Ice Airport?

[mcdude]

Originally Posted by Steve Di.

Are they still planning on holding a winterfest in Alton Bay this year? I have enjoyed coming up to visit the Winterfest and watch the activity at the Alton Bay Airport.

From the Baysider 1/29/09

ALTON

— The Alton Business Association (ABA), in association with the Parks and Recreation Department, has lined up a full slate of activities designed to beat back the winter blues during next month’s Winter arnival, scheduled for Sunday,Feb. 15. The day’s festivities will begin at 8 a.m., ith a pancake breakfast at the Alton Bay Community Center. Tickets for the breakfast are available in advance ($5 per person, children under two years of age free) by calling 875-6161 or 630-3675. Breakfast will be followed by sled demos, beginning at 10 a.m. and running until 3 p.m.; a 50/50 raffle from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (tickets $1 each or six for $5); and a bob-house decorating contest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Helicopter rides ($30 per person) will begin at 11 a.m., along with sleigh rides ($5 per person, $15 for a family of four, or $20 for a family of five or more); a snowshoe obstacle course contest; and appearances by the Penguin and the Ice Princess. Ventriloquist Donna Marie will provide visitors with warmth and laughter during a special show at her Puppet Patter Plus boutique, llocated in the Shoppes on the Bay building, at 11:30 a.m. The afternoon will bring a tug-of-war contest at 12:30 p.m., followed by town-sponsored ice bowling and DJ music and a second 50/50 raffle at 1 p.m.; a town-sponsored scavenger hunt at 1:30 p.m.; and a “Crazy Hat” contest at

2 p.m. The carnival will culminate in the Great Alton Bay Bed Race at 3 p.m., preceded by the parade of racers at 2:45, with the awards ceremony following at 4 p.m. at the bandstand. Hot chili, french fries, hot dogs and hamburgers will be served throughout the day, along with both warm and cold drinks. Please note that all events and times are subject to change. Swing by the ABA tent the day of the carnival to register for events, purchase raffle tickets, and sign event waivers.

[Collybus]

Adding on the dbahn's post:

There are several pilots and planes that are planning on flying in this Sunday morning. For me, this will be my first time visiting and operating on an ice runway, and I'm glad for the opportunity. Many thanks to Paul, Roger, Steve and Andrews Marine!

[TexASH Pilot]

Many thanks to everyone that had a hand in getting Alton Bay open this year.

I've flown into the ice runway at Alton Bay a few times, and it's always the highlight of an otherwise dreary Wintery flying season. It's really a unique experience and one of my favorite destinations in New England.

This Sunday, a group of very excited pilots will be visiting B18, some for the first time. We'd discussed the possibility of a fly-in event at B18 earlier in the year and were very disappointed to hear the news that Ossipee Valley Aviation had gone out of business and it looked like the ice runway was a thing of the past.

Again... thank you for opening the Alton Bay ice runway!! Your efforts are very much appreciated!

[Moss Creek Media]

When are you guys planning on flying in on sunday? I've been wanting to take some photos of the planes landing and taking off on the ice.

Will you be on skis or wheels?

Kirk

[dbahn]

I think the target time is 10:30 and the list of planes from our group seems to be up to about 6 or 7 so far, all on wheels except for maybe one on skis.

[RI Swamp Yankee]

I have only watched the "Airport" in operation once but it is quite a sight to see. I wish I could be there to see it this year.

[riverat]

If any of you want a hot beverage, stop by the tan bobhouse closest to the plane parking area. I'll have a pot of hot water going.

[Collybus]

Originally Posted by Moss Creek Media

When are you guys planning on flying in on sunday? I've been wanting to take some photos of the planes landing and taking off on the ice.

Will you be on skis or wheels?

Kirk

I'll be coming in in little red and white plane....if you make my landing look good on video, I'll buy a copy!

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by TexASH Pilot

Many thanks to everyone that had a hand in getting Alton Bay open this year.

If you do fly in, Brian at the corner store in Alton Bay can fill you in as to who was involved in getting the ice airport open this year.

[TexASH Pilot]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

If you do fly in, Brian at the corner store in Alton Bay can fill you in as to who was involved in getting the ice airport open this year.

