Flying Wild Alaska
Flying Wild Alaska is a documentary television series that aired on Discovery Channel in 2011 and 2012. The show features the Tweto family from Unalakleet, Alaska who run the Alaska airline Era Alaska. They operate the hub operations from Unalakleet. The show also features other segments from their bases in Barrow, Deadhorse, and other places.
Seasons
1. Meet the Twetos
Air Date: 2011-01-14
In the frigid Alaskan town of Unalakleet, the Tweto's and their family-run airline Era Alaska Aviation battle the arctic elements to transport supplies and passengers to some of the most non-accessible spots in North America.
2. Life or Death
Air Date: 2011-01-21
Pilot Luke Hickerson transports dangerous chemicals to Atqasuk; Jim makes arrangements for the transportation of the first casualty of winter.
3. Blow It Up
Air Date: 2011-01-28
In a dangerous mission, pilot Doug Doherty flies along Russian airspace to transport volatile explosives to the island of St Lawrence. In Unk, Ben slams into a large bird mid-flight.
4. Indian Summer
Air Date: 2011-02-04
Unseasonably warm weather sends Jim up to the Brooks Range to look for potential landing strips. Ferno and Ariel prepare an Eskimo feast for returning pilot John Ponts and the week ends with an icy plunge into the Unalakleet River.
5. Tundra Taxis
Air Date: 2011-02-11
In Bethel, construction crews race to finish ERA's newest hanger before the unforgiving winter snows arrive. But when Jim flies in to inspect the progress, he is far from happy. In Unalakleet, fierce crosswinds blow John Ponts' tiny 207 all over the sky.
6. Greenhorn Ben
Air Date: 2011-02-18
Pilot Yuri Ivanoff trains in Bethel; Jim tries to do a river landing in Unalakleet.
7. Deep Freeze
Air Date: 2011-02-25
A canine delivery to Iditarod champion Lance Mackey in Fairbanks.
8. Bush Brawl
Air Date: 2011-03-04
A dangerous frozen river landing leaves Jim and Ferno skating on thin ice, while Ariel's flying lessons end in disaster. The biggest snowstorm of the season hits, shutting down all of Western Alaska and leaving several Era pilots up in the air.
9. Trick or Tweto
Air Date: 2011-03-11
Halloween in Alaska brings vicious crosswinds that wreak havoc on Era's small planes. Ariel hopes to learn the family business in Unk, but a power blackout tests her abilities when she takes over as station manager.
10. Goodbye Sun
Air Date: 2011-03-18
The approaching winter darkness fuels a mass exodus from Unalakleet. In Barrow, a bootlegger attempts to smuggle in illegal liquor and Luke races to complete a daring rescue before the sun sets for two months straight.
1. Arctic Winds
Air Date: 2011-10-28
John Ponts fights heavy turbulence and angry passengers on a flight through the Nulato Hills. Jim and Ferno's leave the terminal in the hands of the pilots and Sarah's flight to rescue a villager lost in a storm turns into a battle for her own survival.
2. Tomorrow Island
Air Date: 2011-11-04
Two pilots push their limits to land vital vaccines two miles from Russia on Alaska's most treacherous runway. In Unalakleet, Ariel Tweto takes to the skies once again and proves that she still has a lot to learn.
3. Money in the Sky
Air Date: 2011-11-11
Two pilots attempt to deliver a specialty drill through a sea of fog. Luke brings the first ever ATM to Wainwright, along with a planeload of cash. Erik races to deliver passengers and critical supplies before a spring storm shuts him down.
4. Era Alaska Rises Again
Air Date: 2011-11-18
After two months of darkness, the villages of Western Alaska are desperate for fresh supplies. Jim attempts a risky landing on a frozen river and Luke has problems getting his plane in the air. A pilot flies to the Russian border to deliver vaccines.
5. Every Dog Has Its Day
Air Date: 2011-11-25
The Iditarod dog sled race brings big business to Era Alaska. Ferno, Ayla and Ariel Tweto run with the reindeer in Anchorage. A pilot battles malfunctioning trim control over the frozen Norton Sound and a tsunami warning threatens the entire West coast.
