SUPER photo Patrick. Didn't think it was possible for Utah lake to freeze, period, considering its size and depth. Especially because this hasn't been a particularly cold winter in Utah. The article mentioned planes landing on the lake - yikes- is there really enough ice - ever- to support, even a small plane? Wonder if anyone is asking where the salt comes from (see the article)? We in Utah know it is the Great Salt Lake, an anomoly on geological earth. Great comment about Ganyamede :)
On 03 Feb 2012, at 14:44, jcarman6@q.com wrote:
The article mentioned planes landing on the lake - yikes- is there really enough ice - ever- to support, even a small plane?
Apparently so. Of course now that I've told the world about it happening I can't find the news article talking about it. But keep in mind that some light planes really are light. Mine, even at full gross weight, weighs 2,300#. Put just me in it and minimum fuel and you're down to ~1,700. And some of today's light sport aircraft are under a ton. Spread that out onto 3 points of contact and I don't think it would take a lot of ice to support it. Still, should I ever land on a lake I'd prefer the plane has pontoons. :) patrick
During his 30 years living in the Alaskan wilderness, Dick Proenneke was supplied exclusively by small aircraft. He noted in his journals that 2 inches of lake ice was enough to land a small plane on, but "4 inches is better".
There are some places in the lower 48 that have ice runways every winter. It is a bit hard to stop, though. ________________________________ From: Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, February 3, 2012 8:47 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] EPOD During his 30 years living in the Alaskan wilderness, Dick Proenneke was supplied exclusively by small aircraft. He noted in his journals that 2 inches of lake ice was enough to land a small plane on, but "4 inches is better". _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
The real answer is to look at the pressure on the ice. The pressure a tire exerts on a surface is vry close to the tire air pressure. The heavier the object, the bigger the contact area, but ideally the pressure remains the same - the tire's air pressure. My airplane is 2800#, but I bet your tire pressure and mine are the same - 32 psi. Even though my plane is heavier, it would exert the same pressure on the runway (or ice if you take your plane there.) My nose wheel is even less pressure. I keep it between 26 and 28 psi. It should be less likely to break through. That being said, I'll let you perform that little experiment with your airplane. I'll stay on more sure surfaces. ;) ________________________________ From: Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> To: Utah Astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, February 3, 2012 8:01 PM Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] EPOD On 03 Feb 2012, at 14:44, jcarman6@q.com wrote:
The article mentioned planes landing on the lake - yikes- is there really enough ice - ever- to support, even a small plane?
Apparently so. Of course now that I've told the world about it happening I can't find the news article talking about it. But keep in mind that some light planes really are light. Mine, even at full gross weight, weighs 2,300#. Put just me in it and minimum fuel and you're down to ~1,700. And some of today's light sport aircraft are under a ton. Spread that out onto 3 points of contact and I don't think it would take a lot of ice to support it. Still, should I ever land on a lake I'd prefer the plane has pontoons. :) patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".
participants (4)
-
Brent Watson -
Chuck Hards -
jcarman6＠q.com -
Patrick Wiggins