Great... thanks for that! I'll be sure and stop in.

[dbahn]

Does anyone know if there is autogas (non alcohol added) available within walking distance of the airport? I can use that in the Cub, although I can also just fly over to Laconia as well.

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by dbahn

Does anyone know if there is autogas (non alcohol added) available within walking distance of the airport? I can use that in the Cub, although I can also just fly over to Laconia as well.

No, the Alton Village Store (about 1 mile walk) recently had to go over to 10% methanol.

[dbahn]

Thanks. It'll probably be easier to fly to Laconia than walk a mile with a 5 gallon can anyway.

[Steveo]

Originally Posted by dbahn

Thanks. It'll probably be easier to fly to Laconia than walk a mile with a 5 gallon can anyway.

I wasn't aware of any station that can still serve non ethanol gas. Are you saying the Laconia airport still does.

[dbahn]

I would get aviation fuel (100 LL, i.e. 100 octane Low Lead) at the Laconia airport, which works fine but is a little more expensive. The Cub is certified to also run on auto fuel, but the ethanol causes some problems with some of the fuel components in the system, so it's best to avoid it.

[TexASH Pilot]

Originally Posted by Steveo

I wasn't aware of any station that can still serve non ethanol gas. Are you saying the Laconia airport still does.

There are three airports that I know of that sill serve 87 Octane unleaded auto gas with no ethanol.

Hampton, NH (7B3)
Minuteman/Stow, MA (6B6)
Plymouth, MA (PYM)

[This'nThat]

If you build it -- they will come. Sunday morning, 1 Feb. As of 11:30, 12 airplanes parked at the airport.

[Moss Creek Media]

Here are the panoramics I shot this morning out on the ice:

http://www.mosscreekmedia.com/post/F...Alton-Bay.aspx

Kirk

[TexASH Pilot]

I just got back from the fly-in... nice to see pictures of our airplanes! I love the panoramic... that's awesome!

We had a great breakfast at the diner... that place really does do breakfast right!

We also stopped into the store, chatted with the folks (including Brian) a bit and dropped some cash into the "airport maintenance" bucket. If anyone else flies in, PLEASE support the plow drivers!

Again... we're very thankful the airport is open and appreciative of the efforts of all to open the runway this year.

This n That hit the nail on the head... if you build it, we will come!

We're looking forward to coming back over President's Day weekend for the festival, weather permitting.

Here's a video of my flight in case anyone's interested in seeing what it's like to fly in and out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoTx0TrFADk

[TexASH Pilot]

The cub seemed to be the big attraction. It's a beautiful airplane.

Here's the owner, Dave (dbahn) starting it up:

[This'nThat]

Originally Posted by TexASH Pilot

Here's a video of my flight in case anyone's interested in seeing what it's like to fly in and out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoTx0TrFADk

Cool video. And don't forget -- don't do this.

[tis]

Wow. But he managed to pull out of it. I'd say he did ok! Must have been kind of scary for a while.

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by TexASH Pilot

I just got back from the fly-in... nice to see pictures of our airplanes! I love the panoramic... that's awesome!

We had a great breakfast at the diner... that place really does do breakfast right!

We also stopped into the store, chatted with the folks (including Brian) a bit and dropped some cash into the "airport maintenance" bucket. If anyone else flies in, PLEASE support the plow drivers!

Again... we're very thankful the airport is open and appreciative of the efforts of all to open the runway this year.


This n That hit the nail on the head... if you build it, we will come!

We're looking forward to coming back over President's Day weekend for the festival, weather permitting.

Here's a video of my flight in case anyone's interested in seeing what it's like to fly in and out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoTx0TrFADk

I hope you were able to give them some feedback on what can be done to improve the airport next year...You can appreciate what they did this year: fly by the seat of their pants. Any constructive criticism you pilots can give would I am sure, be appreciated, and I would be happy to print out the thread for Brian and the plow guys. They are really proud of what they have accomplished, and appreciate you guys flying in.

Dave

OOOOOPS: I forgot to say what a great video that is. Thanks.

[TexASH Pilot]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

I hope you were able to give them some feedback on what can be done to improve the airport next year...You can appreciate what they did this year: fly by the seat of their pants. Any constructive criticism you pilots can give would I am sure, be appreciated, and I would be happy to print out the thread for Brian and the plow guys. They are really proud of what they have accomplished, and appreciate you guys flying in.

Dave

OOOOOPS: I forgot to say what a great video that is. Thanks.

Hey Dave,

Thanks for the offer! Glad you liked the video too.

The runway is in GREAT shape. I think they did a great job. It's straight, nice and wide. There's enough snow left on the ice to allow for a small amount of braking action. The only thing I can think of that they could do better is maybe prepare a little more space for parking. On a busy weekend like the 15th could be... they're going to need all the space they can get. That's going to be tough to do this year... the snow they plowed to the edges is now rock hard... nothing's moving that stuff.

Would you mind sending me a mailing address for Brian? We dropped some $$ in the can at the store, but I've already had one pilot who didn't join us today ask where they could send those guys some money for their time and effort. You can send it via PM here or via email to [email protected].

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by TexASH Pilot

Hey Dave,

Thanks for the offer! Glad you liked the video too.

Would you mind sending me a mailing address for Brian? We dropped some $$ in the can at the store, but I've already had one pilot who didn't join us today ask where they could send those guys some money for their time and effort. You can send it via PM here or via email to [email protected].

I sent you an email. Again, thanks to you and to dbahn for you fine support of the ice runway. Your suggestions will just make it better and better for this season and subsequent years as well.

Dave

[Moss Creek Media]

Anyone know what was up with the flat tire on the green Cessna that was to the left of the J3 (in my panoramic)?

Kirk

[Steveo]

Originally Posted by TexASH Pilot

I just got back from the fly-in... nice to see pictures of our airplanes! I love the panoramic... that's awesome!

We had a great breakfast at the diner... that place really does do breakfast right!

We also stopped into the store, chatted with the folks (including Brian) a bit and dropped some cash into the "airport maintenance" bucket. If anyone else flies in, PLEASE support the plow drivers!

Again... we're very thankful the airport is open and appreciative of the efforts of all to open the runway this year.

This n That hit the nail on the head... if you build it, we will come!

We're looking forward to coming back over President's Day weekend for the festival, weather permitting.

Here's a video of my flight in case anyone's interested in seeing what it's like to fly in and out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoTx0TrFADk

Nice video. I am curious, you landed (heading south) in the opposite direction of your takeoff (heading north). Did the winds shift, is wind direction not an issue?

[dbahn]

The wind did shift after most of us landed. I think if there was no wind at all, most people would prefer to land to the south and depart to the north. That way you are able to avoid a lot of extra taxiing, and you also avoid flying low over the town itself. The only downside is that in that situation you have planes flying towards each other if it's busy. That's perfectly legal, but best to avoid.

I would agree with Andy about the need for more parking, which is a good measure of the success of the venture as well, by the way. It was fine yesterday, but I can see some real congestion if you get good weather in 2 weeks.

As a pilot who's flown in twice, I can tell you that the fun is less the process of landing on ice and more that it's just a nice town with nice people. The nice little diner helps too.

[Blue Thunder]

Sounds like you guys had a great time. If you have any interest there will be a Fly-in on Sebago Lake in Maine, the weekend of the Sebago Lake Fishing Derby which is February 20-22.

The posted guidance is here: http://www.icefishingderby.com/2009_Fly-in_Guidance.pdf

The main website for the derby is here: www.icefishingderby.com

Blue Thunder

[Slickcraft]

When I stopped at the corner store this morning, Brian the storekeep was talking to a pilot from Hampstead, NH who had just flown in with a student pilot making his 1st ice landing. Coincidentally my wife and I were in the ice on Saturday when the same pilot flew in with another student making an ice landing. I can imagine that an ice landing must be quite an experience for a student.

Brian was explaining how much coordination was required to get the runway open this year. And then there are the several folk with snowplows that created the actual runway, taxi run and parking; quite a bit of plowing.

As has been noted there is an airport maintenance bucket for contributions to pay for the gas used by the plow truck guys. So if you fly in, visit the store, consider the diner or the other near by eateries and fly home safe.