ICEPORT Provides The Perfect Cabin Fever Cure

Mille Lacs Lake's annual ICEPORT fly-in is the perfect cure for aviation cabin fever. Organizer Mark Priglmeier plans the gathering with an additional goal in mind.

"It's all about getting people flying," Priglmeier said. "My goal for this event is providing a unique place that people can take their families."

Many people give up flying because they have no place to go to or things to do, thus they find it hard to justify the expense and time of being a pilot, he contends. "If we give a little, a fulfilled flying life is possible. One to be shared and passed on."

Last year, a record-setting 152 aircraft touched down on the ice near Mac's Twin Bay Resort. This year, the popular no-fee winter event returns Saturday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pilots should monitor 122.9 for information. Donations are encouraged to offset Mac's Twin Bay plowing expenses. Skis and wheel aircraft are welcome, and prize drawings are at 1 p.m.

Priglmeier praises Mac's Twin Bay owner Kevin McQuiod and his plowing expertise. "He's smart, and really knows how to prepare the runway surface," he said. "There's just enough grit left on the surface to provide the proper friction for tires."

Pilots need continued vigilance when preparing to land, Priglmeier advises. "Don't be fooled," he said. "You need to fly the airplane all the way through, until it's shut down." Priglmeier said he's had numerous pilots land at ICEPORT and just after touchdown, they let go of the ailerons and the rudder. "That's when the airplane just takes them where it wants to go," he added. "If needed, you have wrestle the airplane all the way to the parking spot and tie-down. It's all about directional control. You have to keep flying that airplane."

Joel Wensman has been flying into ICEPORT since 2012. He pilots a Piper Arrow III. "The main part about flying is the journey," he said. "Meeting aviators is exciting. We find reasons to get together. Attending ICEPORT is one of those reasons."

Wensman has landed on Mille Lacs Lake a few times since 2012, and tries to maximize his landing distance.

"I've come in and felt the tires slightly touch the snowbank at the end of the runway, and knowing exactly where you need to touchdown is key," he said, adding an engine preheater is also a good idea.

"Weather is a challenge, especially around ICEPORT time," he said. "You don't want to destroy an engine by taking off with a cold cylinder."

Each year, Wensman is thankful for the event support provided by Tanis Aircraft Products President CEO Doug Evink.

"Doug's a great guy. We've known him for years," he said. Tanis always encourages aviation events, Evink explained. The company attends the ICEPORT event and provides giveaway items.

"We encourage folks to participate by sending out emails to our database and making the announcement on our social media channels and have some nice prizes for some of the lucky attendees," Evink said.

Priglmeier said Da Boathouse and Mac's Twin Bay also support the event. "The love of aviation and the wonderful community that it creates," he said. "The restaurant's buffet style restaurant is an excellent choice for our event. There's a continuous service flow and you can't complain that you didn't get enough to eat."

Volunteers from EAA chapters in St. Cloud and Brainerd attend the event as individuals and provide support and contribute service time.

"It's a great time to get together when you've been stuck in the house all winter long," Wensman said. The event is scheduled after fish houses come off the lake.

"This event just started out as a few local pilots wanting to get together," he said. "The word got out about how much fun this is, and ICEPORT just grew from there."