With all the cold temps we've had up here, the Alton Bay ice runway is looking promising...
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KLN6zYqBA/
Dave
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1KLN6zYqBA/
Dave
Van's Air Force
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Alton Bay NH ice runway looking good...
- Thread starter Thermos
- Start date
Like so many other things these days, so they can say they did it.I can’t imagine why someone would intentionally land on an ice runway
A ground loop on steroids……I can’t imagine why someone would intentionally land on an ice runway
Alton Bay gets a lot of traffic when it's open... https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18CDM5EXRu/I can’t imagine why someone would intentionally land on an ice runway
I flew in there for the first time last February, has to be a very benign wx day for me to go. Crosswinds are no bueno - even in a nosedragger - and ideally it's a colder day and/or one right after a dusting of snow so the ice has a little grip. There have been a few slide-on-the-ice accidents, but most of the bad landings are the result of unstabilized and too-fast approaches.
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I took my RV-12 to Alton Bay twice last winter, and am aiming to go again this year. It’s definitely challenging, and gets more so as the season goes on and surface water starts to develop, but super rewarding as well.
Some people can’t imagine why anyone would build or fly a homemade experimental airplane, and yet we do anyway…I can’t imagine why someone would intentionally land on an ice runway
We have group of local RVs that go to Alton Bay each year. It's a festive fun event with plenty of local activities. They do a nice job plowing the runway. They usually leave an inch or so of crusty snow on the runway so it is not shiny slick ice.
The parking area is another story. It is usually just slick ice. Best to shut down in front of where you want to park. Easy enough to push your plane sideways if needed.
The parking area is another story. It is usually just slick ice. Best to shut down in front of where you want to park. Easy enough to push your plane sideways if needed.
I note that my insurance company (Global) clearly prohibits landing or taking off from snow or ice. From what I can tell, this is a relatively common insurance exclusion.I can’t imagine why someone would intentionally land on an ice runway
Where? My Global policy excludes "Taxi, take off or landing on snow or ice, while the aircraft is equipped with skis." Doesn't say anything about landing on ice on wheels.
Sorry, I think you're correct. I was told in the past that operations off ice were excluded without endorsement as "off-airport" operations except for an FAA-authorized ice runway like Alton Bay (only such runway AFAIK). Your post made me investigate further because there's a big annual ice-port fly-in held annually in February (Iceport) on Lake Mille Lacs just down the road from here. It's cancelled this year by the founder and the two EAA chapters I belong to have been asked to consider taking over its management. I just got off the phone with my broker (Leah at Gallagher) and she told that there should be no problem flying off an ice runway, but she'll ask the underwriter to be sure.
Vlad’s map of winter landings on the frozen Green river is quite extensive.
I’d wager that Vlad has more ice experience (including cocktails!)
than anyone on this site.
Jjackh10
Well Known Member
I can’t imagine why someone would intentionally land on an ice runway
I can't imagine why anyone would voluntarily live through a NTX summer.
I see MANY more posts about how to heat northern hangars than I see about keeping cool in Texas!I can't imagine why anyone would voluntarily live through a NTX summer.
I LIVE for summer.
Jjackh10
Well Known Member
It's cancellation is apparently not a completely done deal, The event founder/leader has elected to not participate any more, at least this year, but the restaurants/resorts (Da Boathouse and Mac's Twin Bay) where it takes place really want to pull it off and it appears that they are committed to trying. They're working to get help from someone/some organization. Ice plowing is arranged but they're looking for someone to manage the airplane side. Our participation is an agenda topic for our chapter meeting on Saturday.
Leah did call me back after talking with the underwriter for Global, confirmed that there would be no problem landing or taking off from ice on an occasional basis, although might be a little more interested if it was regular thing, like basing the aircraft on an ice runway. I've come to expect this kind of attentive customer service from her and from Gallagher.
