Air International 2006-10
B.Hales-Dutton - Buffalo Airways /Commercial/
This is one of the Curtiss C-46 Commandos that saw service with Buffalo Airways. The company retains two of the type, C-FAVO and C-GTXW, in its fleet.
This DC-3 is one of ten operated by Buffalo Airways, used to carry passengers and cargo. It wears a non-standard company livery. Some of the more recently-acquired Dakotas were painted in this scheme, though it is not planned to apply it across the whole fleet. The engine cowling has been removed as the aircraft had just emerged following maintenance and was about to undergo an engine test.
Buffalo Airways’ fleet includes nine Douglas C-54s (DC-4s), four of which are currently in service. The operator is a lifeline to many communities in remote locations in Canada's Northwest Territories. This C-54 has a belly tank signifying that it can be used as a fire-bomber. The aircraft, C-FIQM, is pictured against a beautiful backdrop at Norman Wells.
A Buffalo Airways C-54 demonstrates its fire-fighting capabilities, dropping water from its belly tank.
Buffalo Airways' fleet of light twins, such as this Beech Travel Air 95, C-GIWJ, are used for maintaining pilot hours, general liaison duties and supporting fire-fighting operations by ferrying personnel and equipment. Behind is one of the company's C-54s.
Five PBY-5 Cansos were used for fire-fighting duties, though four have since been sold. This example, C-FUAW, is the last one still with the company though it is in store pending sale to a new owner.
As well as transporting people and cargo, Buffalo Airways is heavily involved with fire-fighting and has six Bombardier CL-215 water bombers. These are supplemented in this role by two Douglas C-54s.
This Noorduyn Norseman, C-FSAN, is used exclusively by the president and founder of Buffalo Airways, Joe McBryan.