Ep 6. Blizzard BBQ

As winter settles into the small town of Unalakleet, Alaska, residents brace themselves for the arrival of a severe storm. In this episode of Flying Wild Alaska, the Tweto family and their flying crew scramble to prepare for the storm's arrival before they're grounded for days on end.

Jim and Ferno Tweto, along with their daughters Ariel and Ayla, own and operate Era Alaska, a small airline that provides essential transportation to remote villages throughout the state. Unalakleet sits at the heart of their operation and serves as the hub for all their flights. As the storm approaches, the family works together to batten down the hatches and ensure their planes are protected from the elements.

As the wind and snow pick up outside, Ariel and co-pilot John head out on a flight to deliver supplies to the village of Wainwright. The village is located on the coast, and the runway is just a narrow strip of ice that borders the ocean. It's a dangerous landing even on clear days, but in these conditions, it's even more treacherous. Ariel and John must rely on their years of flying experience and their knowledge of the area to make a safe landing.

Meanwhile, Jim and his mechanic, Chucky, brave the storm to conduct an important maintenance check on one of Era's planes. They have to conduct the inspection outside in the freezing cold, but they're determined to make sure the plane is ready to fly as soon as the storm passes.

As the storm rages on, the Tweto family comes up with a plan to make the best of a bad situation. They decide to host a "Blizzard BBQ" in their hangar, inviting friends and fellow pilots over for food and drinks. It's a chance to de-stress and bond with their loved ones during a stressful time.

But the party is short-lived when Ariel and John receive a distress call from a group of hunters stranded on the ice. The hunters have run out of fuel and are in danger of freezing to death if they aren't rescued soon. Ariel and John gather their gear and set off into the stormy night, hoping to locate the hunters and bring them back to safety.

As the episode concludes, the storm finally begins to subside, and the residents of Unalakleet emerge from their homes to assess the damage. It's been a tough few days, but the Tweto family and their crew are grateful to have made it through in one piece. And with a renewed appreciation for each other and the wild beauty of Alaska, they're ready to face whatever challenges come their way.