Last week, myself and fellow pilot/cinematographer Michael De Mita joined the Censna 150/152 club on a journey to the last Ice Airport in the United States at Lake Winnipesaukee in Alton Bay, NH. The "iceport", as it is often referred to, is also known as Seaplane Base "Bravo 1-8" (B18) in the summer time. From January 1st to March 15th, when the lake is frozen a solid two to three feet thick, a 2,600' x 82' path is plowed out to form runways 1 and 19. All planes must be off the lake by April 1st, at the latest.
The FAA approved airport is maintained by Alton Bay resident Paul La Rochelle, who volunteers as the "ground control" coordinator and monitors the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) at the non-towered ice strip. Paul and several other volunteers plow snow off the iceway for the weekends when scores of pilots fly their Cessnas, Piper Cubs, and other fixed wing aircraft into town. The locals, often seen snowmobiling or ice-fishing in shacks on the Winnipesaukee, enjoy the boost of tourism by pilots in the off-season.
Landing on an ice runway requires the heavy use of rudder and NO BRAKES - unless one wants to skid off the runway! Mike De Mita harnessed a Sony HD "lipstick" camera to the pilot's side wing of his 1970 Cessna Aerobat 150-K. Video of our landing and take off is shown below:
NICE!!!!
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