Thank you for visiting Harris Hill Soaring and viewing our web pages.We would appreciate it if you would add your comments to this Guestbook! "I visited there and took a Sailplane ride on 7/14/1999 and fell in love with the peaceful quiet adventure. I really enjoyed the feeling of just floating on air. I hope to return there on 6/26/2005 to once again experience the thrill of a Sailplane ride. I would become a member and take lessons if I lived closer to "Harris Hill". Looking forward to another wonderful experience."
- Respectfully, Robert Walker
- <Ed.- You can find a soaring site near you by visiting the Soaring Society of America's web site. There are over 100 sailplane clubs across the country that can provide glider rides over their own unique landscape, or memberships and even flight training.
- See http://ssa.org/sport/wheretofly.asp >
"I took my first glider ride just last year in 2002-2003 and I loved it! I then took a second one in 2003-2004 and enjoyed it more than the first one. It wasnt till the second one that My mom was told about the HHSC Junior Organization. We were both thrilled over this news and I am now a part of it. The glider rides are definitly worth it. They're the perfect amount of time for seeing everything. Thank you Harris Hill and thank you Josh and Burtrin for making this such an enjoyable experience."
- Charlene
"I took my first glider ride 7/5/04. It was a great experience, one I will always remember. Thank you."
- Mark S., Erie, PA
"I enjoyed your website very much. I gave my older son, Bruce his first glider ride back in the late 70's when Jim Gordon was a pilot at Harris Hill. We had camped for many years at Jim's and Dot's Willow Wood camp gounds. This June 30th I will give my son, Dave, a surprise 16th Birthday present by letting him go for his first glider ride."
- Ed Gilbert
"Hello Fellow Sky Sailors: I came across your site and during the reading of it saw a comment by John T. Brent about his flight in an Edelweiss back in 1977. By coincidence I have just recently (6/9/04) bought that very plane N3008S and found Mr. Brents 1977 entry in the log book. I guess the world isn't quite as big as it seems. Thanks for your site and its contribution to our sport, "The sport too good for Kings" ".
- Larry D. Lively
"Congratulations on a wonderful web site. I just discovered it, and I suddenly remembered marvelous memories when my best friend and I spent a great summer at Harris Hill. We had a glorious time riding our bikes (mostly pushing near the top!) every morning, getting there early so we might volunteer to do any odd jobs for all the crews there. We took turns driving an old truck, retreiving the launch cord from one glider to the next. I remember we eventually got more or less hired(?) by a couple students from MIT. One would fly their glider, while the other operated their winch. It was a most memorable soaring meet as it was 1939, which included Peter Reidel(?) with his beautiful sailplane sporting Swastika on the tail; and Bob Stanley in his all-metal Nomad. Then after it was over we had a farewell picnic, and midway through it news came that Germany had invaded Poland. I didn't really mean to get so carried away here, but it was one of my fondest memories."
- Unsigned
"My first flight at Harris Hill was 20 AUG 1977. I flew the only EDELWEISS in the USA and had a Four Hour flight. The dive brakes were painted red on top and bottom and "The Garnett" called me to let me know he thought my dive brakes were open! It was a wonderful day with excellent soaring conditions. What a great soaring site. I hope to get there again soon. Hello to Corky, Moe and all the excellent pilots at Harris Hill."
- John T. Brent
" I was born and raised in the Buffalo, NY area. When I was a young girl, my family would drive through Elmira on the way to Scranton, PA to visit relatives. I'd gaze out the car window at the gliders in the sky and say, "Someday I'm going to do that." My mother would laugh and tell me, "Girls don't do such things". Today, approximately 30 years later, my dream came true as I soared over Harris Hill and it was thrilling beyond imagination. Although I am not in the position to pursue soaring on a regular basis at this time, I hope to someday obtain my glider pilot license."
- Debbie Stearns, Warsaw, NY USA
"Hello all. Corky Gill taught me to fly at Harris Hill in the early '70's. He must have done a good job, I am thinking of getting active again."
- Michael Teders, Merritt Island, FL USA
"I visited Harris Hill in high school and it was a lot of fun looking around the site and seeing some familiar names/faces. I recently started soaring again in the fall and re-soloed a few weeks back, flying out of Holister, CA. Maybe I'll be back to the Hill someday soon and take a flight for old times sake...contact me if you're ever looking to fly in California!"
- Bernd Wranik, South San Francisco, CA USA
"I have a privet pilot's certificate, and was wondering if I could learn to soar in a week in your club?"
- LaRue Allen, Grand Saline, TX USA
"Memories of Ed Jensen. I used to spend a bunch of time up there in the summer when he was still alive. I miss him and seeing this site brought back happy memeories!"
