Saturday is the Ice Runway in NH

corcoran

corcoran

Orbiting Earth
Saturday February 12 is the scheduled fly-in at Alton Bay [B18] on Lake Winnepesaukee, New Hampshire.

As of Wednesday 2/9 the runway is not plowed due to excessive snow and slush.
To get a direct report of conditions call the recorded message at Alton Bay (603) 875-3498.
Getting the ice usable is a 100% volunteer effort funded out of their pockets.

Our alternate is Laconia, New Hampshire [KLCI] with parking at Emerson Aviation (self serve fuel).
Meeting time is 11:00am either place where our planes are parked. Lunch is on your own.

The statewide fishing tournament is taking place this weekend on all the lakes of New Hampshire.
Be sure to checkout the bob houses as you fly over.
Ron Cribbie says to be sure to fly over Meridith, just north of Laconia to see the most activity.

If the ice is open we go to Alton Bay. If it is closed we go to Laconia.

Tom Corcoran, Northeast Region Director
Ron Cribbie, BAC Airboss of New Hampshire
 

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Last edited:
Alan,
Yes, it is fun. And it's challenging. Even a dentist can do it.
You try to come in over the hills (mountains) and get lined up on final so you clear the trees, the houses, the bridge and all the trucks and snowmobiles.
You get a runout/overshoot of about 20 miles if you land towards the north. You get a bridge at the end of the runway to the south.
The best thing is to land just over the threshhold but that's where the parked planes are assembled.
So, set down and hope for a short rollout. Very short.
You're lucky if there is snow on the ice. It aids traction. You'll need traction to make the 180 degree turn at the end of the runway.
If the ice is smooth and clean the turn will be made at ONE KNOT or less and in tiny movements. You're on ballbearings here.
I opened my door to let the wind help with the movement. Newton's laws of motion are easily understood turning a Sundowner on the ice at Alton Bay, NH.
The ice landing season is VERY short so keep calling the 603 number and make the journey on any day even if BAC isn't sponsoring it.
Yes Doctor White and my fellow BACers... it is a gas and you can buy a pin that says, "I landed on the ice runway".
I have three of them but then again I've landed on the water when it wasn't frozen!

Tom Corcoran
Join us Saturday at our alternate if necessary... Laconia KLCI
 
This may seem like a silly question, but, how do you run a pre-heater on the ice? Or do you stay just a short time?
 
J.,

I have always just flown to the ice runway for the visit. I doubt that anyone actually keeps a plane based there. The ice is only cleared for as many weeks each year that nature cooperates. It is a float plane base in the summer. [B18]

At my home airport [1B9] we have a group use heater that is completely portable that rolls around on a two wheeler. The propane and the battery travel with it. It is too heavy and big to consider loading in the plane.

As there are no ice runways out in Oregon J, why not fly out to New Hampshire Saturday and see for yourself.

Tom Corcoran
 
I wish I could make it, my family is from Dover/Rochester/Portsmouth, so not only a BAC visit but family too. Lately we have lots of lakes to land on, more than usual (hey any of our type a/c on pontoons?), well at least in the NW part of OR.

I guess you don't worry about the preheating if the plane has been sitting for a few hours. Do you throw a blanket over the cowl? Or does that matter? I guess I am curious, we really do not get the cold that you get in the NE.
 
Update for today's fly-in 2/12...
As of Saturday morning 6:30 local the ice runway is closed at Alton Bay, Lake Winnepesaukee, New Hampshire.
Our alternate is Laconia, New Hampshire meeting at 11:00.
Note: The weather advisory calls for turbulance, icing and snow showers in that area early afternoon.
Make your best pilot decision.
Ron Cribbie, BAC Airboss for New Hampshire says, "Fly safe".

Tom Corcoran, Northeast Region Director
 
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