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Narrator: IT'S AVIATION'S FINAL FRONTIER.
Man: WOO HOO! HA HA HA HA!
Narrator: COWBOY PILOTS WHO DELIVER SMALL USED AIRCRAFT...
Man: WE COULDN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP, MAN.
Narrator: ...ACROSS DISTANCES THEY WERE NEVER MEANT TO FLY.
Man: WHOA!
Man: THIS IS THE MOST EXTREME TYPE OF FLYING YOU CAN DO.
Computer voice: CABIN. [BEEPING]
Man: SLOW DOWN.
Narrator: THE PLANES CAN BE TOO MUCH TO HANDLE...
Man: IT'S LIKE A CAVEMAN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE CONCORDE.
Narrator: THE PILOTS TOO EXHAUSTED TO FLY AT NIGHT.
Man: ALL YOU CAN SEE IS BLACK.
THERE'S NO HORIZON, THERE'S NOTHING.
Man: THERE'S A LOT OF PILOTS THAT HAVE DIED
JUST BECAUSE OF THAT.
Narrator: BUT AS LONG AS THERE'S MONEY AND FUEL TO BURN...
Man: ARE WE GOING TO LIVE TODAY? Man: I THINK SO.
Narrator: THEY'LL LIVE TO FLY ANOTHER DAY.
ON THE LAST LEG OF AN 11,000-MILE MARATHON,
TWO FERRY PILOTS RACE TO THE FINISH LINE
IN A STATE-OF-THE-ART PHENOM JET.
Marcio: I SEE VEGAS. YOU SEE THE AIRPORT RIGHT THERE?
Kerry: I HAVE THE AIRPORT.
Marcio: SLOW DOWN, SLOW DOWN, SLOW DOWN.
Narrator: MARCIO LUCCHESE HAS FLOWN PLENTY OF THESE BABIES,
BUT THIS IS THE FIRST JET FLIGHT FOR KERRY McCAULEY,
AND HE'LL BE LANDING IT IN FRONT OF THE NEW OWNER.
Marcio: LAND THERE.
Computer voice: AUTOPILOT.
Marcio: START PUTTING YOUR FLAPS, START SLOWING DOWN.
Narrator: IF YOU'RE SHELLING OUT 3.5 MILLION BUCKS
ON AN EXECUTIVE JET,
YOU WANT IT HANDLED WITH KID GLOVES.
Kerry: FIGURING FULL FLAPS, NO WARNING LIGHTS.
Computer voice: SINK RATE, PULL UP.
Marcio: PULL UP A LITTLE BIT. Computer voice: SINK RATE.
Marcio: THERE YOU GO. JUST A LITTLE.
BEAUTIFUL, A LITTLE BIT OF POWER NOW.
DON'T DIVE NOW. JUST KEEP IT NOSE UP, NOSE UP.
NOSE UP.
PERFECT, MY FRIEND, PERFECT.
THAT'S MY BOY.
AND START BRAKING, MORE BRAKING, MORE BRAKING.
Kerry: YEP YEP YEP.
WHOO!
Man: HEY, BIG GUY!
Marcio: HERE IT IS, HERE IT IS.
Man: YOU MADE IT.
Marcio: CONGRATULATIONS WITH THE NEW AIRPLANE.
IT WAS A PLEASURE.
Man: YOU GUYS DID A GREAT JOB.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CREW. THANKS A LOT.
Narrator: IF ANYONE DESERVES TO CELEBRATE RIGHT NOW,
IT'S KERRY.
Kerry: THAT TASTES GOOD AFTER A LONG FLIGHT.
Man: YEAH, YEAH.
Narrator: THIS TRIP,
FLYING HALFWAY AROUND THE GLOBE FROM AUSTRALIA TO AMERICA,
WAS HIS TRIAL BY FIRE.
Computer voice: CABIN, CABIN, CABIN, CABIN...
Narrator: LEARNING TO TAKE ORDERS FROM A COMPUTER...
Kerry: WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?
Computer voice: STALL, STALL.
[BLEEP]
Narrator: AND TRYING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER
WHEN EVERYTHING'S FALLING APART.
Marcio: KERRY DID REALLY WELL.
I WAS NOT EXPECTING FOR HIM TO PICK IT UP AS QUICK AS HE DID.
YEAH, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING IT AGAIN.
Kerry: YEAH, THEY SAY YOU CAN'T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS,
BUT YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD PILOT HOW TO FLY A JET, APPARENTLY.
Narrator: KERRY MIGHT HAVE PLANS TO COOL HIS HEELS IN VEGAS,
BUT HE WON'T GET THE CHANCE.
Cory: YEAH, IT SEEMS TO BE A NICE PLANE.
I HAVEN'T SEEN IT MYSELF,
BUT THE BROKER TOLD ME IT'S NICE.
Narrator: BACK AT HEAD OFFICE,
BOSS CORY BENGTZEN JUST LANDED A BIG CONTRACT
TO DELIVER A PLANE TO ARGENTINA,
AND HE WANTS KERRY ON IT RIGHT AWAY.
Kerry: THIS IS KERRY.
Cory: HEY, KERRY, IT'S CORY BENGTZEN, CB AVIATION.
HOW ARE YOU?
I'VE GOT A TRIP THAT JUST CAME UP EXTREMELY QUICKLY.
I NEED YOU TO CAPTAIN A NAVAJO DOWN TO ARGENTINA.
Kerry: YEAH, SURE, NO PROBLEM.
Cory: THERE WAS ANOTHER FERRY COMPANY
THAT WAS DOING THE FLIGHT, AND THEY QUIT HALFWAY THROUGH,
SO THE CLIENT CALLED ME IN A PANIC
AND IS BEGGING FOR US TO DO IT.
Narrator: THIS IS A CHANCE FOR CORY TO GROW HIS NEW BUSINESS
AND TO SUCCEED WHERE OTHERS HAVE FAILED.
Cory: I HAD NO IDEA HOW I WAS GOING TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER,
BUT IN THIS BUSINESS YOU GOT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
Kerry: THE RUSH IS ON.
Cory: BEST-CASE SCENARIO FOR ME IS I DON'T HEAR FROM HIM.
THE PLANE TAKES OFF,
THEY HANDLE ANY ISSUES THAT COMES UP,
AND I GET A PHONE CALL
THAT THE AIRPLANE IS DELIVERED IN ARGENTINA.
Narrator: THE PLANE IS A '79 PIPER NAVAJO CHIEFTAIN,
A STRETCH-LIMO VERSION OF THE REGULAR NAVAJO,
WITH SOUPED-UP ENGINES.
KERRY'S BACK IN HIS ELEMENT
WITH THE KIND OF PLANE HE'S FLOWN FOR 20 YEARS.
Kerry: YOU CHECKED THE OIL? OIL CAPS ARE ALL SECURE.
Man: 11 IN THE RIGHT, AND THEN 10.5 IN THE LEFT.
Narrator: HIS COPILOT ON CORY'S RUSH JOB IS STU SPRUNG,
A GUY HE'S FLOWN WITH ONCE BEFORE.
Stu: THIS OPPORTUNITY CAME UP VERY LAST SECOND,
BUT I WAS ABLE TO FREE MYSELF UP
AND GET HERE IN A DAY'S NOTICE, ESSENTIALLY.
Narrator: STU'S A FAR LESS EXPERIENCED PILOT,
WITH A FRACTION OF THE FLYING TIME
KERRY'S GOT UNDER HIS BELT.
Kerry: JUST ABOUT ALL SET? Stu: YEP.
Narrator: SO ON THIS FLIGHT,
THERE'S NO QUESTION WHO'S IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.
Kerry: I'VE BEEN CHOSEN TO BE CAPTAIN,
OR HOWEVER YOU WANT TO PUT THAT.
SO, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GONNA BE WORKING AS A TEAM ON THIS.
ALL THE DECISIONS WILL BE BASICALLY MUTUAL,
BUT IF PUSH COMES TO SHOVE
AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE A DECISION,
I GUESS THAT WILL KIND OF FALL TO ME.