6. Blizzard BBQ
Air Date: 2011-12-02
A late winter storm threatens to shut down Era Alaska's operations. Ben encounters dangerous icing conditions on his way to St. Michael. Lead pilot, Erik, resorts to drastic measures to get desperately needed medicine to a snowed in village.
7. Guts and Glory
Air Date: 2011-12-09
A group of world-renowned rock climbers arrive in Unalakleet and Jim must fly them deep into the remote Brooks Range.
8. Top of the World
Air Date: 2011-12-16
Jim searches for a group of missing mountain climbers lost somewhere in Alaska's Brooks Range.
9. Breakup
Air Date: 2011-12-23
Era Alaska provides aid to a village devastated by heavy flooding. Two pilots get lost in a sea of fog off the Russian coast while trying to deliver desperately needed ammunition. In Anchorage, Jim's prized Cessna 180 goes up in smoke.
10. Cakes on a Plane
Air Date: 2011-12-30
Ponts' old skate crew arrives to build a skate park for local kids on Unk's newly paved roads. Ariel takes to the skies in a new plane with dangerous results and lead Pilot Erik Snuggerud battles heavy turbulence with a very special delivery.
11. Prop, Drop & Ball
Air Date: 2012-01-06
Two pilots carry propane to a secluded fishing lodge; Luke wrestles with failing equipment over the tundra; Ponts challenges Ariel to execute a perfect landing.
12. New Wings Over Alaska
Air Date: 2012-01-13
Ariel looks for seagull eggs; Erik has a rough flight over a notorious runaway; Sarah takes her first flight in a 208.
13. One Flying Family
Air Date: 2012-01-20
Era Alaska ferries fire crews to combat wildfires across the state; Ariel flies solo for the first time; Ponts navigates a deadly pass on his first training flight.
1. Running Out of Time
Air Date: 2012-06-08
Era digs deep to survive a brutal winter. Ariel joins in on a desperate search for her missing friend. Sarah Fraher attempts a difficult landing to aid a pilot stranded mid-runway. Ponts attempts an emergency medical drop over the isolated Kavik camp.
2. Solar Flare Danger
Air Date: 2012-06-15
Villagers in Wainright lose their water supply due to the Arctic cold. Solar flares leave Ponts and Ben in harm's way. In Unalakleet, a criminal is on the loose and the Tweto's are on edge.
3. Zero Cabin Pressure
Air Date: 2012-06-22
Alaska's harshest winter in years wreaks havoc on Era's fleet. Sarah Fraher's aircraft door opens mid-flight. Doug's brakes freeze on an icy runway while carrying explosive chemicals. Jim attempts a risky landing atop the frozen Anvik River.
4. Return to Diomede
Air Date: 2012-06-29
The epic Iditarod dog sled race begins in Anchorage. Pilot Doug Stewart tests his limits while landing on a runway that is melting into the ocean. Pilot John Kapsner races to locate two snow-machiners that are lost overnight deep in the Alaskan Bush.
5. Money Pit
Air Date: 2012-07-06
In Bethel, pilot Erik Snuggerud is plagued by mechanical issues. On Alaska's North Slope, pilots Doug Stewart and John Rende battle to keep their plane from careening off an icy runway. In Unalakleet, Ariel receives a surprise visitor.
6. Radio Silence
Air Date: 2012-07-13
In the skies above western Alaska, Ariel disappears from radio contact, putting emergency services on high alert. Over the remote village of Hooper Bay, pilot Erik Snuggerud battles to touch down on a dangerously narrow runway.
7. Into the Wind
Air Date: 2012-07-20
Jim makes an impossible landing in Unk. Pilot Sarah Fraher battles strong headwinds while attempting to deliver 2,000 pounds of fuel to the research station. Pilot Ben Pederson braves 50 mph winds to retrieve an elusive priest for Easter service.
8. End of an Era
Air Date: 2012-07-27
In the series finale, after 30 years of running Era Alaska, Jim Tweto sets his eye on a new path. Doug loses all avionics while flying over the North Slope. Ariel comes face to face with the FAA in the last step of getting her pilot's license.
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Rating
7.0/10
Release Date
2011-01-14
Episodes
31 (3 seasons)
Status
Ended
Cast
Videos
Production Companies
3 Ball Productions