Joe lives mostly out of the public eye, though he occasionally surfaces in local Yellowknife news or in updates from aviation enthusiasts. Buffalo Airways still operates, but the iconic "Buffalo Joe" is no longer in the cockpit.
While Joe was in the public eye, his general manager, Mark Owens , was systematically stealing from Polar Enterprises. Owens wrote fake checks to himself, forged Joe’s signature, and embezzled over $366,000 . Joe was oblivious because he was often away filming Ice Road Truckers . what happened to joe mcbryan
Today, is the face and operational head of Buffalo Airways. He runs the day-to-day operations, manages the fleet, and has taken the airline in a more modern direction—including a major pivot into firefighting and cargo services. Julie McBryan remains involved in the administrative side. Joe lives mostly out of the public eye,
| | Answer | | :--- | :--- | | Did Joe McBryan die from COVID? | No. He was critically ill but survived. | | When was he hospitalized? | December 2020. | | Was he on a ventilator? | Yes, for several weeks. | | Can he still fly? | No, he no longer holds a commercial pilot medical certificate. | | Is Buffalo Airways still operating? | Yes, run by his son Mikey McBryan. | | Where is Joe McBryan now? | Living in Yellowknife, NWT, overseeing his company. | Owens wrote fake checks to himself, forged Joe’s
In late 2025, Joe underwent comprehensive medical testing at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona to maintain his pilot's license, which is a rigorous requirement for pilots over the age of 70.
