America's stories told by the Smithsonian

SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL HD

Climbers landing on a glacier at the foot of Mount Denali, follow in the footsteps of aviation pioneers. A swarm of 600,000 bees threatens the plane's structural  integrity and veterinarians battling a rabies epidemic go up agai.

Ice Airport Alaska

Top of the World

When seismic activity around Mount Spurr heats up, pilots fly supplies to farmers. The operations team at Anchorage International deal with two emergency landings and proud parents turn to pilots to get them to a vital school ba.

Volcano Preppers

A heavy hauling helicopter flies across the frozen Bering Sea to the tiny island of Little Diomede, just 2.4 miles from Russia. At Fort Wainwright the Artic Angels prepare for a medevac mission and a veteran bush pilot tests his.

Edge of Today

A wolverine overcomes first-time flyer's nerves to travel to a new home. A helicopter pilot hunts for a showstopping ice cave. An 80-year-old cargo plane flies into the Arctic, and a wall of arctic fog threatens the airport wit.

Thanksgiving Day Delay

A chronicle of the daily challenges of the airport staff who manage to keep the facility open, freight flowing and passengers flying all despite weather that regularly dips to -36 degrees and wind speeds that typically exceed 100 mph.

S6 E10 | Top of the World

E10 | Top of the World

E9 | Volcano Preppers

E8 | Edge of Today

E7 | Thanksgiving Day Delay