Alton Bay

[cainbird]

Had a nice turn-out on Alton Bay today. Here are a couple pics.3210

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[Dorsal]

Cain,
looks like fun, I am really bummed we couldn't make it.
Thanks for posting pics, how easy was it to identify the runway?

[cainbird]

Dorsal,
It was easy for me because I just followed a Maule in! Seriously though they have cones on the runway edges so its pretty easy to see once your on final. Lots of fun, I met some nice people, ate some good food and saw some nice planes there. There was another Kitfox model 4 there and he flew up from Jaffrey. I will be going back next year!

[Dorsal]

Us too, we can make it a good winter fly-in spot.

[RobS]

For those who have never been to the Alton Bay, NH (B18) ice runway, here is what it looks like in a more "normal" winter (2010).

[GDN]

Wow strange ! How can you land on this, rudder on ground should be complete forbidden no ?

[Dick B in KY]

Rudder GOOD, brakes NO GOOD (useless on ice).

Dick B

[GDN]

Yes sure no brake ! But if you apply too much rudder control the plane doesn't slip and go straight ? Like when you turn the wheels of your car on snow and it continue straight

[kmach]

Hi ,
Landing on ice , the tires have little friction on the ice surface, so you have little to no control with braking. brake at only very low speeds and don't expect much results if any.
The surface you are landing on only matters to the tires.

The rudder is using the flow of air going over it , with rudder pedal inputs to keep you straight.

Just don't over control with the rudder pedals ( use "twinkle toes") to keep it straight until stopped or barely moving. High crosswinds will make things a little trickier.

Happy Landings!

[henrysamson]

I assume as soon as you get to where you want to park the engine has to be shut down? Can the brakes hold on ice at idle?

[RobS]

My experience at Alton Bay was good. Took it slow, but had no difficulty turning on to the taxiway and yes, brakes held at idle. The ice was not perfectly smooth, so I'm sure that helped.