Alton Bay Winter Carnival at the Iceport (B18) Alton Bay, NH

You've landed on pavement, you've landed on gravel, you've even landed on grass, but have you landed on solid ice yet? Now's your chance. Join us for our third annual meetup at Alton Bay (B18), the country's only FAA designated iceport. Because it is actually an airport (B18) and designed to FAA specifications, you should be covered under your insurance policy, but it would smart to call them to find out.

This event was cancelled last year and the airport never opened since the ice conditions never were just right. I just some wonderful news from the airport manager, Paul LaRochelle. The ice runway is open and aircraft have already stopped by to visit. The ice is about a foot thick and is currently exposed, no snow, so braking action is nil.

For those not yet ready for an ice landing, head to Laconia (KLCI) by 10:30am for a van ride to Alton Bay organized by Clark. Be sure to answer the RSVP question and coordinate with Clark.

UPDATE 02/16/12: It looks like that winter storm that may have affected Sunday weather will move out to sea near the mid-Atlantic states, meaning we should have good weather for the Winter Carnival. I spoke with Paul LaRochelle, the airport manager and got the following information regarding the condition of the airport:

Paul reports that there is NO snow on the ice whatsoever, so you are landing on glare ice. He has marked off the runway with some yellow cones and flags along the length of the runway and used orange cones to mark both the threshold and end of the runway. Because there is no snow, even if you roll out long beyond the "runway", you will just continue along the ice. Paul has indicated that pilots are reporting that the markings are very difficult to see at altitude. Some pilots have entered the pattern and done a low approach first to get the lay of the land before landing. Helicopter operations this year will be conducted by C - R Helicopters (http://www.crhelicopters.com/) out of Nashua, NH. I am told that the helicopters will use the regular traffic pattern, so be on alert for the helos. Finally, because of the multitude of people on the ice for the Winter Carnival and glare ice (ZERO braking action), Paul recommends that pilots not fly in if this is their first time into B18. Pick another day and come when the traffic pattern isn't full and there are fewer people on the ground, Saturday, for example. Seasoned veterans already have enough experience to operate during this busy slippery time.

http://www.skyhavennh.com/_sky-pics/altonbay-2009-runway.jpg

http://65.175.155.170:8011/__live.jpg?&&& LIVE STILL IMAGE from ALTON BAY!! -- Click HERE (http://www.spencerhughes.com/altoncam/?justshowme=true) for streaming LIVE WEBCAM

The airport itself is located ON the surface of the southern tip of Lake Winnipesaukee, 21.4nm to the northeast of Concord, NH. We have Paul LaRochelle, an Alton Bay non-pilot local, to thank for reviving the Alton Bay iceport. The former manager gave up on maintaining the iceport a few years back, but the locals discovered that they missed their winged friends, so Paul, a contractor that lives right along the shoreline, picked up the ball and now plows the runway and taxiway for us (uncompensated). Can you believe that it can take 8 hours to plow 16 inches of snow to form a 2400 ft x 80 ft runway with taxiiway?

Here is the itinerary for the 2012 Alton Bay Winter Carnival sponsored by the Alton Business Association and Alton Bay Parks & Rec Dept:

8:00am - 10:00am Pancake Breakfast at the Community Center (Old Train Depot)
10:00am - 3:00pm Snowmobile Demonstrations
10:00am - 3:30pm Helicopter Rides - C - R Helicopters (http://www.crhelicopters.com/)
11:00am - 3:00pm Sleigh Rides ($5 per person)
1:00pm - 3:00pm DJ Music at the Bandstand;
1:30pm Family Scavenger Hunt- prizes awarded;
3:00pm Parade of Beds;
3:00pm - 3:30pm Great Alton Bay Bed Race (runway will probably remain open for this)
Also, there is a crazy hat contest so bring or create the craziest hat you can imagine and win a prize

I have been in touch with Paul LaRochelle, the airport manager and chief plow operator at the Alton Bay airport (B18). He is looking forward to having everyone come out for this year's winter carnival. Because conditions on the ice runway are prone to change, please keep in mind these important NOTAMS:

1. Before you depart, you should check this meetup page for any last minute changes and also phone the Alton Bay Iceport Hotline at 603-875-3498 for recorded NOTAMS from Paul. Paul will also post the NOTAMS with the FAA and should be available through FSS as well. It is possible that the airport could close due to rough ice conditions, slush, or some other condition, so check before you leave! Please do not contact the Alton Bay Parks & Rec department. While they co-host the Winter Carnival, they have nothing to do with the ice runway.

2. Safety is the number one priority. Because we expect a lot of traffic, please be mindful of the traffic pattern and be alert to the constant helicopter traffic from C - R Helicopters (http://www.crhelicopters.com/). They will be conducting rides primarily between 10:00am and 3:30pm. They will remain below 1300 feet MSL and will conduct their tours from the runway centerline and west of the runway centerline. They will operate 1 or 2 Robinson R-44's on 6-10 minute loops. They will be on CTAF 122.8 Mhz, so listen up for them. Their operations will commence 300 ft left of the runway 01 threshhold. Their tour will take passengers to the North over the lake, and then west over Mt. Major (about 2mi N-NW of the airport), and then they will reenter the pattern.