Stu: RIGHT.
Kerry: LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!
WE GOT GAS ON THE MAIN,
WE GOT UNDERCARRIAGE, WE GOT MIXTURE,
WE GOT PROPS. DO YOU WANT TO TAKE OFF?
Stu: SURE.
Narrator: RIGHT AWAY,
KERRY GIVES STU THE CHANCE TO SHOW HIS STUFF.
Kerry: I WILL GET THE GEAR.
Stu: A LITTLE HEAVY.
Kerry: KEEP YOUR NOSE DOWN. GEAR COMING UP.
[BEEPING]
NOSE DOWN! NOSE DOWN! NOSE DOWN! NOSE DOWN!
OK, YOU GOT IT? YOU HAVE THE CONTROLS.
Narrator: THEY'LL HEAD FIRST TO THE ISLANDS OF TURKS AND CAICOS,
THEN FLY ANOTHER 5,000 MILES SOUTH,
ALL THE WAY DOWN TO ARGENTINA.
Kerry: ROGER SOUNDS SO MUCH MORE SEXY DOWN SOUTH.
Narrator: BUT AS THEY APPROACH TURKS AND CAICOS,
KERRY SPOTS TROUBLE.
Kerry: BOY, THAT GAUGE IS KIND OF PEGGED.
Stu: YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT. IT'S NOT VIBRATING.
Kerry: I DO NOT LIKE THAT.
Stu: NO, WE'RE NOT AT AN EXTREME POWER SETTING AT ALL.
Narrator: THE OIL TEMPERATURE GAUGE
SHOWS THE RIGHT ENGINE IS RUNNING HOT.
Kerry: THE RIGHT ENGINE ALWAYS DOES BURN A LITTLE HOTTER.
Stu: THE CYLINDER HEAD IS NORMAL AND THE OIL TEMP IS SUPER HOT.
IT'S JUST NOT MAKING ANY SENSE.
Kerry: STILL MAKES ME NERVOUS.
I DON'T LIKE A NEEDLE TOUCHING THE RED LINE.
IF IT'S NOT THAT GAUGE, WE COULD COOK THIS ENGINE IN A HEARTBEAT.
Narrator: IF THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING,
IT COULD SET THE WHOLE PLANE ON FIRE.
Kerry: I WANT TO GET THIS THING ON THE GROUND.
I DON'T WANT TO SCREW AROUND.
THAT GAUGE IS MAKING ME REALLY NERVOUS.
Narrator: IN FLORIDA, TWO OF CORY'S OTHER HIRED GUNS
ARE HEADING OUT ON A NEW MISSION.
Pete: IT'S AN OLD BEAST. Brad: IT'S AN OLD P.O.S.
Narrator: CORY'S PUTTING THEM IN AN OLD ***
AND ASKING THEM TO FLY HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD.
Pete: HOW ABOUT THESE BLADES?
THIS ONE'S A LITTLE CHUNKY.
Narrator: CAPTAIN PETE ZACCAGNINO IS A TEST PILOT...
A GUY WHO LIVES TO FLY.
Pete: I LOVE DESIGNING AIRPLANES,
I LOVE FLIGHT TESTING AIRPLANES,
I LOVE FLYING AIRPLANES,
I LOVE WORKING ON AIRPLANES.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S A BETTER CAREER IN THE WORLD.
Narrator: THIS IS ONE JOB THAT MIGHT CHANGE HIS MIND.
Pete: THE DE-ICE BOOTS ARE PRETTY CHAPPED UP HERE.
LOOK AT THIS STUFF. IT'S OLD.
Brad: WELCOME TO THE '70s, BABY. CHECK IT OUT.
Pete: OH, HO, HO! DADDY!
YOU WERE NOT EXAGGERATING.
FROM HERE I CAN SEE THOSE AVIONICS.
CACHUNK! CACHUNK! PSHOO!
Brad: PROBABLY HALF THE LEDs ARE BURNT OUT ON IT. WHO KNOWS?
Narrator: THIS 32-YEAR-OLD PIPER CHEYENNE
HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE HANGAR FOR MANY MONTHS.
PETE'S COUNTING ON HIS BUDDY BRAD WHITE
TO HELP HIM OUT ON WHAT WILL BE A LONG, TOUGH FLIGHT.
Brad: WE GOT AN OLD JUNKER AIRPLANE.
WE'RE CROSSING A HUGE AMOUNT OF DISTANCE
IN A PLANE THAT HASN'T BEEN FLOWN FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS,
AND WE'RE GONNA BE GOING THROUGH SOME TOTALLY HAIRY WEATHER.
Narrator: THEY HAVE TO FLY THE OLD BIRD
FROM FLORIDA TO THE PHILIPPINES,
CROSSING THE WILDS OF ALASKA AND NORTHERN RUSSIA,
BEFORE MAKING A FINAL PUSH OVER OPEN OCEAN TO MANILA.
NO WAY ARE THESE GUYS STARTING THEIR TRIP
WITHOUT A SERIOUS TEST FLIGHT.
Brad: ALRIGHT, YOU'RE READY? Pete: I'M READY.
I WANT TO FIND PROBLEMS DURING THE TEST FLIGHT.
THAT WAY I CAN GET 'EM FIXED HERE,
GOOD MAINTENANCE SHOP.
I JUST DON'T WANT THE PROBLEMS TO HAPPEN
IN THE MOST REMOTE PLACE ON THE PLANET.
OK, EVERYTHING IS GREEN.
ENGINES LOOK GOOD, FUEL FLOW IS NORMAL.
WHEN I SHOW UP TO A NEW PLANE I HAVEN'T MET BEFORE,
IT'S ME BONDING WITH THE AIRPLANE.
IT'S THAT AIRPLANE PROVING THAT IT'S NOT GONNA KILL ME.
Brad: THERE'S 1,200.
ROTATE?
Pete: YEP.
[BLEEP]
Narrator: TRIM CONTROLS SMALL FLAPS ON THE TAIL
THAT ARE CRUCIAL FOR CLIMBING AND DESCENDING.
AND THIS TRIM IS BARELY WORKING.
Pete: TRY AGAIN YOURS, TRIM NOW.
Brad: YEAH, IT'S SLUGGISH.
Pete: YEAH, THAT COULD BE A SHOWSTOPPER
IF WE DID LOSE TRIM CONTROLLABILITY...
Brad: THAT WOULD TOTALLY SUCK. Pete: YEAH.
Narrator: A PLANE'S TRIM CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.
Pete: IF THE TRIM TAB FAILS,
THAT'S A SERIOUS, SERIOUS SITUATION.
AIRCRAFT COULD END UP NOSE-UP VERTICAL,
NOSE-DOWN VERTICAL,
OR UPSIDE DOWN.
ALL VERY HAZARDOUS SCENARIOS.
Narrator: PETE AND BRAD CUT THEIR TEST FLIGHT SHORT.
Brad: I'LL JUST START DOWN. I'LL JUST DO IT.
Narrator: AS THE CHEYENNE COMES IN FOR A LANDING,
THE TRIM DECIDES TO BEHAVE.
Pete: THREE GREENS, NO RED. FULL FLAPS. WE'RE CLEAR TO LAND.
Brad: ALRIGHTY.
Narrator: BUT NOT MANY AVIATORS GROW OLD
FLYING UNRELIABLE EQUIPMENT.
Brad: WELL, WE'VE GOT A MAJOR TRIM PROBLEM.
Pete: YEAH.
Narrator: SO UNTIL THE PROBLEM'S FIXED,
THIS OLD BIRD IS GROUNDED.
NEARLY 9,000 FEET OVER TURKS AND CAICOS...
THE OIL GAUGE IS TELLING KERRY AND STU
THEY HAVE AN OVERHEATING ENGINE.
SO THEY'RE TRYING TO LAND THE NAVAJO AS SOON AS THEY CAN.
