Transport Canada suspended Buffalo’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) due to safety record concerns. To get the airline back in the air, Joe had to sign a letter agreeing to step away from management .
After years of legal battles, court hearings, and failed mediations, the case was eventually settled out of court in late 2020 or early 2021 (the exact terms remain confidential, as is typical in such family disputes). However, the outcome is clear to anyone watching.
Joe McBryan, best known to fans worldwide as "Buffalo Joe," the charismatic founder and face of Buffalo Airways, passed away on August 18, 2024, at the age of 84.
This is the most common follow-up question. As of 2024 and into 2025, .
The lawsuit was a 40-page document that ripped the mask off the legend. It alleged that Joe had been secretly siphoning millions of dollars from Buffalo Airways to fuel a secret second life. The allegations included: what happened to joe mcbryan
The airline continues to sell "Buffalo Airways" merchandise globally, a legacy of the show's massive international success. Recent Challenges
. Despite persistent internet death rumors, the 83-year-old aviation pioneer—immortalized as "Buffalo Joe" on the hit reality television series Ice Pilots NWT —remains an active force in northern Canadian aviation. While he has adapted his role due to regulatory transitions, he continues to fly vintage aircraft, expand the family business, and train the next generation of sub-Arctic bush pilots.
Yes, as of 2025, Joe McBryan is alive and active in aviation. He was recently recognized as a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, which confirms he is alive and being honored for his contributions.
This is where public opinion divides sharply. However, the outcome is clear to anyone watching
The airline's Air Operator Certificate was suspended in late 2015 due to a "poor safety record," "recurring accidents," and a lack of compliance with safety regulations.
Today, is the face and operational head of Buffalo Airways. He runs the day-to-day operations, manages the fleet, and has taken the airline in a more modern direction—including a major pivot into firefighting and cargo services. Julie McBryan remains involved in the administrative side.
The success of the airline led to a television producer taking an interest, and Ice Pilots NWT was born. The show, which ran for 73 episodes, was a worldwide hit, turning Joe, his son Mikey, and the entire McBryan clan into celebrities. The series didn't just showcase the stunning scenery of Canada's North; it highlighted the immense challenges and dangers of flying antique aircraft in sub-zero temperatures, with "Buffalo Joe" often portrayed as the shrewd, no-nonsense leader at the helm.
in Arizona in late 2025 to maintain his flight certifications. : In 2019, he was inducted into the Order of the Northwest Territories to honor his decades of service to Northern aviation. Future Initiatives Wildfire Training As of 2024 and into 2025,
Joe McBryan founded Buffalo Airways in 1970. Starting with a single aircraft, he built a massive operation known for operating legendary DC-3s, C-46s, and Electras in the harshest conditions on Earth. His reputation was built on his ability to fly where others wouldn't, his dedication to the Canadian North, and his uncompromising, sometimes gruff leadership style, which was immortalized on Ice Pilots NWT . Health Struggles and Retirement Concerns
Led largely by his son, Mikey McBryan, the company has stayed relevant through the "Plane Savers" YouTube series, which documented the restoration of a WWII-era C-47. Overcoming Regulatory Challenges
(which includes many Ice Pilots fans and some former employees) argues it was a cold-hearted betrayal. They point out that Joe built Buffalo Airways from nothing. They argue that the "mental decline" was exaggerated, that Joe was simply old-school and abrasive, and that his children were impatient to cash in. They note that Mikey had chafed under his father’s authority for years on the TV show, and that this was a long-planned power grab.
Since stepping back from the airline's daily management, McBryan has not retired to a quiet life. Instead, he has channeled his energy into his long-standing passion: . He is actively working to train the next generation of northern pilots to fight wildfires. His company has acquired a two-seat training version of the Air Tractor AT-802 (Fire Boss) and a sophisticated flight simulator.