"Mighty Planes"Soars For Season Three

Returning to the Smithsonian Channel for its third season is "Mighty Planes." The six-episode series continues its exploration of some of the most extraordinary planes in the sky and the people who fly them on dangerous missions---the pilots, engineers, avionics specialists, load masters and ground operators behind these massive birds. The season premieres on Sunday, November 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

The CP-140 Aurora, Canada's "James Bond 007" spy plane

In the premiere episode, "Mighty Planes" goes inside the CP-140 Aurora, Canada's "James Bond 007" spy plane. With its updated technology and spy toys, the CP-140 has to work in tandem with two Sea King helicopters to track and destroy a hidden submarine, but the crew runs into unexpected challenges.

Here's the lineup for the rest of the season, as the pilots and flight crews and the teams behind the scenes prepare for and run their thrilling missions: NATO airmen endure a rigorous 9-week training program in the T-38 Talon, a two-seat, twin-engine jet trainer nicknamed "the White Rocket" for its ability to climb 30,000 fpm, with a top speed of 820 mph; Follow the crew of a CC-115 Buffalo turboprop, the Canadian Air Force's go-to aircraft for carrying out S&Rs; Fly the latest mission on the legendary Supper Guppy, NASA's massive cargo hauler, which played a huge role in landing the first man on the moon; The Nolinor 747, the "Workhorse of the North," flies to the coldest mine in the world, battling deadly weather to deliver essentials to the miners; and in the season finale, The Best of "Mighty Planes" explores the most impressive aircraft in the world of aviation.

"Mighty Planes" is produced by Discovery and Exploration Production Inc. Smithsonian Channel is a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution. Learn more at www.smithsonianchannel.com.