Stu: SEAT BELTS, FUEL PUMPS.
Kerry: GEAR COMING DOWN.
[BLEEP]
Kerry: AW, MAN. YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!
Narrator: THEY'RE ON FINAL APPROACH,
BUT KERRY'S NOT SEEING THE THREE GREEN LIGHTS
THAT INDICATE THE LANDING GEAR IS DOWN AND LOCKED IN POSITION.
Kerry: COME ON, GIVE ME A GREEN.
WE ONLY HAVE TWO LIGHTS.
AH, SON OF A [BEEP]!
DANG IT! DANG IT! DANG IT! ALRIGHT.
Narrator: NOW THEY'RE IN DOUBLE TROUBLE.
Stu: CYCLE IT AGAIN. Kerry: YEAH, HANG ON.
Narrator: BY JOGGING THE WHEELS UP AND DOWN,
THEY'RE HOPING THE GEAR WILL SNAP AND LOCK INTO PLACE.
[RADIO CHATTER]
Kerry: COME ON, BABY. PAPA NEEDS THREE GREEN.
ONE, TWO...NEGATIVE.
ALRIGHT, WE GOT IT. YOU HAD IT TWISTED.
Narrator: LOOKS LIKE IT WAS JUST A LOOSE DIMMER SWITCH.
Kerry: AH, HA HA HA!
Kerry: WE ARE CLEAR TO LAND.
Narrator: ONE PROBLEM SOLVED.
NOW THEY JUST HAVE TO GET THE NAVAJO SAFELY ON THE GROUND.
Kerry: THERE.
WELL, I AM REALLY HAPPY
THAT WE HAVE THREE ACTUAL WHEELS BENEATH US.
CRASHING IS NOT GOOD.
WHOO!
ALRIGHT, LEG ONE IN THE CAN.
Narrator: WHILE THE PLANE'S BEING REFUELED,
THEY INVESTIGATE.
Kerry: LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT ENGINE.
Stu: YEAH.
I'LL RECORD WHAT THESE GUYS GET ON THE FUEL, TOO.
Kerry: WE'RE GONNA SEE HOW MUCH OIL WE GOT IN THIS GIRL...
SEE IF THAT WAS POSSIBLY THE PROBLEM.
Narrator: IF THE OIL'S LOW,
IT WOULD MEAN THE ENGINE REALLY WAS OVERHEATING.
Kerry: WELL, I'M KIND OF LIKING WHAT I'M SEEING.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE'VE GOT ABOUT 10 QUARTS.
I DON'T KNOW... WE CAN PUT A COUPLE IN.
BUT SHE'S REALLY NOT BURNING ANY OIL.
I DON'T SEE ANY OBVIOUS SIGNS OF OVERHEATING ON THE ENGINE.
THE COWLING ISN'T DISCOLORED FROM OVERHEATING.
Stu: THE WORST CASE IS THAT THERE'S A BAD SENSOR,
AND WE CAN'T SEE WHAT THE OIL TEMPERATURE IS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S A JUDGMENT CALL FROM HERE.
Kerry: AS NEAR AS I CAN TELL, WE'RE STILL GOOD TO GO.
Narrator: THEY'RE FEELING OPTIMISTIC,
UNTIL THEY REALIZE HOW MUCH FUEL THEY USED UP ON THIS FIRST LEG.
Kerry: ONE, TWO, THREE...
FOUR HUNDRED.
ONE, TWO, THREE... THERE'S FIVE HUNDRED.
YOU CAN KEEP THE REST.
I'M NOT LIKING THE FUEL BURN.
THAT BURNED A LOT MORE GAS THAN I THOUGHT WE WERE GONNA.
IT WAS JUST OVER THREE HOURS HERE,
AND WE ONLY HAVE 40 GALLONS LEFT,
AND WE WERE NOT RUNNING SUPER HARD.
Narrator: THEY PUSH ON FROM TURKS AND CAICOS
TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
AND ON TO ARUBA.
THERE, KERRY DOES SOME NEW FUEL-RANGE CALCULATIONS...
Kerry: WE'VE GOT TO DO A LITTLE CHECKING.
Narrator: AND STU CALLS CORY TO KEEP HIM IN THE LOOP.
Stu: OUR FUEL BURN, EVEN AT MOST LEAN,
IS WAY OFF ON THIS THING,
SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR LEGS AGAIN
BECAUSE OUR RANGE IS SHORTER,
SO IT'S NOT EXACTLY THE PERFORMER
THAT WE WERE HOPING IT WOULD BE.
Narrator: NOW THEIR TRIP WILL TAKE LONGER,
SO KERRY'S KEEN TO KEEP MOVING TODAY.
Kerry: I'D LIKE TO FILE OUR FLIGHT PLAN TO TRINIDAD.
Woman: WHEN YOU WANT TO LEAVE?
Kerry: WE'RE LEAVING SOON. RIGHT NOW.
Woman: RIGHT NOW. RIGHT AWAY.
TRINIDAD IS CLOSED.
Kerry: WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S CLOSED?
Woman: IT'S AN OFFICIAL HOLIDAY, SO YOU CAN'T LEAVE TODAY.
Kerry: THAT'S CRAZY. UH...ALRIGHT, WELL...
FRUSTRATION LEVEL'S RUNNING REALLY HIGH.
AS A FERRY PILOT,
I LOVE TO PUT A LOT OF MILES BEHIND ME EVERY DAY.
I JUST...YOU KNOW, 1,500, 2,000 MILES A DAY--
THAT'S KIND OF STANDARD.
Narrator: THEY'VE FLOWN LESS THAN HALF OF THAT,
AND WITH NOWHERE TO GO, THE DAY IS SUDDENLY OVER.
BACK UP IN FLORIDA,
PETE AND BRAD ARE EVEN WORSE OFF--
STUCK AT ZERO ALTITUDE AND ZERO SPEED,
WITH A TRIM CONTROL THEY DON'T TRUST.
Pete: I'M EAGER TO HEAR IF WE NEED PARTS FOR THE PLANE.
Brad: YEP.
Narrator: THEY'RE STUCK WITH THIS PIPER CHEYENNE,
AN OLD BIRD IN DESPERATE NEED OF A GOOD MECHANIC.
Gabe: I DO NOT SEE ANYTHING BINDING OR SLIPPING
IN THE ACTUAL MECHANICAL CONTROL WHEEL.
Brad: YOU DON'T SEE THAT PLAY
WHERE YOU GOT TO ROLL IT AN INCH OR TWO BEFORE IT STARTS...
Gabe: YEAH, BUT THAT'S NORMAL ON SOME AIRPLANES,
ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE THAT ELECTRIC TRIM.
Brad: YEAH, I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE. HAVE YOU?
IT'S NOT VERY COMMON.
I'VE FLOWN A LOT OF DIFFERENT AIRPLANES,
AND I'VE NEVER SEEN A LOOSE ONE LIKE THAT.
Gabe: I THINK THAT'S NORMAL
FOR YOU TO HAVE A LITTLE PLAY IN YOUR TRIM WHEEL.
IF THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL SAYS IT'S GOOD,
YOU'RE AIRWORTHY.
Narrator: GABE THE MECHANIC THINKS THE TRIM IS WORKING FINE,
BUT HE'S NOT THE ONE WHO'LL BE FLYING THE PLANE
23,000 FEET UP IN THE AIR.
Pete: MECHANICS HAVE KILLED
PLENTY OF AIRCRAFT AND THEIR CREW AND PASSENGERS
BECAUSE THEY'VE MADE MISTAKES.
MECHANICS ARE HUMANS AND THEY MAKE ERRORS,
JUST LIKE PILOTS.
THERE'S SOME OLD [BLEEP] GOIN' ON IN HERE.
I JUST WANTED TO GET A LOOK AT THIS SYSTEM.
Brad: IT'S OLD, IT'S BEAT UP, AND, UM...
WHO KNOWS WHAT'S GOING TO SURFACE TODAY, TOMORROW,
HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD?