- Katie Cassavaugh, Rochester, NY USA
"There used to be a ski slope to the left of the hanger. I was a life guard at the pool that used to be right at the edge of the hill. The view from there was terrific. I enjoyed your site, especially the photos."
- Gene Roth, Fremont, CA USA
"I Had my first flight yesterday (8/26/02) with George Beyer in the ASK 21 and it was absolutly fantastic. Things were a little slow on the ground so I got to stay up a few extra minutes. I got the grand tour, George pointed out several landmarks and points of interest. I was treated very well by everyone and I truly enjoyed my flight. I hope to do it again in the near future."
- Charlie Prentice, Albion, NY USA
"I spent a Sunday on the hill watching some of the flyers glideing."
- Brent Hyden, Kermit, WV United States
"Last summer my husband and son went for a ride in a glider and they both LOVED it! Do you know if there is an airport in NJ that provides rides? Thanks!"
- Patty Alberalla, Flemington, NJ USA
"Note: You can find the location of a local soaring site where you can either take a glider ride or pursue flying lessons.
"Go to the Soaring Society of America's website at: http://www.ssa.org/contests/SoaringLocUpper.asp"
- HHSC WebMaster
"I grew up in Elmira and spent many hours with my father at the soaring meets, as he loved all kinds of aviation. When I recently found and viewed my dad's old 8mm films, there are home movies of the soaring meets in the 50's and 60's. I enjoyed the photos here on the website, as I misss the hills and color. Thank you."
- Christine Gallegos, Phoenix, AZ USA
"What a great time. I do not know why it took me so long to try it out. If you live in the area, it is a must do! Also, let my pilot, JOSH, know I said thanks!"
- Tony, Horseheads, NY USA
"I loved my flying experience this past Saturday (5/4/2002) at the club. I flew with Keith Beardslee in one of the Schleicher ASK21's and, except for minor 'queasiness' a couple of times, thought it was excellent (shouldn't have eaten!). I hope to do it again with my two kids sometime. Love that take-off!!!!!"
- Bob Schladebeck, Clay, NY USA
"I've heard a lot about soaring and Harris Hill from Archer Martin. Don't tell Arch, but I am actually thinking about trying soaring. I will be down to Harris Hill in the near future."
- Preston Pierce, Canandaigua, NY USA
"I am the son of Elwin "Bud" Cramer a long time member of H.H.S.C. I've been away doing the Air Force thing now for 4.5 years and just signed on for another 6. Doesnt look like I will be getting involved with the club again in the near future, but my father keeps me posted on whats going on at "the hill". I enjoy looking at the website from time to time so keep up the good work and keep the updates coming..."
- SrA Jason Cramer, Goldsboro, NC USA
"Enjoyed your site. I was the Senior Cadet Officer at the CAP Glider encampment, Summer of 1966. I have many wonderful memories of "The Hill"."
- Steven Banberger, Wantagh, NY USA
"I enjoyed your web site, keep up the good work."
- Tom Lewandoski, Port Crane, NY USA
"I took my first demonstration flight in July of 2001. What an experience, can't wait to come back this season for another flight. I didn't stop talking about it for an entire week."
- Chris Sharman, Horseheads, NY USA
"Hey, nice site. I never really got around to looking at the ole club website, pretty good job. I was a former member from 1995-99, and loved every minute of it. Soar high, all."
- Chris Vrabel, HHDS, NY USA
"I am very interested in your public glider rides for my husband. He is handicapped; he cannot use his legs or his right hand. His dream is to soar like a bird. Is it possible for someone with his limitations to go for a glider ride? He would have to be lifted into the glider. Please let me know if his dream could be realized..."
- Carole Wingerter, Fairview, PA USA
"Just wanted to check the site and let people know about it. So many people here are asking about Peter [Burdulis], the club, the soaring and whether or not there are memorials or news about Peter on the site. Just wanted to say "hi" and that you all were so much a part of his life - he loved to be at Harris Hill and each of you. Thanks so much for loving Becca. Love and happy flying!"
- Tex and Jan Elliott, Uvalde, TX USA
"I am the grandson of Floyd Sweet, native of Elmira and one of the first aviators on Harris Hill. I have enjoyed several visits to Harris Hill with my grandfather over the years and I enjoyed looking at the website. Floyd is as busy as ever, traveling and supporting soaring. Thank you."
- Troy Alexander, St. Paul, MN USA
"Excellent info available here at your website. Keep up the good work. I will learn to fly one day."
Pat Lidford-Cizdziel, Buffalo, NY USA
"We would like to hear from you about the services and facilities provided by Harris Hill Soaring Center. We would also like to hear about your soaring experiences here and elsewhere (whether as a soaring pilot, or as a sailplane rider), or your comments about our web site. Thank you for visiting us; we look forward to seeing you again."
Webmaster - Harris Hill Soaring, Elmira, NY USA
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