Alton Ice Airport

[shoppes on the bay]

[USMC-SGT]

Im looking to head up there tomorrow a little before noon and didnt know if anyone had a runway report.

I called the machine and heard "slick" but was looking for a pirep.

Any activity out there today and is it glare ice or is there patchy thin snow?

Thanks folks!

[Iceguy]

Yes! We had aprox. 25 planes come in today and 2 helicopters. The runway is glare ice no snow .But all was well.Tomorrow looks like nice weather temps. about 25. wind about 10-15 m.p.h. wnw. See you on the ice. Paul, runway manager.

[USMC-SGT]

Thanks for the great report Paul.

You guys do a tremendous service to GA out there between all the hard work and the updates. I use the answering machine regularly to check the status and enjoy the presence of those "working" the ramp when it comes time to park.

I will likely stop by tomorrow sometime around 10:30 or so.

Thanks again.

[RLW]

By the looks of the Bay something must be happening like the Super Bowl

[dbahn]

Say, is there a bed race at the Winter Carnival this year?

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by dbahn

Say, is there a bed race at the Winter Carnival this year?

Yes, this from the Alton web site:

2/14/2010 - Parks & Recreation - Winter Carnival:

Join in the fun at the Alton Bay Winter Carnival.
The Alton Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the following free events for all ages:
1:00pm-3:00pm- DJ Music at the Bandstand;
1:30pm- Family Scavenger Hunt- prizes awarded;
3:00pm- Parade of Beds;
Followed by the Great Alton Bay Bed Race- Sponosred by Meredith Village Savings Bank, Prizes Awarded. All pre-registered teams receive a prize.

Rotary Fishing Derby- 10am- Land Bandstand Parking Lot.

The Alton Business Association is sponsoring a fun filled day of activities from 8:00am-4:00pm. Events include: Pancake Breakfast- 8am-10am; Bob House Decorating Contest- 8am-12:30pm; D.J. Music; Snow Mobile Demos- 10am-3pm; Silent Auction- 10am-2pm; Helicopter Rides- 10am-4pm, $30pp; Sleigh Rides- 11am-4pm, $5, family rates available; Family Games-Tug-of War, Wheelbarrow Races, Snow Sculpture and more-11am-3pm;Ice Princess- 11am-2pm; Dog Sled Rides- 1pm-3pm (conditions permitting); 3:15pm- 50/50 raffle drawing.

The Alton Bay ice airport will be open, please stay off the active runway and use caution on the ice, it is slippery. Ice walkers and dressing in warm layers is recommended.

[Pineedles]

Originally Posted by RLW

By the looks of the Bay something must be happening like the Super Bowl

Yes it must be the super bowl! Did you all see The Who at half time? It was awesome! Oh and the Colts are winning.

[dbahn]

Thanks, I'll pass the bed race information along.

Any old beds around that could work as an entry? A bunch of us are flying in and won't be able to bring a bed with us, but might be interested in pushing one.

[Slickcraft]

A while ago DRH was looking for someone to take over a bed from past years. Some talk here:
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...highlight=race

[Iceguy]

Hi Everyone,
It's that time of year again, and we hope we have a good day for the Winter Carnival on Feb 14th. I see that the event is posted, however, I do have a concern. Please don't post that the airport is open. The weather and ice conditions will determin that. All pilots need to check their notams web site and call my number 603-875-3498 for current conditions of the airport to see if it is opened or closed. I will also shut down the runway for 30 min on Feb 14th, from 3:00-3:30 pm for the Bed Race, and then we will re-open. This info will also be on the phone message. Also, to all pilots on the forum, we only have parking for approx 45 planes at one time. I will try to make an over-flow area. I think it would be a good idea to plan a second destination.To all spectators...please stay clear of all airport opperating areas.
Thank you.
Paul LaRochelle,
B-18 Airport Manager

[dbahn]

Thanks for the update, Paul, and good reminder to always check NOTAMs.

Among the pilot group (Purple Board) we have quite a few people planning to attend this year, including from as far away as Kansas City and Raleigh, NC, just to come to Alton Bay for the Winter Carnival!

I wondered about knocking down whatever bank is at the north end of the runway and allowing planes to wander into that area for overflow parking. Are you restricted by the DOT? Some planes can be pushed around to various other areas fairly easily. It looks like deep snow isn't a problem, and the forecast for the upcoming week is certainly favorable at this point. Some people are planning to arrive Saturday as well.

BTW, flying to Alton Bay last year and the year before in my Cub got me interested in landing on ice in general. As a side note, here's a page I made about landing on a lake at Isle au Haut, Maine, in the Cessna 206 last weekend. We had a ball there, as well.

[RLW]

Originally Posted by dbahn

Thanks for the update, Paul, and good reminder to always check NOTAMs.

Among the pilot group (Purple Board) we have quite a few people planning to attend this year, including from as far away as Kansas City and Raleigh, NC, just to come to Alton Bay for the Winter Carnival!

I wondered about knocking down whatever bank is at the north end of the runway and allowing planes to wander into that area for overflow parking. Are you restricted by the DOT? Some planes can be pushed around to various other areas fairly easily. It looks like deep snow isn't a problem, and the forecast for the upcoming week is certainly favorable at this point. Some people are planning to arrive Saturday as well.