Narrator: LIKE IT OR NOT,
THEIR DEPARTURE IS SET FOR 6 A.M. TOMORROW.
Pete: YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING WITH THIS PLANE
IS GETTING IT TO THE PHILIPPINES.
YEAH. I APPRECIATE THE HELP.
Narrator: BUT AS SOON AS THEY SETTLE IN
TO CATCH UP ON SOME CALLS,
THEY GET AN URGENT MESSAGE FROM GABE THE MECHANIC.
Brad: I SEE 'EM.
I SEE WHAT I THINK I SEE.
Pete: I SEE TWO PUDDLES OF LIQUID
THAT IS CERTAINLY NOT HYDRAULIC.
THAT IS ABSOLUTELY JET A.
GABE, TALK TO US.
Gabe: HEY, HOW YOU DOING?
Pete: THIS DOESN'T LOOK GOOD, BUDDY.
Gabe: NO. NO, IT'S NOT GOOD AT ALL, ACTUALLY.
TO BE HONEST, THE ISSUE WE'RE HAVING NOW IS
WE'VE TOPPED OFF YOUR LEFT AND RIGHT FUEL TANKS.
TIPS AS WELL AS THE NACELLE TANKS.
AND THIS IS YOUR NACELLE TANK BACK HERE, BEHIND THE ENGINE.
AND WHAT I SEE NOW IS YOU HAVE A LEAK,
A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM YOUR LEFT-HAND NACELLE TANK...
Pete: I SEE IT.
Gabe: AND IT'S RUNNING DOWN A WIRE BUNDLE.
Pete: OH, THAT'S GREAT. Gabe: THAT'S HORRIBLE.
Pete: THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE.
Gabe: THE FUEL'S RUNNING DOWN THIS WING PAN RIGHT HERE,
AND IT'S COMING INTO THESE DRAIN HOLES
IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FUSELAGE.
Brad: DUDE, THAT'S A HUGE FIRE HAZARD.
Gabe: HUGE FIRE HAZARD.
IT'S COMING DOWN.
Pete: HOLY HORSE [BLEEP]
Brad: WHAT'S THE FIX FOR THIS?
Gabe: OUR BEST BET ACTUALLY IS TO GET A PROFESSIONAL IN HERE.
FUEL TANK EXPERT.
Narrator: MOST PILOTS ARE PRETTY GOOD WITH A WRENCH,
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO FUEL PROBLEMS,
EVEN THE BEST LIKE TO DELEGATE.
Pete: IF THE EXPERT COMES IN TONIGHT
AND DISCOVERS THAT WE HAVE A BAD FUEL TANK,
THIS TRIP IS NOT HAPPENING.
Man: LET'S SEE WHAT YOU GOT.
Brad: SO IT SHOULD BE BACK HERE, HUH?
Man: GABRIEL IS GOING TO BLOW SOME COMPRESSED AIR IN THERE,
AND THEN I'M GOING TO START LOOKING AROUND
AND SEE IF I CAN SEE WHERE THIS AIR IS ESCAPING FROM.
HOLD ON, I JUST SAW SOMETHING RIGHT THERE.
OK, THAT TELLS ME SOMETHING.
Pete: THAT'S MONEY RIGHT THERE.
Man: SEE THE BUBBLES?
Narrator: IT'S AN OLD AND RELIABLE TRICK:
BLOW IN SOME AIR,
AND LET THE BUBBLES GIVE AWAY THE LEAK.
Man: THE CONDUIT RIGHT HERE IS WHERE THE FUEL IS LEAKING.
IT'S COMING THROUGH.
Pete: I SEE IT.
Narrator: LUCKY THING BRAD AND PETE
DECIDED TO FILL UP TONIGHT INSTEAD OF TOMORROW.
Pete: IF WE'D HAVE FUELED IN THE MORNING,
WE WOULD'VE PUT THE FUEL IN,
TAKEN OFF, BLASTED OFF ON OUR WAY,
AND BEEN SITTIN' THERE GOING,
"GEE, WHY ARE WE USING UP SO MUCH FUEL?" AT THE VERY LEAST.
AND A WORST-CASE SCENARIO, AN ONBOARD FIRE.
Brad: MY CONFIDENCE IN THIS PLANE,
EVERY TIME IT COMES UP TWO OR THREE NOTCHES,
IT GETS DROPPED DOWN LIKE FIVE.
Narrator: AT LAST, THE FUEL EXPERT COMES BACK
WITH THE VERDICT ON THE LEAK REPAIR.
Jerel: WE'VE GOT A LITTLE GOOD NEWS
AND SOME BAD NEWS.
Brad: THAT'S USUALLY HOW IT GOES.
Jerel: THAT'S AVIATION FOR YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
WE GOT A NUT PLATE,
WHICH IS GOING TO BE RELATIVELY EASY TO FIX.
AND THEN WE HAVE A PROBE, LOOKS LIKE IT'S CRACKED.
WE'LL HAVE TO GET A NEW ONE.
AND REALLY CAN'T DO MUCH WITH PARTS RIGHT NOW
UNTIL TOMORROW MORNING.
Brad: SO YOU'RE SAYING ANYWHERE FROM A COUPLE OF HOURS DELAY
TO MAYBE A FULL DAY?
Jerel: I WOULD BE WILLING TO BET
YOU'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT LEAVING THE FOLLOWING DAY.
Brad: IT'S THE SAME STORY EVERY TIME.
IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT, YOU KNOW.
Pete: JUST THIS GETS SO OLD.
Narrator: NEXT MORNING,
PETE AND BRAD HEAD BACK TO THE HANGAR,
HOPING FOR GOOD NEWS ON THE PARTS.
Brad: LET'S SEE IF WE CAN FIND GABE.
WHAT'S UP, GABE?
Gabe: HEY, BRAD. Brad: HEY, GOOD MORNING.
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THIS GUY?
Gabe: THE GOOD NEWS IS WE DID FIND A FUEL PROBE IN FLORIDA.
Brad: VERY COOL.
Gabe: THE BAD NEWS, UNFORTUNATELY,
IS IT'S IN NORTHERN FLORIDA,
AND IT WON'T BE ABLE TO BE HERE UNTIL TOMORROW MORNING, GUYS.
Brad: ARE YOU SERIOUS?
Pete: THAT'S NOT GOING TO WORK. WE NEED TO GET SOMETHING.
Brad: I MEAN, THAT'S A DAY AND A HALF BEHIND.
Pete: WE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION
BECAUSE THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS.
Narrator: THE BEST FERRY PILOTS
WILL DO ALMOST ANYTHING TO KEEP FLYING,
EVEN IF IT MEANS RENTING A PLANE
AND PICKING UP THE PART THEMSELVES
IN NORTHERN FLORIDA.
Pete: YEAH, HI.
WONDERING IF YOU GUYS HAVE SOME AIRCRAFT RENTALS?
Brad: IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO? THAT'S PRETTY STEEP.
Pete: THAT WOULD BE HUGE.
Narrator: PETE HAS JUST CAUGHT A LUCKY BREAK.
Brad: WHAT'S UP, MAN? Pete: OK, I CALLED MY BUDDY.
HE SAID, "DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT.
I'LL FLY OVER THERE TO THEIR AIRPORT,
PICK UP THE PART.
JUST HAVE IT READY, GIVE ME THE DETAILS.
ZIP IT DOWN TO YOU GUYS, HAVE IT HERE TONIGHT."
Brad: THAT'S HUGE. Pete: IT IS HUGE.
JIM'S REALLY HOOKING US UP. ALL HE WANTS IS FUEL.
PAY FOR THE FUEL, DON'T WORRY ABOUT AIRCRAFT COSTS...
ON HIS WAY.
Brad: YOU KNOW, AVIATION IS A REALLY SMALL WORLD,
AND PETE'S PRETTY BIG IN THAT SMALL WORLD,
SO IT'S NOT SURPRISING
THAT HE'S GOT PEOPLE LIKE THAT THAT WILL HELP HIM OUT.
