Warbird Information Exchange

We're trying to catch up on this series and watched a recent episode of "Ice Pilots NWT" from our DVR last night. I was sad to see Arnie announce his retirement and pass under the arch of water provided by the Yellowknife fire trucks. I was completely shocked at the end to see a dedication to Arnie, 1942-2012. A quick internet search says that Arnie passed on May 5th from small-cell lung cancer.

From everything that I've seen via the TV show, Arnie was a pilot's pilot - the sort of guy you hope to find as a mentor when you're young and the sort of guy you'd enjoy flying with if you were a peer. I didn't know him, but I sure enjoyed sharing in some of his adventures through the show. I know I will miss seeing him and I can only imagine the sorrow his family and friends must be saddled with at the moment. My most sincere condolences to his and the Buffalo families.

Blue skies Arnie! Thanks for choosing to share a piece of your life with the rest of us,
Ken

Having met him he was a wealth of knowledge and his skills were amazing never afraid to show new pilots the ropes hopefully lots of blue skies in heaven and happy flying RIP Arnie

I was also sadden with the news of his passing... Blue Skies Arnie

Arnie was the real deal, and he could fly anything. I was fortunate enough to know him over a good span of years and it was he that soloed me years ago in an Aeronca Champ (somewhat illegally, but that another story). Years and years ago he and a friend took a job at the end of spray season and ferried half a dozen P-51's to South America. He said they got somebody to show them how to start them, quickly showed them the taps, and then they were on their own. He still marvelled at how they survived it.

Dan

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Defending Stearmans on WIX since Jeff started badmouthing them back in 2005.

I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know Arnie had passed away until watching Ice Pilots new episode last night. My daughter was curious why I had tears in my eyes for somebody I didn’t know. I guess from what others had said here and on the show, he was the same person in real life that you saw on the show. I missed seeing him on the show since he retired and I’m sorry to hear he lost his battle with cancer. Blue skies Arnie.

Was arnie the one who dropped the dam buster?

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" I am a nobody in aviation, but somebody to my family."

Yes he was. A true airman that is for sure.

I really enjoyed that show and now I can't watch it anywhere

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" I am a nobody in aviation, but somebody to my family."