Joe McBryan , better known as "," is still alive and remains a foundational figure at Buffalo Airways as of early 2026 .
Joe McBryan , the legendary founder of Buffalo Airways and star of Ice Pilots NWT
Joe McBryan has transitioned into his senior years and is no longer piloting commercial routes or managing daily scheduling, but his presence at the Yellowknife hangar remains undeniable.
His son, Mikey McBryan , has taken on the role of General Manager and serves as the primary face of the company’s operations and media presence (including the Plane Savers series). What Happened with Transport Canada? what happened to joe mcbryan
He continues to spend time on the docks in Yellowknife, acting as the spiritual, if not officially the sole operational, head of the company.
While Joe was in the public eye, his general manager, Mark Owens , was systematically stealing from Polar Enterprises. Owens wrote fake checks to himself, forged Joe’s signature, and embezzled over $366,000 . Joe was oblivious because he was often away filming Ice Road Truckers .
The most significant shift in Joe’s career occurred during a highly publicized showdown with Canada's aviation regulator, Transport Canada. Joe McBryan , better known as "," is
: Following a suspension of Buffalo Airways' operating certificate in 2015 due to safety concerns, Joe officially agreed to step down from day-to-day management of the airline.
The suspension was lifted in January 2016 after Buffalo implemented corrective actions. Joe remained a pilot, even as he surrendered his executive management duties.
Here is where the fear escalated. Joe was placed on a ventilator. For several weeks, his condition was listed as "critical but stable." Outside the hospital, the silence was deafening. Buffalo Airways’ social media went quiet, and Ice Pilots fans began sharing unverified updates across Facebook groups. What Happened with Transport Canada
His story is a testament to the tough, independent spirit of the North. Buffalo Joe McBryan may have passed the operational torch to his sons, but his legacy as a Canadian icon remains. The roar of his vintage DC-3 engines may no longer be broadcast into living rooms every week, but it continues to echo across the skies of the Northwest Territories, a fitting tribute to one of the world's most unforgettable bush pilots.
For a wide global audience, Joe McBryan is instantly recognizable as the gruff, no-nonsense star of the History Channel's hit reality series Running for six seasons from 2009 to 2014, the show offered a raw, unflinching look at the daily struggles and triumphs of his family-run airline.
As a pilot in his 70s, McBryan undergoes rigorous medical testing, including evaluations at the Mayo Clinic , to maintain his flying license. Legacy and Current Status Buffalo Joe Could Lose His Pilots Licence
: Although the show ended its six-season run in 2014, Joe’s reputation as a hard-nosed, dedicated aviator persists. He is often seen in Mikey McBryan's popular YouTube docuseries, Plane Savers , which documents the restoration of historic aircraft. Commitment to the North
This was the pivotal moment. Without Mikey’s modern management, Buffalo Airways began to hemorrhage cash and compliance.