Narrator: THREE HOURS LATER,
PETE'S PAL SHOWS UP WITH THE MISSING PART.
Pete: HEY, JIM!
Jim: HEY, PETE. IT'S YOU AGAIN.
Brad: HEY, YOU MADE IT!
Pete: AWESOME!
Jim: THERE YOU GO, BUDDY. Pete: THANK YOU, SIR.
YOU REALLY SAVED US, AND THAT'S A HUGE DEAL.
Brad: THANKS. KISS THE GIRLS IN NAM.
SAFE FLIGHT. WE'LL SEE YOU LATER.
Pete: ON TIME!
NOW YOU GUYS HAVE TO WORK YOUR MAGIC.
WE NEED THAT IN TONIGHT, TESTED, FILLED WITH FUEL,
AND MAKE SURE IT'S GOOD.
Gabe: LOOKS LIKE YOU GUYS
WILL BE GETTING OUT OF HERE ON TIME TOMORROW.
Pete: YES!
Narrator: DOWN IN SOUTH AMERICA,
KERRY KNOWS THAT THE NEXT LEG OF THEIR FLIGHT
CAN BE DEADLY.
Kerry: IF WE GET TO THE POINT OF NO RETURN AND WE'RE SCREWED,
WE'RE GONNA BE LOOKING FOR OPTIONS.
Narrator: IT'S MORE THAN 600 MILES
FROM GEORGETOWN, GUYANA,
OVER NON-STOP AMAZON JUNGLE TO MACAPA, BRAZIL.
Kerry: THIS IS THE LONG ONE, KIND OF A DANGEROUS ONE
'CAUSE THERE'S NO AIRPORTS IN BETWEEN, NOWHERE TO GO.
IF WE HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN WE'RE OUT OF RANGE OF EITHER AIRPORT,
WE'RE GOING DOWN IN THE AMAZON.
YOU ALL SET, STU?
LET'S DO IT.
THEN WE GET TO TEST OUR SURVIVAL SKILLS.
Narrator: THEY'LL BE PUSHING THE ABSOLUTE LIMIT
OF THE FUEL RANGE FOR THE NAVAJO.
IT'S ALREADY BURNING MORE THAN IT SHOULD.
Kerry: 30 GALLONS AN HOUR
WILL GIVE US MAYBE 45-MINUTE RESERVE TODAY,
WHICH IS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE.
IF WE HAVE AN ENGINE PROBLEM
AND WE HAVE TO DODGE THUNDERSTORMS,
WE'RE GONNA BE IN TROUBLE.
SO WE'RE REALLY JUST KIND OF CROSSING OUR FINGERS ON THIS ONE
AND GOING FOR IT.
Stu: GOT 85...COMING UP.
Kerry: I'LL TAKE THE GEAR.
Stu: GEAR UP.
WE GOT SOME TIME TO MAKE UP.
Kerry: WE DO.
Narrator: AN AIRPORT HOLIDAY YESTERDAY IN TRINIDAD
PUT THEM BEHIND SCHEDULE.
THAT'S WHY THEY'RE GUNNING IT TODAY.
Kerry: THIS THING IS TURBO CHARGED.
IT GOES A LITTLE FASTER,
AND WE GET JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE RANGE THE HIGHER WE GO,
SO SEE WHAT THAT DOES.
Stu: I SAY WE JUST DO IT. Kerry: HANG ON, A COUPLE BUMPS.
WHOO! THERE WE GO.
[BLEEP]
Narrator: THE WEATHER ISN'T DOING THEM ANY FAVORS.
Kerry: IF THESE HEADWINDS GET ANY WORSE,
WE'RE SCREWED.
THAT IS SLOW.
WE GOT TO BE PUSHING A 35-MILE HEADWIND.
Narrator: THEY'RE SLOWING DOWN
AND USING A LOT MORE FUEL THAN THEY'D PLANNED.
Kerry: THAT'S NOT GOOD.
KEEP AN EYE ON THAT FUEL PRESSURE
'CAUSE IF THAT THING SPUTTERS WHILE WE'RE ON APPROACH,
WE GOT TO GO TO THOSE BOOST PUMPS RIGHT AWAY.
Stu: OK. Kerry: 36.6 MILES.
COME ON, BABY.
Narrator: NOW THE ENGINES ARE SUCKING IN THE TANKS' RESERVES.
Kerry: I'M PUTTING MY SHOULDER HARNESS ON NOW.
Stu: PROBABLY NOT A BAD IDEA.
Kerry: AT LEAST ONE OF THE ENGINES
SHOULD STILL BE RUNNING BY THE TIME WE GET THERE,
BUT THEY'RE RUNNING PRETTY LOW, SO I REALLY HOPE WE MAKE IT.
[ENGINE SPUTTERING]
Kerry: OH, THERE WE GO! [BLEEP]
Narrator: THAT'S ONE ENGINE SPUTTERING...
Kerry: BOOST PUMP'S ON.
Stu: WE HAVE FUEL PRESSURE.
Narrator: THEY MANAGE TO PUMP JUST ENOUGH FUEL TO THE ENGINE
TO KEEP IT GOING.
Kerry: MACAPA CONTROL, NOVEMBER TWO SEVEN SIX ZERO EIGHT.
WE'D LIKE PRIORITY LANDING, FUEL CRITICAL.
Man on radio: 23 MILES FROM MACAPA.
Kerry: RIGHT AUX TANK'S DEAD.
NOW WE'RE ON THE RIGHT MAIN TANK,
AND THAT ONE DOESN'T HAVE MUCH GAS IN IT EITHER, SO...
Narrator: KERRY KNOWS HE HAS TO NAIL THE LANDING
BECAUSE THIS TIME, THERE'S NO SECOND CHANCE.
Stu: COME ON, COME ON, COME ON. COME ON, COME ON.
Kerry: OK, PRE-LANDING CHECKLIST:
GAS--NOT MUCH ON THE FULLEST TANKS;
UNDERCARRIAGE, DOWN; THREE GREEN, ONE IN THE WINDOW.
Stu: FUEL PUMP'S ON.
Kerry: MIXTURE'S FUEL-RICH. FUEL PUMP'S ON.
JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE.
Stu: I THINK WE'RE HIGH ENOUGH TO GLIDE IN THERE NOW,
IF WE LOSE AN ENGINE.
Kerry: IF THIS QUITS NOW,
I'M AIMING RIGHT FOR THE END OF THE RUNWAY.
[RADIO CHATTER]
Kerry: COMIN' FULL FLAPS.
I THINK I GOT THE RUNWAY MADE.
OH, MAN.
YES! HA HA HA!
HA HA HA HA!
Stu: AYE, YI, YI, YI.
NICE, NICE, NICE, NICE, NICE.
Kerry: FLAPS. YOU'RE THE FLAPS. BOOST PUMPS OFF.
WOO HOO!
BACK ON THE GROUND, SAFE AND SOUND.
[RADIO CHATTER]
WOO HOO!
Stu: IT'S BEEN A WHILE
SINCE I'VE BEEN THIS HAPPY TO PUT MY FEET ON THE GROUND.
Kerry: YEAH, NO DOUBT.
LET'S SEE, BUZZ CHECK. NOT TOO BAD, NOT TOO BAD.
Stu: THAT WAS INTENSE,
BUT THE FACT IS WE HAVE POSSIBLY TWO MORE LEGS LEFT TODAY,
AND WE GOT TO HAVE A CLEAR HEAD TO DO IT,
SO WE NEED TO RESET
AND TRY TO GET BACK IN THE AIR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Narrator: STU AND KERRY ARE STILL 2,500 MILES
FROM THEIR DELIVERY TARGET IN ARGENTINA,
WITH ONLY THREE DAYS TO GO.
Kerry: CORY MADE SOME PROMISES TO THE NEW OWNERS,
AND HE'S REALLY COUNTING ON ME TO GET IT DONE
AND KEEP HIS PROMISE FOR HIM.