BTW, flying to Alton Bay last year and the year before in my Cub got me interested in landing on ice in general. As a side note, here's a page I made about landing on a lake at Isle au Haut, Maine, in the Cessna 206 last weekend. We had a ball there, as well.

Thanks Dave for the great pictures of the wonderful time had by all in the photo's. It sure looks as if you really had a fun time with all that were there. Are the 2 Golden's in the pictures your's. They sure look as if they are also enjoying the freedom to run with all the excitement.

[dbahn]

Originally Posted by RLW

Thanks Dave for the great pictures of the wonderful time had by all in the photo's. It sure looks as if you really had a fun time with all that were there. Are the 2 Golden's in the pictures your's. They sure look as if they are also enjoying the freedom to run with all the excitement.

Yes, the goldens are ours and they were like kids in Disneyworld on the ice.

[Iceguy]

Hi Dave' Great pic's you must of had fun. Also about the airport. It's not just the dot its also the events near the outside of the parking area and people safty is the issue. I think the over flow mite be best off the taxiway on the west side about half way down this will be out of the way. But along walk for pilots, we will see. Talk to you soon Paul'

[dbahn]

Thanks, Paul. With respect to the safety issue, if someone is willing to harness a 4 wheeler for a while, aircraft can be towed to parking fairly readily, or even pushed by hand.

Let me know if I can help. We should have a pretty good crew there for most of the time.

[Iceguy]

Thank's Dave. And I will have my truck for pulling aircraft,with tools,gen,cords,heater, jumpercables. Paul,

[Seeker]

Looks like you met some interesting people there. Haven't been up that way for a few years.

[Pepper]

Dave, those are wonderful photos of what was obviously a fabulous weekend getaway! I particularly loved the pre-heating method - was that a coleman lantern and a dryer vent tube? Ingenious! Thanks so much for sharing your weekend with all of us.

[flyguy]

I usually work hard at excluding the wing/strut/wheels from my photos, but this time it seemed appropriate.

Look closely and you'll see Mount Washington in the background.

[Pepper]

Bill, your photos capture so much detail! One word ... WOW!
Thanks for always sharing so much of your work with us!!!

[DRH]

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

A while ago DRH was looking for someone to take over a bed from past years. Some talk here:
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...highlight=race

It was available until last week, but someone has come forward and asked for it and it's going to be picked up this week for the race.

[Sal]

Picture taken at Alton Carnival, 2/14/10.

[joelglick]

Here are 150 photos taken by members of the Northeast Pilot's Group.
http://www.meetup.com/NEPilotsGroup/photos/827044/

Special thanks to Paul, Bruce, and the other volunteers who make this ice runway an exciting destination for pilots. We love coming to Alton Bay, not just because it is the only FAA designated ice runway in the United States, but also because Paul and everyone in town makes us feel so welcome. Our group alone filled 25 seats at Shibley's for brunch.

As for the previous photo, indeed, there was a minor mishap. The crosswind (west wind) made for challenging conditions, particularly on ice. It has the potential for blowing us across the runway (in this case towards the east), so we tend to land to the left (west) of the centerline of the runway to give us some room, should we slip to the east. The left main wheel caught the snowbank on the left (west) edge of the runway, which caused it to spin to the left. When the main wheel hit the snowbank, it collapsed, which caused the propeller to hit the ice, hence the bent propeller. Nobody was hurt. The force of this prop-strike is transmitted through the drive shaft to the connecting rods, which are probably bent. The FAA demands a mandatory engine teardown and rebuild in a situation like this.

Overall, the Alton Bay ice runway is operated in a very safe and professional manner. The pilots that fly here tend to be very experienced, so this is an unusual occurrence that had more to do with the wind conditions than anything else.

- Joel Glickman

[Iceguy]

Thanks Joel and the Fly Club for your support. It was a great day. We had approx 80 planes that flew in. With only one little mishap. The wind can be tricky. The plane is being removed today and Wednesday. The wings have to be removed in order to transport, for repair. If anyone is wondering about the other plane on the parking area on the airport, it has a broken starter, and it's waiting for parts. This could take a few days. Also, I think the Carnival was a great success. Joel, thanks for the pictures. Hope to see you on the ice!
Paul

[trfour]

To Paul & Crew, The Pilots and families that entertained, not only the locals, big smiles were also coming from around the world through being able to enjoy the festivities on The Alton Bay Cam!!

Absolutely priceless!!!!

Terry
________________________

From Dallas/Fort Worth, TX.

[robmac]

As the weather takes its toll on the ice this week as we get closer to spring thaw I would like to thank Paul and his crew for all the work they put into the Alton Ice Airport. Being able to share this with my daughter one of the things I enjoyed while growing up is awsome. Had a wonderful time out there many weekends this season, so again a big thank you.

[upthesaukee]

With all the rain, maybe we can get some seaplanes to come into the airport before the boats get out there and ruin the runway!

Thanks for all you and the crew have done once again, for the Bay, and its visitors.