No.11 -- Harris Hill, Elmira, New York

1 July 2000

The Chemung Valley's pioneering soaring sites of the early 1930's faced many points of the compass. Take-off locations were selected daily to face the predicted winds. Gliders were launched by bungee cord into the wind so pilots could soar in the upward deflected air along the ridges or glide over the valley to seek thermal updrafts. These take-off sites and Caton Avenue Airport were the center of activity until Harris Hill became the "Soaring Capital" in 1934. This Landmark honors the Chemung County community and the pioneering soaring pilots who flew here. [References]

Click on any photo to see a larger version.

Jack O'Meara with his Baker McMillen Cadet sailplane at the Caton Avenue Airport on the southside of Elmira.

Souvenir cover, postmarked on 1 October 1930, during the first American Soaring Contest, held in Elmira, NY.

A view over the valley looking at the town and surrounding hills.

A Franklin PS-2 taking off from one of the many sites surrounding the valley.

NLS #11 souvenir mail was flown from the Chemung County Airport in the valley to Harris Hill by Jack Wyman in his restored Franklin PS-2 and Roy McMaster in his ASW-27 sailplane.

Jack Wyman, Elmira Postmaster representative and Roy McMaster and the mail bags.

From Gliding to Soaring, or Old Meets New. Photo courtesy of Peter Selinger.

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