THIS PLANE NEEDS TO GET DOWN THERE FAST.
Narrator: 2,500 MILES NORTH...
Brad: ALRIGHT, YOU READY? Pete: I'M READY.
Narrator: THE CHEYENNE'S FUEL LEAK HAS BEEN REPAIRED.
SO PETE AND BRAD ARE FINALLY TAKING OFF.
Man on radio: DEPARTING RUNWAY 5,
USE CAUTION FOR BIRDS OUTSIDE OF AIRPORT.
Narrator: THEY HAVE A GIANT MARATHON AHEAD OF THEM--
10,000 MILES,
FROM THE SANDY BEACHES OF FLORIDA,
ALL THE WAY TO THE PHILIPPINE JUNGLES.
Brad: YES, SIREE DOODLE!
Narrator: TODAY THEY'LL FLY OVER 2,000 MILES
AND STOP IN UTAH TO REFUEL.
AT LEAST, THAT WAS THE PLAN,
'CAUSE NOW, THE CHEYENNE IS SHOWING HER AGE
ALL OVER AGAIN.
Pete: WE'VE GOT ICE ALL OVER THIS WINDSCREEN, AND IT SUCKS.
I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING! NOTHING!
NO HEATER.
SEE THE HEATER?
NOTHING. THERE'S NO HEATER.
Narrator: UP AT 23,000 FEET,
THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE DROPS TO -22 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT,
AND THAT COLD IS SEEPING INTO THE CABIN.
Brad: WE GOT THINGS FREEZING UP,
WE GOT NUTS AND BOLTS FREEZING UP,
WE GOT A WINDSHIELD THAT WON'T DEFROST.
IT'S JUST ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER.
Pete: LET ME START MAKING A LIST, DUDE,
'CAUSE THIS IS CRAP.
Brad: HERE, WHY DON'T WE START HERE
WITH THE LEDs YOU SAID ARE BURNT OUT?
Pete: OK, LEDs.
I'M GONNA PUT HEATER/DEFROST.
Brad: YEAH, THE DEFROST...
Pete: WE HAVE A MULTITUDE OF AVIONICS PROBLEMS
GOING ON UP HERE--
THINGS THAT ARE IN-OP, THEY'RE NOT LABELED IN-OP.
Brad: PROP DE-ICE.
I WONDER IF I SHOULD EVEN GO THERE.
Pete: NOT NOW. PLEASE DON'T DO IT.
[LAUGHTER]
Narrator: IF THE DE-ICERS DON'T DE-ICE THE PROPS,
FLYING ACROSS ALASKA AND NORTHERN RUSSIA
WILL BE A GAME OF AIRBORNE RUSSIAN ROULETTE,
'CAUSE THE ICY CONDITIONS CAN SHOOT THEM DOWN ALMOST ANYWHERE.
Pete: I HAVE ZERO CONFIDENCE IN THIS AIRCRAFT RIGHT NOW.
NONE. I WILL NOT FLY THIS AT NIGHT,
I WILL NOT FLY THIS INTO WEATHER,
I WILL NOT FLY THIS INTO ICE RIGHT NOW, PERIOD.
Brad: I'M PRETTY MUCH ON BOARD WITH THAT.
Narrator: AS SOON AS THIS PLANE TOUCHES DOWN,
SHE'S HEADED STRAIGHT BACK TO THE HANGAR,
WITH JUST ONE-FIFTH OF THE JOURNEY BEHIND HER
AND 8,000 MILES TO GO.
IN BRAZIL,
KERRY AND STU ARE DOWN TO A TIGHT TWO-DAY DEADLINE
TO DELIVER THE NAVAJO TO ARGENTINA.
BUT STU'S JUST MET A GUY WHO CAN HELP THEM BIG-TIME.
Stu: UH-HUH.
Narrator: JONAS IS A BRAZILIAN FERRY PILOT
WHO'S ALSO DELIVERING A PLANE TO ARGENTINA.
Jonas: 1,545.
Stu: THAT'S THREE LEGS. Jonas: CAN YOU DO 500 EACH?
Narrator: HE KNOWS THE BACK ROUTES WELL,
AND HE'S OFFERING TO FLY THEM OVER SOME SHORTCUTS
THAT'LL SAVE THEM A HUGE WHACK OF TIME.
Kerry: WE REALLY SCORED.
HAVING A NATIVE TO ESCORT YOU IS UNBELIEVABLY LUCKY.
THAT'S WHY I REALLY LOVE FERRY FLYING.
I LOVE GOING TO THE SMALL AIRPORTS
AND MEETING ALL THE PILOTS.
I DON'T LIKE GOING TO BIG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
AND MEETING BUREAUCRATS.
THAT'S JUST PAINFUL.
IT'S LIKE GETTING A ROOT CANAL.
Stu: BEING ABLE TO FLY TO SMALLER AIRPORTS,
JUST GET FUEL, NO FLIGHT PLAN, BE ON OUR WAY.
IT'S HUGE.
IT'S THE BIGGEST SCOOP OF THIS WHOLE TRIP.
Stu: WHAT'S YOUR ALTITUDE AT 2992?
Kerry: OH, THERE HE IS.
ALRIGHT, WE GOT YOU. SEE HIM?
Stu: OH, YEAH, I GOT HIM.
ALRIGHT, WE GOTCHA, THANKS.
Narrator: FROM MACAPA,
JONAS WILL TAKE THEM TO A TINY AIRPORT IN ARAGUAINA,
WAY OFF THE BEATEN PATH.
IT'S MUCH MORE DIRECT
THAN THE ROUTE KERRY AND STU HAD PLANNED.
Kerry: ARAGUAINA.
I NEVER THOUGHT I'D MAKE IT HERE.
I NEVER KNEW IT EXISTED.
THERE YOU GO. BEAUTIFUL.
Stu: TURN AND BURN. IN AND OUT.
Kerry: NOT A BUREAUCRAT IN SIGHT.
Stu: THE FASTEST STOP OF THE ENTIRE TRIP.
UH, IT'S AMAZING.
Narrator: FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE STU AND KERRY HIT THE CLOUDS,
THEY'VE GOT A DECENT CHANCE OF MAKING GOOD ON CORY'S PROMISE--
TO DELIVER THIS NAVAJO TO ITS OWNER ON TIME.
NOW ALL THEY HAVE TO DO
IS KEEP UP WITH THEIR NEW FRIEND.
FOR NINE HOURS,
PETE AND BRAD HAVE PUSHED THIS LIMPING CHEYENNE
ACROSS THE MIDWEST.
Brad: HOLY COW. MY FEET ARE, I THINK, FROZEN TO THE FLOOR.
AND THAT'S WITH A NEWSPAPER INSULATOR.
Pete: AND THAT FLOOR IS COLDER
BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE SUN HERE NOW EITHER.
Brad: JUST ADD IT TO THE LIST OF THE OTHER STUFF
THAT THE MECHANICS GOT TO LOOK AT WHEN WE GET TO UTAH.
Narrator: THEIR UTAH PIT STOP
IS HOME BASE FOR BOSS CORY BENGTZEN.
THEY CAN'T WAIT TO UNLOAD ON HIM.
Brad: I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO PASSING HIM THE KEYS
AND SAYING, "ALRIGHT, WE MADE IT THIS FAR.
IT'S YOURS."
Pete: GOOD LUCK, SUCKER! Brad: GOOD LUCK, SUCKER.
NOW YOU CAN SEE WHAT YOU GAVE US TO DRIVE
HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD.
Narrator: CORY'S WAITING WHEN THEY LAND...
Cory: YOU MADE IT!
Narrator: KNOWING HE'S ABOUT TO GET AN EARFUL.
Brad: WE MADE IT.
Cory: HOW WAS THE FLIGHT IN?
Brad: IT'S GOT ALL KINDS OF WEIRD...WEIRD QUIRKS.
THERE'S PROBLEMS WITH THE AVIONICS, THE AUTOPILOT.
