Ice Airport?

dbahn · 02-14-2009, 12:41 AM

Paul, do you have any advice for pilots who fly in and find the parking area full? Should they avoid landing there, or can they be pushed into an alternative area for parking?

Tomorrow may be a bit windy, but it sounds like Sunday will be a picture perfect February winter day. There seems to be a lot of enthusiasm for this event.

Iceguy · 02-14-2009, 06:42 PM

Hello.
The runway will still be opened. However, the taxi way is shut down due to standing water on top of 2 feet of ice. We do not want anyone slipping into a snowbank. As it stands now, all flights will have to back taxi on the runway. As far as the parking area, at best 30 planes. I will be on the ice for any assistance. It may be possible to bring some planes into where I drive onto the parking area. This area is bumpy. It would be up to the pilots to park in this area. It was a shame that we had all the rain and warm temps this week. The ice is still safe.
Iceguy

TexASH Pilot · 02-14-2009, 07:48 PM

Thanks for the update, Paul.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, and again, we really appreciate all the hard work.

TexASH Pilot · 02-15-2009, 06:25 PM

We had a blast at Alton Bay today. The weather couldn't have been better, great food (Olde Bay Diner for Breakfast, Shibley's Drive In for Clam/Lobster rolls), airplanes, helicopters, snowmobiles, good people... what more can you ask for?

Considering Alton Bay is the only remaining FAA approved Ice Runway in the US, it's fantastic that Paul and his crew stepped up to keep it that way and very refreshing to see a community support an airport rather than try to close it down.

Here's a shot of the hardest working man at Alton Bay:

Hope you got a better meal than that frozen burger when you got home, Paul... you earned it!

hazelnut · 02-15-2009, 07:16 PM

It really was amazing to see that today! What a great effort on behalf of that man. It was incredible to watch the planes taking off and landing today. Add the helicopter and the bed races and the sleigh ride and the..... etc. etc. It was a fun day indeed. My twin boys loved it. Here is a crude cell phone photo of a long shot of the airstrip plane parking with two planes ready for takeoff.

This'nThat · 02-15-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexASH Pilot

Here's a shot of the hardest working man at Alton Bay:

[ Hope you got a better meal than that frozen burger when you got home, Paul... you earned it!

I want to also salute the pilots and runway keepers (plowers), in addition to Paul. You pilots were the attraction, and you couldn't have done it unless the runway was kept in tip-top shape. As I said before, my only view was the webcam; but from what I saw, you thrilled all the kids there -- from 3 to 63! Thanks for your time and your enthusiasm. I'm like you -- it's good to see good people soaking up the fun today.

Ropetow · 02-15-2009, 08:01 PM

Thank to you for everyone for making the Winter Carnival an amazingly fun afternoon. Special thanks to the crew that made the ice airport possible. It was truly a day to remember.

PS---The helicopter rides were a blast!

SteveA · 02-15-2009, 09:52 PM

We were on our way through Alton and stopped to take a couple of quick pics.

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TexASH Pilot · 02-16-2009, 10:05 AM

Some of the pilots that flew into Alton Bay (and have posted here... dbahn, Collybus, myself) also belong to a pilot-oriented forum called "The Purple Board for Pilots." This is where we all originall met and we use the forum to discuss aviation topics, shoot the bull, and plan fly outs to events such as our two trips this season to Alton Bay.

There's a great, albeit long, thread on our forum that shows the genesis of our planning of the event from the disappointment in the very beginning when we thought AB wouldn't open this year, to our excitement and appreciation when it did open. Some of you might find it interesting.

At Dave's (dbahn) suggestion, I've created a user account any of you can use to view the thread if you're interested. The latter pages contain discussion of our latest trip, including a whole bunch of our pictures and videos.

To view the thread, click here:

http://www.purpleboard.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9778

The user name you can use is: Alton Bay Guest
and the password is: guest

Any of you are more than welcome to join up, register and post.

Enjoy!

dbahn · 02-16-2009, 11:30 AM

Everyone who had anything to do with pulling this thing off should be commended. "Build it and they will come" worked for us as pilots, and we shouldn't be credited with anything except wanting to have a good time.