In addition, rehearse your ice landing technique in your mind before coming. Aircraft such as Saratogas and larger are known to land here by employing proper technique. The following is for your information only and you should land at Alton Bay at your own risk. Naturally, full stall landing on the "numbers", roll out with no brakes. Try your brakes once you've slowed down. Keep flying the airplane until you come to a complete stop. In a strong crosswind, you may find yourself in a crab angle while on the ice in order to track the centerline. Land on the upwind side of the runway during a crosswind in case it blows you across the runway a bit. When on the taxiway, there may be a moment when your airplane will slide forward even at idle and full brakes, so you may have to shut down if an aircraft is stopped in front of you. My experience has been that during a strong crosswind takeoff, you may actually weathervane while still on the ice and be crabbing before you even get into the air! It works.

3. The ramp is located on the southern end of the field and can accommodate perhaps 50+ airplanes. Follow the instructions from Paul and his assistants once you are on the ground and they will direct you to a parking space. There is no defined taxiway this year, since there is no snow. Parking will be on a first come - first served basis, so come early. If the ramp fills up, you may not be able to land! Paul told me that he didn't have to deny landing to anyone two years ago as there was a good flow in the parking area of planes leaving to leave behind spaces for arrivals.

4. For aviation diehards, land early to assure your parking spot and attend the pancake breakfast from 8am - 10am. The cost is $5 / person. From the ice ramp, walk up the boat ramp and turn right on the road and head to the Community Center (Old Train Depot).

5. We'd love to have you join the NEPG at 11:30pm for the brunch at Shibley's at the Pier, the restaurant near our icy ramp. Please answer the "question" to your RSVP so that I can count the brunchers to make the reservations. Indicate how many seats you need. Here is their menu (http://www.shibleysatthepier.com/lunchmenu.html). After lunch, it's a free-for-all: helo rides, sleigh rides, bed races: the sky's the limit.

6. Paul and his crew will have a heater, jumper cables, generator, a few propane tanks, and other items that might be useful if you need a little help getting back in the air. We have ground support if needed.

7. It WILL be COLD! Bring a thermal blanket or a preheater with you. Paul has propane and electricity. If you only stay for a few hours, you won't need a preheat, but stay longer and you may want one! I will have a preheater and can help if you find me.

8. As you walk around on the ice during the carnival, you will see folks slipping on the ice and falling down. If you own ice cleats, you will want to bring them along. If you don't, you might want to consider getting some. It is very slippery!! Also, it is usually quite cold here and you'll be outside for most of the day. Long underwear!

9. Please visit the General Store while you are there and drop a few bucks in the donation bucket. This helps finance Paul and his crew to keep this wonderful iceport open for us!!

10. The ice runway will be CLOSED to arrivals and departures between 3 and 3:30pm for the bed race, so plan accordingly!!

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/1/c/7/event_7336839.jpeg

Here are improvements made to Alton Bay for 2012:

1. The runways and taxiways were laid out using an aviation GPS loaned to them by a DOT employee/pilot. So they are much straighter than they have been.
2. The taxiway feeds directly into the parking area. It no longer crosses the runway threshold.
3. The parking area is a large rectangle as it was last year, compared to a semi-circle that was hard to navigate in previous years.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/5/4/5/event_7337733.jpeg
No question, this is a signature 5-star NEPG family fun flyin.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/2/6/2/event_7336994.jpeg

http://moniquetenander.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/a-bay-carnival1.jpg?w=500&h=375

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/0/6/9/event_7336489.jpeg

Photos from Joel's reconnaissance mission in 2010:
http://www.facebook.c... (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=63883&id=589069925&ref=share)

Photos from the 2010 Alton Bay Winter Carnival:
https://www.meetup.com... (https://www.meetup.com/NEPilotsGroup/photos/827044/)

Photos from the 2009 Alton Bay Winter Carnival:
https://www.meetup.com... (https://www.meetup.com/NEPilotsGroup/photos/542357/)

Video from the 2009 Winter Carnival (I'm they guy in the black jacket and dungarees walking the ice):
http://www.flickr.com... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/iminstant/3284348263/)

Experiences from Joy of Aviation blogger 01/10/10:
http://www.thejoyofav... (http://www.thejoyofaviation.com/alton-bay-airport-2010)

Airnav Page for Alton Bay Iceport:
http://www.airnav.com... (http://www.airnav.com/airport/B18)

Notams for B18:

https://pilotweb.nas.... (https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/PilotWeb/)
type in B18 and click View NOTAMS

Iceport Runway Hotline: 603-875-3498

AOPA Pilot article, January 2010:
http://www.aopa.org/m... (http://www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot/2010/january/feature_icerunway.html?WT.mc_id=ebrief%20)

AOPA article #2 about Alton Bay, January 2010:
http://www.aopa.org/a... (http://www.aopa.org/aircraft/articles/2010/100114altonbay.html)

Winter Carnival Brochure for 2011:
http://altonnhbusines... (http://altonnhbusinesses.com/docs/2011_winter_carnival_web_flyer.pdf)

NEPG Flyin Organizer: Joel Glickman (518) 274-0053 (Call before 8:30am if you wish - no cell coverage at Alton Bay!!)