THERE'S NO HEAT IN IT, SO WE'RE FROZEN--
Pete: I'M FROZEN RIGHT NOW.
Brad: THE RIGHT WINDSHIELD JUST TURNS TO A SHEET OF ICE.
PETE'S SITTING THERE SCRAPING IT THE WHOLE FLIGHT.
Cory: IS THAT ALL NEW ISSUES AFTER THE TEST FLIGHT?
Pete: YEAH. IT'S OLD AND TIRED.
Narrator: CORY HAS TO GET THIS DELIVERY BACK ON TRACK.
HIS PILOTS GET PAID, EVEN FOR DOWN DAYS.
IT ALL COMES OUT OF CORY'S $25,000 FEE.
Cory: IT JUST BARELY GOT OFF THE GROUND
AND HASN'T EVEN MADE IT HALFWAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY YET,
AND WE'RE ALREADY EXPERIENCING SOME MAJOR ISSUES.
IT'S GOT ME A LITTLE NERVOUS.
Narrator: WITH THE HELP OF JONAS, THE BRAZILIAN FERRY PILOT,
STU AND KERRY HAVE CROSSED THIS COUNTRY IN RECORD TIME.
AND TO THEIR SURPRISE,
THAT MEANS THE NAVAJO FLIGHT IS NOW AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
Stu: YEAH, WE JUST LANDED DOWN HERE ON THE BRAZILIAN BORDER
AT FOZ DO--WHAT IS IT?
Kerry: UH, FOZ DO IGUACU.
Stu: FOZ DO IGUACU.
Narrator: ONLY THREE HOURS FROM DELIVERY,
THEY NEED CORY TO CONFIRM THE DROP-OFF POINT.
Stu: WE GOT REFUELED,
AND WE'RE JUST GIVING YOU A CALL TO SEE WHAT THE LATEST IS.
Narrator: TO THESE GUYS,
LANDING WITHOUT CLEARING CUSTOMS SOUNDS DODGY.
Stu: DO THEY HAVE THIS COVERED WITH THE GOVERNMENT ALREADY?
I MEAN, 'CAUSE THAT'S AN ILLEGAL LANDING.
Kerry: YEP, BYE.
Stu: THAT IS...
THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE CRAZIEST THING TO HAPPEN THE ENTIRE TRIP.
Kerry: ENTERING A COUNTRY WITHOUT CLEARING CUSTOMS...
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY CALL IT IN ARGENTINA,
BUT IT'S A FELONY IN THE UNITED STATES.
Stu: AND AS PILOTS,
WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO FOLLOW SOME VERY SPECIFIC RULES,
ESPECIALLY IF WE WANT TO STAY PILOTS, FOR ONE,
AND NOT GO TO JAIL, TWO.
Narrator: THEY'VE PUSHED THEMSELVES TO THE LIMIT
THE LAST SIX DAYS.
THEY'RE ONLY 600 MILES FROM THE FINISH LINE,
BUT THEY REFUSE TO RISK EVERYTHING FOR CORY'S CLIENT.
Kerry: I'M NOT GOING INTO THAT PRIVATE STRIP,
NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS. IT'S JUST STUPID.
WE'LL GET BUSTED. NAH.
Narrator: IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG
FOR THE OWNER TO COME UP WITH A NEW GAME PLAN.
Kerry: WE WILL TRY TO TAKE OFF EARLIER,
BUT WE STILL HAVE TO CLEAR CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION,
PAY LANDING FEES, FLIGHT PLAN.
Kerry: OK. THAT WILL WORK.
THANK YOU, FRANCO. BYE BYE.
HE'S GOTTEN RID OF THE DIRT STRIP
BEHIND HIS BUDDY'S PLANTATION OR SOMETHING.
WHO KNOWS WHAT IT WAS.
SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,
WE'RE GETTING CUSTOMS, EVERYTHING'S GREAT.
SO PRETTY COOL.
Stu: BACK ON TRACK.
Narrator: WITH A SQUEAKY CLEAN AND LEGAL LANDING ALL LINED UP,
STU AND KERRY START OFF ON THE LAST LEG OF THEIR TRIP.
Kerry: I WILL GET THE GEAR.
Narrator: FINISH LINE, NOW JUST THREE HOURS AWAY.
Narrator: BACK UP NORTH IN UTAH...
BRAD AND CORY ARE TRYING TO SORT OUT
SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CHEYENNE.
Brad: WE'RE GONNA DOUBLE-CHECK THAT HEATER
AND ALL THE DE-ICING STUFF AND MAKE SURE IT WORKS.
Narrator: ICE-COLD TEMPERATURES
IN THE COCKPIT ON THE FIRST LEG OF THE TRIP
COULD BE AN OMINOUS WARNING OF A MORE SERIOUS PROBLEM.
Cory: JUST SEEING IF IT'S GONNA HEAT UP.
Narrator: IF THERE'S NO HEAT HITTING THE PROPELLERS OR WINGS,
EVEN THE THINNEST LAYER OF ICE CAN ALTER THE AERODYNAMICS.
Cory: NOTHIN' ON THIS, BRAD.
Narrator: ENOUGH TO TURN THE CHEYENNE
INTO A KAMIKAZE DIVE BOMBER.
Cory: WELL, WE'VE GOT SOME PRETTY MAJOR ISSUES.
I'M GOING TO HAVE TO CALL THE OWNER.
HE'S GOING TO BE SUPER FRUSTRATED.
BUT THESE ARE JUST OUT OF OUR CONTROL.
PART OF THE CHALLENGE OF FERRY FLYING,
ESPECIALLY OLDER PLANES LIKE THIS,
IF SOMETHING CAN BREAK, IT WILL BREAK.
HELLO, EDWIN, IT'S CORY BENGTZEN WITH CB AVIATION. HOW ARE YOU?
WE'VE GOT SOME PRETTY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE.
IT'S JUST ABSOLUTELY NOT SAFE
FOR THESE GUYS TO CONTINUE ON HOW IT IS.
Narrator: FOR NOW, THE CHEYENNE IS CORY'S PROBLEM.
Pete: WE'LL GET YOU BRIEFED ON THE SAFETY,
THE SEATBELTS...
Narrator: CORY ISN'T THE ONLY ONE BASED IN UTAH.
PETE LIVES HERE, TOO,
AND SO DOES HIS PERSONAL TRAINING JET,
THE AERO L39 ALBATROS.
Pete: COUPLE THINGS. THROTTLE, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS.
FUEL ON AND OFF. DON'T TOUCH THAT, PLEASE.
Brad: OK.
Pete: THIS JETTISONS THE CANOPY.
IF WE PULL THAT HANDLE ALL THE WAY DOWN,
THE CANOPY WILL JUST FLY AWAY.
GRAB THE HANDLE AND RELEASE IT, AND THE PARACHUTE WILL OPEN.
Brad: THAT ONE... THAT ONE FORWARD...
UPSIDE DOWN...WE'RE OUT.
I'M TOTALLY PUMPED.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO EXPECT,
BUT, YOU KNOW, THE PLANE LOOKS AWESOME.
Narrator: BRAD'S FLOWN A FEW JETS,
BUT HE'S NEVER BEEN TAUGHT WHAT TO DO
WHEN THAT JET'S OUT OF CONTROL IN THE WRONG POSITION.
Brad: THIS IS SUPER IMPORTANT TRAINING.
EVERY PILOT SHOULD DO IT.
IT JUST TEACHES YOU HOW TO RECOVER AN AIRPLANE
IF IT'S UPSIDE DOWN,
IF IT'S NOSE STRAIGHT UP, NOSE STRAIGHT DOWN.
IT KILLS A LOT OF PILOTS.
HERE WE GO, HUH?
WHOA HO!
[INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER]
THIS IS VERY COOL!
Pete: PRETTY SWEET, HUH?
Brad: YEAH, IT IS. I LOVE THE VIEW, TOO!