As I mentioned on our own (Purple) board, the whole thing just represents a slice of Americana that should be cherished. It's very refreshing to me to see a community event like this that also attracts outsiders like us, and to see everyone having such a good time.

(For anyone who wants to login in as "Alton Bay Guest" and enter password "guest" (rather than register) and just pick up on the posts and pictures for Winter Carnival weekend, you can just go directly to page 31 to start.)

Thanks again for all of the hard work.

upthesaukee · 02-16-2009, 11:02 PM

and you guys are waaaaayyyyy too funny.

Nice to see other folks having a good time on their forum.

Dave

TexASH Pilot · 02-17-2009, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

and you guys are waaaaayyyyy too funny.

Nice to see other folks having a good time on their forum.

Dave

Life's more fun when you don't take everything too seriously.

chipj29 · 02-17-2009, 08:03 AM

My 13 year old son is a HUGE aviation buff. He wants desperately to be a pilot, starting in the Air Force after HS. I would really like to take him up to Alton Bay to see a bunch of planes coming and going, I think he would get a kick out of it. Are there any dates planned this winter when there might be a bunch of you pilot guys meeting up?
Thanks
Chip

dbahn · 02-17-2009, 10:00 AM

I don't think we have plans to meet up at Alton Bay again this year, but next weekend is a similar event (said to have even more airplanes) at a Lake Sebago fishing derby. Here's some of the information.

RLW · 02-17-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbahn

I don't think we have plans to meet up at Alton Bay again this year, but next weekend is a similar event (said to have even more airplanes) at a Lake Sebago fishing derby. Here's some of the information.

That's to bad, but we sure enjoyed all of the company that you all gave use the last 2 big weekends and thank you for being so good to the public who had many questions and enjoyed the landings and take offs. We all look forward to next year when you all come back and also for those that weren't able to come on the big weekends and will be coming at any time during this season. Thanks again to you all.

Iceguy · 02-17-2009, 07:19 PM

Hello Everyone!

WOW!!!! What a day it was. This was probably the best turn out we ever had. The Alton Business Association with help from Parks and Rec really pulled it together. I had a blast talking with all of the Pilots, especially, dbahn,(Dave), Texash, and Collybus and Joel. We think there was approximately 700 people that attended the carnival, and I estimate, over the course of the day, about 70 planes flew in to the Bay. The pilots and all the planes have been the talk of the town. Thanks so much for all the pictures, and yes, Donna made me a good warm meal.
Paul

trfour · 02-17-2009, 07:52 PM

Hopefully all of the Photos, Videos and Pans will keep us revved up until next year!! I think that collectively we all willed the weather to cooperate and we will start the dancing for 2010 at an appropriate time!!

Thank you all again,
Terry

Blue Thunder · 02-18-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbahn

I don't think we have plans to meet up at Alton Bay again this year, but next weekend is a similar event (said to have even more airplanes) at a Lake Sebago fishing derby. Here's some of the information.

You might want to drop an email to either of the guys on the fly-in guidance memo to find out if the event is still happening. Although the ice is thick enough, as of this Monday past, there was no runway of any kind set up on Jordan Bay. The ice surface is extremely rutted and rough and, in my opinion, not suitable for landing. There is 6-10 inches of snow forecasted for tonight as well. As much as we'd love to see it, I just don't want you guys to make an unnecessary trip.

Blue Thunder

RLW · 02-21-2009, 04:43 PM

This writer has a favor to ask anyone in the Alton Bay area. I'm enjoying all the festivities mostly the plowing and the plane activity on the lake via the Prudential Spencer-Hughes web cam however it is starting to be hard to watch Paul do his thing with the pick'em up truck because of the icicles in front of the camera. Would one of you good Samaritans please go in and ask them to remove the darn things.
Thanks in advance.

Ropetow · 02-21-2009, 07:22 PM

What's worse: Icicles or spiders?

RLW · 02-21-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ropetow

What's worse: Icicles or spiders?

ICICLES as they are bigger and spides, one can see around them and they take up very little space.

