In the frigid Alaskan town of Unalakleet, the Tweto's and their family-run airline battle the arctic elements to transport supplies and passengers to some of the most inaccessible areas on the planet.
Pilot Luke Hickerson transports dangerous chemicals from Barrow to the remote village of Atqasuk. Then, in Unalakleet, the cold and dark winter claims its first casualty and Jim must make arrangements to transport the casket.
Unseasonably warm weather sends Jim up to the Brooks Range to look for potential landing strips. Ferno and Ariel prepare an Eskimo feast for returning pilot John Ponts and the week ends with an icy plunge into the Unalakleet River.
In Bethel, construction crews race to finish Era's newest hanger before the unforgiving winter snows arrive. But when Jim flies in to inspect the progress, he is far from happy. In Unk, fierce crosswinds blow John Ponts' tiny 207 all over the sky.
Pilot Yuri Ivanoff trains in Bethel for a potential promotion to fly the 208 Caravan but danger strikes when heavy ice forms on the wings. In Unalakleet, weeks of rain force Jim to do a river landing and a greenhorn arrives in the terminal.
Pilot Doug Doherty transports volatile explosives to a small village west of Siberian Russia. Meanwhile, greenhorn pilot Ben Pederson slams into a bird mid-flight while transporting two Department of Transportation workers to the village of Stebbins.
Era Alaska makes a special canine delivery for four-time Iditarod champion Lance Mackey. After the first snow in Unalakleet, Jim and Ferno cope with an influx of schoolteachers on their busiest day of the year.
A dangerous frozen river landing leaves Jim and Ferno skating on thin ice while Ariel's flying lessons end in disaster. Later, the biggest snowstorm of the season hits, shutting down all of Western Alaska and leaving several Era pilots up in the air.
Halloween in Alaska brings vicious crosswinds that wreak havoc on Era's small planes. Ariel hopes to learn the family business in Unk but a power blackout tests her abilities when she takes over as station manager.
The approaching winter darkness fuels a mass exodus from Unalakleet. In Barrow, a bootlegger attempts to smuggle in illegal liquor and Luke races to complete a daring rescue before the sun sets for two months straight.