Alaska's Toughest Pilots

Airplanes are the lifeblood of Alaska, transporting critical supplies and rescuing the lost and injured in areas where roads don't reach. But violent weather and extreme terrain make these the most dangerous skies in the country, and bush pilots often go beyond the call of duty to get the job done.

Gold mining is alive and well in Alaska, and Dave and Debbie King pilot a helicopter to move a massive drill the miners need to strike gold. A 14-month-old baby suffers from pneumonia in an area without adequate pediatric care, so it takes a Learjet to make a trip to Anchorage.

A chopper pilot picks up a team of scientists, but with a heavy load of fossils and bad weather approaching, the scientists may have to make the choice of their research getting a lift or themselves getting a ride.