This'nThat · 02-21-2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLW

This writer has a favor to ask anyone in the Alton Bay area. I'm enjoying all the festivities mostly the plowing and the plane activity on the lake via the Prudential Spencer-Hughes web cam however it is starting to be hard to watch Paul do his thing with the pick'em up truck because of the icicles in front of the camera. Would one of you good Samaritans please go in and ask them to remove the darn things.
Thanks in advance.

I'll take care of them on my next visit; scheduled now for 15 May.

RLW · 02-22-2009, 10:42 AM

This'nThat, I don't think I'll be able to wait that long as it is growing awful fast. Maybe I can get to the Bay today and check into it. Oh, how did I do with the picture below. I think I figured it all out thanks to you.

RLW · 02-17-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexASH Pilot

Life's more fun when you don't take everything too seriously.

Amen brother amen. Life is way to short without lot's of fun.

02-14-2009, 06:42 PM	#2
Iceguy Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alton Bay, NH Posts: 28 Thanks: 1 Thanked 19 Times in 4 Posts	Runway Update Hello. The runway will still be opened. However, the taxi way is shut down due to standing water on top of 2 feet of ice. We do not want anyone slipping into a snowbank. As it stands now, all flights will have to back taxi on the runway. As far as the parking area, at best 30 planes. I will be on the ice for any assistance. It may be possible to bring some planes into where I drive onto the parking area. This area is bumpy. It would be up to the pilots to park in this area. It was a shame that we had all the rain and warm temps this week. The ice is still safe. Iceguy

02-15-2009, 07:16 PM	#5
hazelnut Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,348 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 508 Thanked 462 Times in 162 Posts	It really was amazing to see that today! What a great effort on behalf of that man. It was incredible to watch the planes taking off and landing today. Add the helicopter and the bed races and the sleigh ride and the..... etc. etc. It was a fun day indeed. My twin boys loved it. Here is a crude cell phone photo of a long shot of the airstrip plane parking with two planes ready for takeoff. Attached Images

02-15-2009, 09:52 PM	#8
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	Pics from Alton Bay today We were on our way through Alton and stopped to take a couple of quick pics. __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

02-16-2009, 11:02 PM	#11
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,597 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,455 Thanked 1,979 Times in 1,080 Posts	Thanks for the link to the Purple board and you guys are waaaaayyyyy too funny. Nice to see other folks having a good time on their forum. Dave __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

02-17-2009, 08:03 AM	#13
chipj29 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bow Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 521 Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts	Next fly-in? My 13 year old son is a HUGE aviation buff. He wants desperately to be a pilot, starting in the Air Force after HS. I would really like to take him up to Alton Bay to see a bunch of planes coming and going, I think he would get a kick out of it. Are there any dates planned this winter when there might be a bunch of you pilot guys meeting up? Thanks Chip __________________ Getting ready for winter!

02-14-2009, 12:41 AM	#1
dbahn Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mendon, Vermont Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Paul, do you have any advice for pilots who fly in and find the parking area full? Should they avoid landing there, or can they be pushed into an alternative area for parking? Tomorrow may be a bit windy, but it sounds like Sunday will be a picture perfect February winter day. There seems to be a lot of enthusiasm for this event.

02-14-2009, 07:48 PM	#3
TexASH Pilot Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 23 Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thanks for the update, Paul. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, and again, we really appreciate all the hard work.

02-15-2009, 06:25 PM	#4
TexASH Pilot Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 23 Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	We had a blast at Alton Bay today. The weather couldn't have been better, great food (Olde Bay Diner for Breakfast, Shibley's Drive In for Clam/Lobster rolls), airplanes, helicopters, snowmobiles, good people... what more can you ask for? Considering Alton Bay is the only remaining FAA approved Ice Runway in the US, it's fantastic that Paul and his crew stepped up to keep it that way and very refreshing to see a community support an airport rather than try to close it down. Here's a shot of the hardest working man at Alton Bay: Hope you got a better meal than that frozen burger when you got home, Paul... you earned it!

