a brief 10-day pilot license suspension over allegations of flying in low-visibility conditions two years prior—a move Joe characterized as federal regulators "setting an example" due to his high profile. A Family Affair Joe McBryan , known worldwide as "Buffalo Joe,"
Though Joe remains the face of the company, his children have taken on significant leadership roles to ensure the airline's longevity:
