Ice Airport 2014

[Brad Z]

Originally Posted by Scott's Yott

I am curious as to why the ice runway is created, and what does it do for Alton Bay. Does it attract planes from near and far? or is it just a neat novelty?

I hope to fly up from Virginia and spend the weekend. Landing on a frozen lake is an experience we don't get to enjoy down this way. I've been hearing tales of Alton Bay Ice Runway for years from NE flyers and simply must check it out for myself.

Brad

[RLW]

Brad Z, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends.

Great!!!! We will be looking for ya and I'm sure you will enjoy the comrade here in the Bay

[rscalzo]

Flew up there today with a friend who mentioned it. I never knew it was an actual runway. years ago ice diving we saw a plane land but I thought they were just trying it for the fun of it.

Im was surprised at the spots with open water this late.

[RLW]

rscalzo, I just noticed that you are fairly new to posting on the forum and glad you have joined us. Have fun and enjoy the Winni Forum while making many new friends.

Thanks for coming into the forum. Hope that you come up for the fly in as we would love to see you and it is a good chance to meet many of your counter parts with wings on their chests.

[NoBozo]

There used to be a NICE WebCam overlooking the lower end of Alton Bay. You could PAN the camera. What happened to that... NB

PS: The "Mount Cam": Has been OUT for Five weeks. Whats up with that.....Just wonderin...NB

[RLW]

It has gone down the tubes as has the business that had it. The real state company is seeing some hard times and many of the sales people have left and gone to Wolfeboro and they said upon leaving many months ago that the system was down and most likely would be the very last thing that got repaired and/or continued to operate at all.

[thistleb]

Topic has me thinking of something very stupid that I did as a kid. Been coming to to Alton since 1976 when my grandparents built the house I have recently been so fortunate to buy. In the late 80's I was up for New Years with friends and we thought it would be fun to drive out on the ice. At that time I guess I didn't know about the run way, which was strange, but I ended up with my dads truck on its side in the middle of the run way! You can imagine my mindset as me and my buddies are trying to roll the truck back on its wheels when a guy yells from an ice house , "do you know you are on a runway"!! We got the truck up and out of there quick!! Thank god there was no cell phone cameras and you tube back then.

[Slickcraft]

Nice to see it open. Looks like good conditions.

[upthesaukee]

Paul has plowed out a taxiway on the east side of the runway. Runway itself is a little rough in spots from use of the area when it was soft from rain and warm weather, but not real bad. Also, a few ice holes were drilled, but they seemed to freeze over ok.

It is great to see it open, and hopefully the weather will cooperate through President's Day weekend. Fingers are crossed here.

[joann721]

My Dad is in his 90's and he loves coming up to see the planes. Are there specific weeks that it is open, I know it depends on ice conditions, but now that it is open does it stay open or is it only open at specific times.

We want to drive him up for the day to see it again so we want to make sure we come at the right time..

[upthesaukee]

Right now the ice is just that: ice. It would be very slippery to try to walk on, unless you have grippers that go on over your shoes (boots).

With that being said, the runway is open daylight hours. You can park in the parking lot by Shibley's at the pier and the bandstand, and if you are lucky, get a spot on the water side of the parking lot.

Warm temps that soften the ice, rain, wet snow, etc can all create a problem where they may find the need to close the runway, either for a short term, or for the rest of the season.

Looking at the long range forecast, tomorrow is forecasted to be around 30 for a high, with scattered snow showers. May not be a great day to see planes. Sunday is supposed to be windy, with the forecasted winds from the west southwest at around 20 MPH. This would make for almost a direct crosswind, and again, may not be conducive to good landing conditions at the airport. Long range ends up being pretty nice through next Sunday. Of course, this being New England, it is all subject to change.

[riverat]

Originally Posted by joann721

My Dad is in his 90's and he loves coming up to see the planes. Are there specific weeks that it is open, I know it depends on ice conditions, but now that it is open does it stay open or is it only open at specific times.

We want to drive him up for the day to see it again so we want to make sure we come at the right time..

Feb 16th is the Alton Winter Carnival and there is also a fly-in on the same day and normally lots of planes and helicopters. see this link - http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ad.php?t=16983

[webmaster]

Buckle up:

[Slickcraft]

Umm Rochester, New Hampshire? The pilot was lucky to find the lake.

[Tank151]

Has a plane ever gone through the ice and into the lake?

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by Tank151

Has a plane ever gone through the ice and into the lake?

they will not open the runway until they have 12 inches of ice, enough to support larger pickup trucks to plow. That should be plenty for small single engine planes.

Can anybody advise of what weight and type restrictions apply to aircraft using the ice runway?

I believe I have seen a small twin engine, like a Cessna 310. Common sense would dictate not to go with much bigger. Of major concern is the length of the runway, approx. 3000 ft in length. As noted in Slickcraft's item showing the Notice to Airman (NOTAM), it shows the runway to have a light coating of snow on the runway, braking action (BA) poor. Larger airplanes may not have enough runway to stop.

thanks Slickcraft for the NOTAM>

[8gv]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

they will not open the runway until they have 12 inches of ice, enough to support larger pickup trucks to plow. That should be plenty for small single engine planes.

Can anybody advise of what weight and type restrictions apply to aircraft using the ice runway?

I believe I have seen a small twin engine, like a Cessna 310. Common sense would dictate not to go with much bigger. Of major concern is the length of the runway, approx. 3000 ft in length. As noted in Slickcraft's item showing the Notice to Airman (NOTAM), it shows the runway to have a light coating of snow on the runway, braking action (BA) poor. Larger airplanes may not have enough runway to stop.

thanks Slickcraft for the NOTAM>

An aircraft with beta mode can stop in a very short distance. Down at 7B9 (Ellington CT) there's a mighty big jump plane with beta that turns off in about 1000'. The runway there is 1800'.

[mikea]

Can anybody advise of what weight and type restrictions apply to aircraft using the ice runway?

TIA...

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by mikea

Can anybody advise of what weight and type restrictions apply to aircraft using the ice runway?

TIA...

NOTAMS: https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/PilotWeb/
The location is KB18 Alton Bay and the NOTAM has the airport manager's phone number.

Locations:
Sort By: Keyword Sort:
KB18
Data Current as of: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 16:38:00 UTC
KB18 ALTON BAY
[Back to Top]
!BGR 01/242 B18 RWY 1/19 FICON PATCHY THIN DRY SN OVER ICE BA POOR FOR UPDATES CALL 603-875-3498 OBSERVED AT 1401192200. 1401192225-1401202222EST

[Legionnaire70]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

Umm Rochester, New Hampshire? The pilot was lucky to find the lake.

No, but I have seen 2 separate accidents. Both planes had to be dismantled and taken away on a flatbed.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by webmaster

Buckle up:

That was an exceptionally good landing...thanks for posting.

[riverat]

Originally Posted by webmaster

Buckle up:

Don when was that taken? Hopefully not today I hope, because if so my bobhouses are gone.

[NoBozo]

Once you click on the Webmasters link..and watch it you will get Many You Tube videos of the Alton Ice Runway....from years past. NB

There have been crashes in the past which have required the planes to be dis-mantled and carted away on trucks. The last one i remember was a "Prop Strike" which will require an engine overhaul. Back in 1988 an engine overhaul for a 160HP Cessna 172 was about $15,000.

I wonder what insurence company's think of Ice Landings. NB (Licensed Private Pilot since 1988)

ADD: When you have a Prop Strike, there is a significant possibility that internal damage will occur to the engine requiring Mandatory overhaul...just to be safe. The FAA is adament in this situation..

[Legionnaire70]

February 2010, this plane was taking off and a gust of wind blew it off the runway. All the prop blades wrapped around the cowl. After speaking to the pilot he told me this was his 3rd airplane mishap...

[HellRaZoR004]

Originally Posted by Legionnaire70

February 2010, this plane was taking off and a gust of wind blew it off the runway. All the prop blades wrapped around the cowl. After speaking to the pilot he told me this was his 3rd airplane mishap...

3rd!...I wonder when the insurance companies going to drop him...

[NoBozo]

Here's the problem with ICE landings.

On a paved runway, If you have a Cross Wind..you can "Crab" the approach...ie: You are floating in with the plane cocked sideways to compensate for the crosswind...up to a point.. No problem... .

Just before touchdown....you then straighten the plane out ..with the rudder..touch down...and depend on Lateral (sideways) Traction...to keep the plane ON the runway.

ON ICE...NO Lateral Traction. You quite likely slide off the runway....Bang Ding Ow... NB

PS: Today's planes have Steerable nose wheels.. or tail wheels in some cases for ground ops. Differential brakes are also used. ON ICE..Brakes are pretty much useless...

[Broken Glass]

Originally Posted by Legionnaire70

February 2010, this plane was taking off and a gust of wind blew it off the runway. All the prop blades wrapped around the cowl. After speaking to the pilot he told me this was his 3rd airplane mishap...

About ten years ago, I took my daughter to LWM one snowy Christmas eve so we could shovel out my Cherokee 180 and take a late day flight. While shoveling, we were approached by a gentleman who asked me how I liked my Cherokee. He proceeded to tell us that he had a Piper Dakota, and it was the third similar aircraft (PA-28) he has owned (I think he said his first one was a 140 Cherokee, and then a 150 Warrior) Anyway he told us how he had crashed his first plane into a hill while trying to land at Laconia. He had others on board and they all walked away. The second time he crashed, was into the chimney of his own house during takeoff from a private airstrip. Again he had others on board, and they all walked away. He said forgot to deploy his flaps before takeoff. So in his opinion the PA-28 aircraft was a real rugged airplane. After he walked away, my daughter said to me "dad, is that guy a crash dummy or something?" To this day whenever I see a PA-28 I think of that very lucky gentleman on that snowy ramp. I wonder if that is his Dakota with the collapsed nose gear and an appointment for a total engine overhaul?
Happy flying !!

[upthesaukee]

WMUR is advertising a segment of Monday's Chronicle dealing with landing on Alton's ice runway.

http://www.wmur.com/new-hampshire-ch...unway/24580804

Looking forward to it. Hope I am home from the boat show in time to see it.

[Brad Z]

Originally Posted by Brad Z

I hope to fly up from Virginia and spend the weekend. Landing on a frozen lake is an experience we don't get to enjoy down this way. I've been hearing tales of Alton Bay Ice Runway for years from NE flyers and simply must check it out for myself.

Brad

After a three hour flight, I finally made it up on Saturday. What a great time I had! Everyone was so friendly. I never felt so welcomed to pop in somewhere on a Saturday afternoon. Lunch at Shibley's was very good too.

Here's my obligatory video:


http://youtube.com/watch?v=RMKuUb3lO0k

And a better quality video from a guy who landed literally right after me...


http://youtu.be/_OPuM7Q2M4M

Now I'm really wanting to get a hold of some floats so I can come back up in the summer. Alton Bay is a neat little spot.

Brad N182V

[upthesaukee]

In the shorter video, when you rolled out on downwind, you were just about over my house, just a little south of it.

Nice videos.

[Rusty]

When they finally got parked the pilot said: "Don't worry Dude we're not the usual".

I wonder what he meant by that? Are there some unusual planes that fly into Alton Bay?

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by Rusty

When they finally got parked the pilot said: "Don't worry Dude we're not the usual".

I wonder what he meant by that? Are there some unusual planes that fly into Alton Bay?

IF that Cirrus Aircraft that he's flying is an SR22, it's valued at quite a bit more than the average plane landing at Alton..@ $765,000. NB

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirrus_SR22

PS: Actually I think it might be an SR20 @ only $320,000.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

IF that Cirrus Aircraft that he's flying is an SR22, it's valued at quite a bit more than the average plane landing at Alton..@ $765,000. NB

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirrus_SR22

The plane is more valuable so they aren't the usual cheap plane that lands there. Nice.

Just before they parked their plane this is what the conversation was about between (I assume) the pilot and passenger:

Pilot: “You F**king smoking crack”

Passanger: “There going to push us around”

Pilot: “I get F**king tired of that”

Pilot: “Don't worry Dude we're not the usual”

[upthesaukee]

No injuries, 3 persons on board. no other info at this time.

[Steveo]

IF that Cirrus Aircraft that he's flying is an SR22, it's valued at quite a bit more than the average plane landing at Alton..@ $765,000. NB




This one crashed in Burlington, MA. Had and deployed on board parachute:

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion..._in_burlington

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by Brad Z

Now I'm really wanting to get a hold of some floats so I can come back up in the summer. Alton Bay is a neat little spot.

Brad N182V

Hi Brad: Great Video: I'm guessing that Floats are not an option for the Cirrus.....but I'll bet they would work on say..a Cessna 182..... NB

[Lakeboater]

MUR just had tease for the story coming up on 6 pm news

[Cindido]

Hi Brad -

Excellent video! Nice meeting you and your furry friend (Baxter?) on Saturday. My husband and I have some great photos of you two (if the ones I took on your iPhone are insufficient). If you'd like them PM us with your email and we'll forward them. Glad you enjoyed your visit to Alton Bay !!

[upthesaukee]

It said he was landing. I would guess he was landing on rwy 19, heading toward Gillan's, and from the skid marks at the end of the runway, looks like he skidded off the end of the runway into the snow bank.

A Cirrus' wings cannot be easily removed, so it will be interesting to see how they remove it and transport it.

Glad no one was hurt.

[NoBozo]

Apparently the Cirrus Aircraft Corporation is one of the best selling general aviation aircraft in the world in recent years. Started in America....and now owned by the "Government Of The Peoples Republic of China" NB


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirrus_Aircraft

[RailroadJoe]

Isn't that just ducky?

[SunsetPointWentworth]

Not to be a smartass. (OK, it is to be a smartass) But, at the very end of the second video of the planes landing and taking off. It's not "Yee haw Chesters dead". His call sign was Jester.

[NoBozo]

Google WMUR News/Plane Crash for a video report of the Cirrus SR-22 crash at Alton. I tried linking to the report but it was not successful. NB

Try Again: http://www.wmur.com/news/plane-crash...n-bay/24910512

[upthesaukee]

We passed the experimental aircraft being hauled away on a flatbed truck. Then we went by the end of the bay and saw the Cirrus had been removed from the snowbank at the end of the runway. It is now parked in the parking area of the airport. So the runway should be open now, and that's a good thing. In fact, we just heard a plane, sounding like it had just taken off.

Second good thing is the planes have been removed before the bad weather comes in Wednesday into Thursday, and that is a second good thing. Would hate to try to move the airplanes after 6-14 inches or whatever amount we are getting.

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

We passed the experimental aircraft being hauled away on a flatbed truck. Then we went by the end of the bay and saw the Cirrus had been removed from the snowbank at the end of the runway. It is now parked in the parking area of the airport. So the runway should be open now, and that's a good thing. In fact, we just heard a plane, sounding like it had just taken off.

Second good thing is the planes have been removed before the bad weather comes in Wednesday into Thursday, and that is a second good thing. Would hate to try to move the airplanes after 6-14 inches or whatever amount we are getting.

Are you suggesting that the Cirrus wasn't damaged, and has now flown away..? If true that is Great News. I wonder if the FAA NTSB ever showed up to have a look. I'm going to guess that if there was no damage affecting airworthiness, there would be "No Incident." NB

[upthesaukee]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

Are you suggesting that the Cirrus wasn't damaged, and has now flown away..? If true that is Great News. I wonder if the FAA NTSB ever showed up to have a look. I'm going to guess that if there was no damage affecting airworthiness, there would be "No Incident." NB

the plane was removed from the snow bank at the approach end of runway 01 and moved over into the parking area. With the other plane also removed, there should be no reason to keep the runway (which was not damaged in either accident) closed.

And then as I was typing, I heard a plane take off. I am pretty sure it is not the Cirrus. I'm sure it will have to be inspected to make sure there is no problem, having skidded sideways into the snow bank. Only saying that the runway appears to be open.

[Slickcraft]

The NOTAM still shows as closed but that may change.


!BGR 03/047 B18 RWY 1/19 CLSD 1403102201-1403152359EST