02-15-2009, 08:01 PM	#7
Ropetow Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rochester, NH / Bartlett, NH Posts: 322 Thanks: 228 Thanked 33 Times in 13 Posts	Thank to you for everyone for making the Winter Carnival an amazingly fun afternoon. Special thanks to the crew that made the ice airport possible. It was truly a day to remember. PS---The helicopter rides were a blast!

02-16-2009, 10:05 AM	#9
TexASH Pilot Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 23 Thanks: 2 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Some of the pilots that flew into Alton Bay (and have posted here... dbahn, Collybus, myself) also belong to a pilot-oriented forum called "The Purple Board for Pilots." This is where we all originall met and we use the forum to discuss aviation topics, shoot the bull, and plan fly outs to events such as our two trips this season to Alton Bay. There's a great, albeit long, thread on our forum that shows the genesis of our planning of the event from the disappointment in the very beginning when we thought AB wouldn't open this year, to our excitement and appreciation when it did open. Some of you might find it interesting. At Dave's (dbahn) suggestion, I've created a user account any of you can use to view the thread if you're interested. The latter pages contain discussion of our latest trip, including a whole bunch of our pictures and videos. To view the thread, click here: http://www.purpleboard.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9778 The user name you can use is: Alton Bay Guest and the password is: guest Any of you are more than welcome to join up, register and post. Enjoy!

02-16-2009, 11:30 AM	#10
dbahn Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mendon, Vermont Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Everyone who had anything to do with pulling this thing off should be commended. "Build it and they will come" worked for us as pilots, and we shouldn't be credited with anything except wanting to have a good time. As I mentioned on our own (Purple) board, the whole thing just represents a slice of Americana that should be cherished. It's very refreshing to me to see a community event like this that also attracts outsiders like us, and to see everyone having such a good time. (For anyone who wants to login in as "Alton Bay Guest" and enter password "guest" (rather than register) and just pick up on the posts and pictures for Winter Carnival weekend, you can just go directly to page 31 to start.) Thanks again for all of the hard work.

02-17-2009, 10:00 AM	#14
dbahn Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mendon, Vermont Posts: 39 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I don't think we have plans to meet up at Alton Bay again this year, but next weekend is a similar event (said to have even more airplanes) at a Lake Sebago fishing derby. Here's some of the information.

02-17-2009, 07:19 PM	#16
Iceguy Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alton Bay, NH Posts: 28 Thanks: 1 Thanked 19 Times in 4 Posts	Alton Bay Winter Carnival 2009 Hello Everyone! WOW!!!! What a day it was. This was probably the best turn out we ever had. The Alton Business Association with help from Parks and Rec really pulled it together. I had a blast talking with all of the Pilots, especially, dbahn,(Dave), Texash, and Collybus and Joel. We think there was approximately 700 people that attended the carnival, and I estimate, over the course of the day, about 70 planes flew in to the Bay. The pilots and all the planes have been the talk of the town. Thanks so much for all the pictures, and yes, Donna made me a good warm meal. Paul

02-17-2009, 07:52 PM	#17
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	"Supurb Job By All." Hopefully all of the Photos, Videos and Pans will keep us revved up until next year!! I think that collectively we all willed the weather to cooperate and we will start the dancing for 2010 at an appropriate time!! Thank you all again, Terry __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

02-21-2009, 04:43 PM	#19
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	Runway and other ice related activities This writer has a favor to ask anyone in the Alton Bay area. I'm enjoying all the festivities mostly the plowing and the plane activity on the lake via the Prudential Spencer-Hughes web cam however it is starting to be hard to watch Paul do his thing with the pick'em up truck because of the icicles in front of the camera. Would one of you good Samaritans please go in and ask them to remove the darn things. Thanks in advance. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits.

02-21-2009, 07:22 PM	#20
Ropetow Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rochester, NH / Bartlett, NH Posts: 322 Thanks: 228 Thanked 33 Times in 13 Posts	What's worse: Icicles or spiders?

02-22-2009, 10:42 AM	#23
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	Don't think I can wait This'nThat, I don't think I'll be able to wait that long as it is growing awful fast. Maybe I can get to the Bay today and check into it. Oh, how did I do with the picture below. I think I figured it all out thanks to you. Attached Images __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits.