Guys & Gals,

I'm planning a flight this winter to Alton Bay (B18). Any input on Ice landing techniques?

Wheels ? Skis?

No big deal as long as there is no Xwind. Of course....no brakes.

Landing at Alton Bay is reasonably easy. The ice is not a perfectly smooth surface. It is a bit rough. It will tolerate very light braking. Plan on a long roll out.

Now taking off is another story. You can't use the brakes for a run up. You push the power in - you are going!

Tom,

1. Watch for snow on the runway; too much and take-off could be sketchy.
2. Try to stay off your brakes. Warm brake rotors plus snow makes water that freezes after take-off, then your next landing is sketchy.
3. Be prepared to preheat if you stay long enough for the engine to cool down.
4. Be ready to do your run-up on the roll.
5. Have a clean cloth ready to wipe off moisture from your defroster 'cause it could obscure your forward view.

Have fun, winter flying is awesome.
Bill
C170B

I will be landing on wheels.

Bill and Rod, Thanks a lot and this is the stuff that is very helpful. I will be practicing rolling run ups.

It's as everyone here described, and once you get it down to a science, it's a heck of a lot of fun and can come in handy. I landed on the Kusko above Aniak back in February. 1/4 mile and 100 overcast there, so SVFR was out of the question. 5 miles upriver it was severe clear, so I ended up taxiing the 5 miles into town. Passengers got a kick out of it. The fog never did lift that day, so their connecting flight (IFR) couldn't even make it in.