Mighty Planes

Formula E auto racing is redefining motorsport, but AirBridgeCargo's 747-8F is poised to take the checkered flag. See her fly from China to Russia to England in a race against the clock to deliver a fleet of electric-powered race cars and gear in time for the next race. Intensifying matters for the pilots and loading crew: a dangerous cargo of potentially explosive lithium-ion batteries and a typhoon threatening to hit Hong Kong before they even take off.

The Stargazer L-1011 is a unique kind of storm chaser, able to shoot NASA weather satellites into space from 39,000 feet in the air. See how this onetime Air Canada jetliner was converted to carry a very different kind of passenger: the Pegasus XL rocket, which launches satellites designed to detect the speed, magnitude, and intensity of hurricanes. Follow the Stargazer on her latest mission, one plagued by bad weather, mechanical issues, and launch delays.

U.S. aircraft carriers all over the world rely on a quiet backstage hero: the C-2 Greyhound--one of the strongest most dependable transport Greyhounds of all time. This lifeline for the U.S. Navy provides critical logistics support transporting high-priority cargo such as critical aircraft parts, passengers, and even the mail. But, it takes a very skilled pilot to land this massive plane on busy, rolling flight decks. Discover the training that goes into becoming such a pilot as we follow four students pushing themselves to the limit to join this elite group.

Russia's mighty Volga-Dnepr Ilyushin-76 is built military-tough to deliver heavy-duty cargo around the world, but her maiden voyage into the Arctic Circle proves to be a challenge. To support summer shipping operations, follow the IL-76's attempt to airlift a multimillion-dollar fleet of trucks and trailers to the Baffinland Iron Mines in a remote part of Nunavut, Canada. It's a mission no other plane can pull off, and the Arctic will throw everything it has at the Ilyushin, from blinding polar storms to icy runways.

The German Air Force is overhauling their entire fleet of outdated cargo planes and replacing them with Airbus' latest, the A400M, which hauls massive loads. The Luftwaffe's A400M Atlas is able to move massive cargo, provide medical support, and bring the fight to the enemy. Enter its manufacturing facility in Seville, Spain to get an inside look at how this state-of-the-art aircraft is built for action. Whether transporting a three-ton tactical helicopter, whisking away paratroopers on a dangerous training mission in the German countryside, or delivering live cargo to Italy, the A400M is the future of military transport.

Take flight on the Twin Otter, the Canadian legend that can take off and land in spots few other planes could. It's found around the world in jungles, deserts, mountains, the Arctic, and anywhere rugged reliability and short-take-off-and-landing are needed. Canada's northwest territories are rich in gold and diamonds, but running a mining operation in extreme Arctic conditions with very few roads can be tremendously challenging. Enter the Twin Otter, the rugged aircraft of choice in remote Canadian communities. Powered by two turboprop engines, the Twin Otter maneuvers like a bird and is capable of landing just about anywhere--on land, sea, and snow. Follow this mighty plane as she handles icy skies and frozen-lake runways on a series of critical missions.