HOW MUCH DID YOU LOAD IT UP THERE WHEN YOU PITCHED UP TO 45?
Pete: ABOUT 3 Gs.
Brad: OOH! THAT WAS AWESOME, DUDE.
Pete: OK, YOU GOT THE AIRCRAFT? Brad: I'VE GOT IT!
Pete: OK, FULL AILERON LEFT. OR RIGHT.
Brad: OOPS, SORRY. Pete: THAT'S ALRIGHT.
SWEET! ROLL IT OUT LEVEL.
ISN'T THAT COOL?
Brad: WHOO HOO! I'M DIGGIN' IT!
Pete: WANT TO ROLL INVERTED?
I'M GONNA FLOAT IT DOWN TO THE HORIZON...
THAT'S ABOUT GOOD. NOW ROLL BACK.
Brad: DUDE, HOW COOL WAS THAT?
Pete: AIN'T THAT ***'? Brad: THAT'S ***'!
YEAH, THAT WAS AWESOME, DUDE.
Pete: PRETTY COOL, ISN'T IT? Brad: YEP.
THAT'S A GOOD SIGN RIGHT THERE.
I COULD FEEL IT WHEN WE WERE LOADING UP A LITTLE NEGATIVE,
LIKE WHEN WE'RE COMING THROUGH,
THAT'S WHEN I WAS JUST LIKE, URGH!
ALRIGHT, I EARNED THE HAT, THEN. ALRIGHT!
Pete: PRETTY SWEET, WASN'T IT? Brad: THAT WAS SWEET, MAN!
GOD, I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW IT FLIES!
Pete: YEAH, IT'S COOL.
Brad: IT'S SO EASY. YEAH, IT WAS AWESOME.
Pete: IT MAKES IT EASY. Brad: YEP.
Narrator: IT'S BEEN A GREAT BREAK FROM FLYING THE CHEYENNE,
BUT BY THIS TIME TOMORROW,
IF CORY MANAGES TO GET THE HEATER WORKING,
THESE TWO PILOTS WILL BE SKY HIGH,
BACK IN THE OLD BIRD AGAIN...
WHERE ALMOST ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.
Stu: THERE BETTER BE A TICKER TAPE PARADE HERE.
I WANT TO SEE STREAMERS, CONFETTI GUNS...
THERE IT IS. WOO-HOO!
Narrator: AFTER THREE HOURS OF SMOOTH SAILING,
STU AND KERRY ARE ABOUT TO MAKE GOOD ON CORY'S PROMISE
AND DELIVER THE NAVAJO ON TIME.
THEY'VE MADE IT ALL THE WAY FROM THE UNITED STATES
THROUGH SOUTH AMERICA
TO ARGENTINA
IN ONLY SIX DAYS.
Kerry: GEAR COMING DOWN.
110. NOW 105. Stu: GOT IT.
Kerry: OH!
TOUCHDOWN!
WOO-HOO!
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
PLEASE WELCOME THE NAVAJO TO ROSARIO.
Narrator: AFTER 5,500 MILES IN THE AIR,
PUSHING THE NAVAJO TO THE LIMIT...
IT'S FINALLY HOME.
[STU SPEAKING SPANISH]
WE'RE HERE, US AND THE PLANE, WE'RE HERE IN ONE PIECE.
IT'S GOOD.
NICE JOB, DUDE. YOU KILLED IT.
Kerry: WHOO!
I'M FEELING PRETTY GOOD.
IT WAS A LONG AND AND TOUGH ONE, THAT'S FOR DARN SURE,
BUT...[SIGHS]
IT FEELS GOOD TO GET THE PLANE IN THE OWNER'S HANDS
AND TURN YOUR BACK ON IT AND GO HOME.
Narrator: PETE AND BRAD KNOW THIS CHEYENNE
WILL NEVER FLY LIKE YESTERDAY'S L39 JET,
BUT CORY AND THE MECHANIC DID GET THE PROP DE-ICERS WORKING.
Brad: HEY, JOHN, WHAT'S THE WORD?
John: HEY, BRAD. HEY, PETE.
WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A COUPLE OF LOOSE GROUND WIRES
TO THE DE-ICE BOOTS ON THE PROPS.
SO WE TIGHTENED THOSE UP, DID ANOTHER TEST,
AND EVERYTHING WORKED.
Narrator: THE SAFETY PROBLEM IS OUT OF THE WAY,
BUT THAT'S SMALL COMFORT
BECAUSE THE CABIN IS STILL COLD AS A BEER COOLER.
Brad: WE NEED THE HEATER.
IT'S WAY TOO COLD, AND WE GOT WAY TOO LONG TO GO, SO...
John: WE'RE DOING A LITTLE TROUBLESHOOTING HERE
TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IN THE SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING.
Pete: HEY, JOHN, I'M FEELING HEAT ON THE FLOOR.
OH, YEAH, THE FLOOR'S GETTING WARM.
YEAH, IT'S TOTALLY WORKING FINE.
THAT'S GREAT NEWS.
Brad: THAT'S TOTALLY GOOD NEWS. MAN, IT'S PUMPING LIKE CRAZY.
Pete: IT FEELS GREAT.
Brad: YEAH, THAT'S A RELIEF.
Narrator: THE LAST THING ON THEIR LIST IS THE AVIONICS,
THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS THAT CONTROL
MANY OF THE AIRCRAFT'S MECHANICAL FUNCTIONS.
WITH SO MANY THINGS BREAKING DOWN,
PETE AND BRAD HAVE NEVER HAD TIME TO TEST THEM PROPERLY.
Pete: READY? Brad: I'M READY.
Narrator: BUT THIS TIME,
THEY CAN'T EVEN GET OFF THE GROUND.
Pete: OOH.
I GOT A REVERSER LOCK LIGHT, AND I HAVE THIS FLICKERING.
Brad: THIS IS REALLY STRANGE, WE GOT THAT BETA LIGHT FLASHING.
Pete: IT'S A LIGHT THAT INDICATES
THE PROPELLERS ARE IN THE BETA RANGE,
WHICH IS THE REVERSE.
AND HAVING THE ENGINE
ALLOW THE PROPELLER TO GO INTO REVERSE IN FLIGHT
IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS.
Brad: LET'S SEE IF HE ANSWERS. IT'S SUNDAY.
AND HE DOESN'T KNOW MY NUMBER.
Brad: HEY, CORY, IT'S BRAD AND PETE.
HOW YOU DOING?
Brad: THE PLANE IS GIVING US AN INDICATION
THAT THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BETA
ON THE LEFT ENGINE.
Pete: JOHN IS ON IT RIGHT NOW, CORY.
HE'S GOT THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL OUT,
AND IT'S REPEATING THE PROBLEM, SO IT'S NOT INTERMITTENT.
Brad: WE'LL JUST KEEP YOU UPDATED.
ALRIGHT, SEE YA.
YOU KNOW WHAT? I MEAN, THIS IS NO JOKE.
I DON'T HAVE THREE MONTHS
TO GO LIMPING ACROSS THE PLANET WITH THIS THING.
Narrator: NEXT TIME ON "DANGEROUS FLIGHTS"...
Brad: I'M GETTING SO BORED.
Pete: WILL SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT THE HECK?
Narrator: PETE AND BRAD ARE RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE WITH THE OLD BIRD.
Stu: THIS IS A TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED AIRCRAFT.
Kerry: SO WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME IS YOU'D LIKE TO BE CAPTAIN.
Narrator: KERRY AND STU
BATTLE FOR CONTROL OF THE CAPTAIN'S SEAT.
Kerry: EASY THERE, HOSS. Stu: DON'T SAY EASY TO ME.
Kerry: YOU'RE THE ONE WITH THE HAND ON THE THROTTLE!
Narrator: AND BAD WEATHER IS ENDANGERING BOTH FLIGHTS.
Brad: YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING, DUDE?
Kerry: I DON'T MIND RAIN MUCH AT ALL,
BUT LIGHTNING'S BAD.