SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL(TM) RETURNS TO THE SKIES FOR SEASON THREE OF "MIGHTY PLANES" PREMIERING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 AT 8 P.M. ET/PT

NEW YORK, OCTOBER 13, 2016 - Season three of the popular Smithsonian Channel series MIGHTY PLANES soars to new heights with some of the world's most incredible aircraft. From one of the most legendary spy planes to NASA's cargo-hauling giant, there is no shortage of extraordinary planes carrying out massive undertakings. MIGHTY PLANES tells the stories of the pilots, engineers, avionics specialists, load masters and ground operators behind the machines, and of course, the airplanes that bring it all home. The six-episode season premieres Sunday, November 6 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Each episode explores the dangerous missions of a different jaw-dropping airplane. The season premiere, MIGHTY PLANES: CP-140 AURORA follows a challenging mission of what's known as 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 flight crew runs into unforeseen challenges along the way.

The subsequent episodes of MIGHTY PLANES include:

MIGHTY PLANES: T-38 TALON Premieres Sunday, November 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT Nicknamed "the White Rocket" and able to climb 30,000 feet per minute with a top speed of 820 mph, the T-38 jet is not for the faint of heart. Three NATO airmen will push themselves and this supersonic jet to its limits during a nine-week training program. Only those who can master this two-seater, twin-engine jet trainer can become part of the world's elite club of fighter jet pilots.

MIGHTY PLANES: CC-115 BUFFALO Premieres Sunday, November 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT Not all heroes wear capes, but some do have wings. Carrying highly trained search and rescue technicians, the CC-115 Buffalo is the Canadian Air Force's go-to aircraft for search and rescue. This turboprop is equipped to face dire weather conditions to save anyone and anything, responding to over 200 emergency calls each year. Follow the Buffalo and her crew as they search for a missing aircraft and a sinking boat.

MIGHTY PLANES: SUPER GUPPY Premieres Sunday, November 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT Have you ever come across a legend? NASA's massive cargo hauler, the Super Guppy, gave NASA its competitive edge during the Space Race and played a huge part in landing the first man on the moon. Years later, the Guppy is still playing a monumental role by flying NASA's bulkiest and most cutting-edge aerospace components around the United States. Watch as fog, mechanical issues, a broken window, and a series of other unfortunate challenges threaten the Super Guppy's latest mission.

MIGHTY PLANES: NOLINOR 737 Premieres Sunday, December 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT Flying to the coldest mine in the world takes a true warrior. It requires braving conditions that can turn deadly within seconds. Called the "Workhorse of the North," Nolinor Aviation's 737-200C not only does short-haul flights throughout North America and Europe, but she also delivers essential food, cargo, and workers to the Meadowbank gold mine in northern Canada. In this episode, terrible weather wreaks havoc and jeopardizes the plane, the flight crew, and the essentials needed at the gold mine.

MIGHTY PLANES: THE BEST OF MIGHTY PLANES Premieres Sunday, December 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT Fasten your seatbelts for this special episode, where MIGHTY PLANES celebrates the best of the series. Focusing on the Gamechangers, the Supersonics, the Lifesavers, the Heavy Lifters, the Frontier-Busters, and the All Around Hero, this episode brings out the most impressive performers in the aviation world.

MIGHTY PLANES is produced by Discovery and Exploration Production Inc. for Smithsonian Channel. Executive producers for Smithsonian Channel are David Royle and Charles Poe.

Smithsonian Channel(TM), owned by Smithsonian Networks(TM), a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where curiosity lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME(R) with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create award-winning programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, history, science, nature, and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, Million Dollar American Princesses, The Weapon Hunter, Mighty Ships, Mighty Planes and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include Civil War 360, 9/11: The Heartland Tapes; MLK: The Assassination Tapes and The Day Kennedy Died. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Earth(TM), through SN Digital LLC., a new subscription video streaming service delivering spectacular original nature and wildlife content. To learn more, go to www.smithsonianchannel.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.