What Happened — To Joe Mcbryan

The reality show Ice Pilots NWT (2009–2014) turned him into an international star. Viewers watched Joe swear at mechanics, fire employees one minute and rehire them the next, and land massive planes on icy runways. He was the charismatic, stubborn patriarch of a unique family business. His children—Mikey, Julie, and Rod—all worked in the operation. For years, it seemed the McBryan legacy was secure.

Though the hit reality series Ice Pilots NWT ended its run in 2014 after six seasons, Joe remains a cult icon in the aviation world. The show documented his "old school" management style, his legendary grumpiness, and his unparalleled skill as a pilot.

His nickname, "Buffalo Joe," is a direct link to his origins in firefighting. He earned it when his company was contracted to protect a herd of buffalo from wildfires in the North. McBryan himself explains, "That's why I got the name Buffalo Joe, because we were protecting buffalo from fires."

To help me give you more specific details, are you interested in: The Buffalo Airways is flying? Joe's son Mikey's latest projects? How to visit the hangar in Yellowknife? Share public link what happened to joe mcbryan

: While he remains the "President," McBryan stepped away from day-to-day management duties following intense pressure from Transport Canada during the airline's grounding in late 2015 and subsequent regulatory reviews. This "extreme step" was necessary to satisfy safety record requirements and allow the airline to maintain its Air Operator Certificate.

: His son, Mikey McBryan , took on a more prominent role as General Manager, handling much of the public-facing and logistical side of the business. Recent Career & Flying

: Joe continues to show up to the hangar regularly, offering his unmatched mechanical and historical expertise on vintage aircraft. The reality show Ice Pilots NWT (2009–2014) turned

So, what is the real Joe McBryan doing today? In short, he’s still flying high, but his role has evolved. The curtain may have closed on the television show, but the story of Buffalo Airways is still being written.

While the family war raged in court, the regulator acted. In 2022, Transport Canada—the federal aviation authority—launched an intensive audit of Buffalo Airways. The findings were brutal.

Like all Northern operators, Joe has had to navigate significant hurdles in the last few years: His children—Mikey, Julie, and Rod—all worked in the

While Joe himself avoided major accidents, his company did not. In 2013, a Buffalo Airways C-46 cargo plane crashed just after takeoff in Gjoa Haven. The NTSB investigation didn't just blame pilot error; they tore into Buffalo's maintenance culture. They found a pattern of "improper repairs" and "inadequate record-keeping." Joe, in true form, blamed government overreach.

But the cracks were showing. The fleet was aging. Joe was aging. And the money was running out.

One major storyline of "Ice Pilots NWT" involved Joe McBryan's often-contentious relationship with Transport Canada (TC), the country's aviation regulator. This conflict came to a head in 2015, when TC suspended Buffalo Airways' operating certificate due to concerns over its "poor safety record" and administrative practices.

Joe McBryan , better known as "," remains the legendary owner and president of Buffalo Airways , though his role has shifted in recent years as the aviation industry and his family business have evolved. Continued Leadership at Buffalo Airways