You can Fly: Knocking off the rust

Like many rusty pilots, Crandall had been sidelined by the complicated process of getting his medical back after a bout with cancer. But, like fellow rusty pilots, he missed flying and hoped to get back to it one day. The Rusty Pilots seminar turned out to be just what he needed. After 15 years away he bought a hangar “and then I bought a little airplane to go in it.” The Cessna 150 was, he thought, a good way to get current and decide if he really wanted to fly again. He did, and he soon bought a Beech Bonanza E33.

Now back to regular flying, Crandall wanted to share his excitement. He made an offer to two “kids” in their thirties. If they would pay for gas, he would pay for the airplane, insurance, and instruction, and they could learn to fly. A few months ago, the first of those “kids” earned his private pilot certificate.

Since returning to the sky, Crandall has logged 150 hours and discovered a whole new kind of pleasure. Where he and his wife once flew a Piper Seneca almost exclusively to support their business, they now hop into the 150 and go flying—just for fun. “I never had a weekend airplane, to go out and fly on the weekend just for the heck of it,” he said. “We’ve really enjoyed doing that.”

Crandall, who is now 72 and has held a pilot certificate for more than half his life, has a little advice for folks who are thinking about getting back in the air after a break. “I would advise anybody to go do it. I think it’s good for them. It stimulates your mental faculties,” he said.

Now is a great time to join Crandall and the more than 2,500 other pilots who have returned to active flying status after attending an AOPA Rusty Pilots seminar. With medical reforms becoming a reality, thousands of pilots who put their flying on hold are expected to return to the air. To accommodate them, and any lapsed pilot who wants to fly again, AOPA is doubling the number of Rusty Pilots seminars offered nationwide—holding as many as 300 at flight schools, flying clubs, and aviation events throughout the year.

Seminar participants receive a signoff for three hours of ground instruction in the subjects required for the flight review. And, as always, it’s free to AOPA members.

If your flight school or flying club would like to host a Rusty Pilots seminar, sign up on AOPA Online. AOPA will provide a presenter, marketing support, and all the needed materials at no charge to you.

Airports

Landing at the ice airport

Earn some bragging rights

By Mike Collins

New Hampshire’s cold winter temperatures provide a special treat for pilots in the Northeast when the Alton Bay ice airport opens for the winter (above). This seasonal, public-use runway on Lake Winnipesaukee—at the charted location of the Alton Bay Seaplane Base (B18)—is believed to be the only charted ice airport in the 48 contiguous United States.

Volunteers plow snow from the ice to reveal Runway 1/19, which is 2,600 feet long and 100 feet wide. It opens after the ice becomes thick enough to support the plows; February 10 is the earliest it’s ever opened, said Paul LaRochelle, the airport’s volunteer manager. Because of warm weather it never opened in 2016. The runway must close by March 15, but it will close earlier if surface conditions deteriorate.

Wind usually is from the north, and Runway 1 is the preferred calm-wind runway. On final, watch for snowmobiles and pedestrians. Plan for a long rollout. When the ice looks black or deep blue from above, it’s likely to be slickest; a light covering of snow actually helps. Bring chocks, and boots or water-resistant shoes—there can be pools of water on the surface. Invite your instructor if you’re not comfortable landing on the ice.

During the season, LaRochelle updates the airport’s information line, 603-875-3498, every few days. Check notams before departing—if the runway must be closed temporarily, a notam will be issued before the recording is updated.

If you fly to Alton Bay, stop at Facet Jewelers—at Shoppes on the Bay—and LaRochelle’s wife, Donna, will give you a free certificate for landing on the ice at Alton Bay. Or an “I landed on the ice runway at Alton Bay” button. “We just got those,” LaRochelle said. Alton Bay Ice Runway hats are available for purchase. Several restaurants are within walking distance.

The Alton Business Association has not yet set dates for Alton Bay’s 2017 Winter Carnival, but the event quickly fills the aircraft parking area. Check the new Alton Bay Seaplane Base and Ice Runway page on Facebook for details.

Get your lobster on

Join the New England Flying Gourmet Challenge

By David Tulis

New England pilots craving a full belly, inspiration to fly, and a free T-shirt are challenged to visit eight airport restaurants within the next eight months to be eligible for a grand prize giveaway.

The New England Flying Gourmet Challenge rules are simple: Fly to an eligible restaurant, chow down, snap a photo, and post it to social media. Participants pick up a membership card at the first restaurant they visit, then apply a sticker to their card for each restaurant they visit and send in the completed document by May 15, 2017, for a chance at the grand prize drawing.

Five sets of tickets will be presented to winners for—you guessed it—more food (and music) at the Rock’n Ribfest in Nashua, New Hampshire, June 16 to 18, 2017.

Connecticut’s 121 Restaurant in Oxford; many restaurants in Massachusetts, including the Airport Grille in New Bedford, Hangar B Eatery in Chatham, Nancy’s Airfield Café in Stow, Papps Bar and Grill in Westfield, and White Cloud Restaurant in Orange; plus two New Hampshire eateries, The Flight Deck in Keene and The Midfield Café in Nashua, are participating in the challenge.

Pilots can visit the gourmet challenge’s Facebook page for menus, operating times, and more details.

Looking for more places to fly in your state? Check out AOPA Pilot’s list of excellent excuses to fly.

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