Viewing page 49 of 83
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
25th ANNIVERSARY NATIONAL SOARING CONTEST Elmira, New York, the cradle of national glider meets will welcome a very grown-up soaring movement to its birthplace next July 2-14, when the 1955 National Soaring Contest takes place on Harris Hill, 25 years after the first National Meet. Already one enterprising pilot-contestant has filed his entrance application. He is none other than Steve Bennis of the Metropolitan-Airhoppers Soaring Association of New York City and Wurtsboro. The weekend of July 2-4 will be observed as the Silver Jubilee of gliding and soaring in the Elmira Area. Appropriate ceremonies opening the 22nd Nationals are scheduled for July 4, with contest competition starting the 5th and extending thru the 13th. The final wind-up and the awards banquet will take place on July 14. In addition to the National Soaring Championship awards, a substantial number of other cash and merchandise prizes will be made for top proficiency in the various phases of motorless flight as demonstrated during the meet. Full Program Planned by Sponsoring Group The Elmira Area Soaring Corporation, sponsor of the 22nd Nationals, is planning to go all out in providing a period of soaring and social activities for the enjoyment of the participants and visitors attending the meet. Attractions for spectators as well as for contestants and crews are expected to be in keeping with the Silver Anniversary spirit. An ideal Summer vacation can be enjoyed by families and individuals who are to be guests of Elmira and vicinity during the contest. In addition to the meet itself, many nearby points of interest will be available for sidetrips from Harris Hill...such as Watkins Glen, Seneca Lake, Corning Glass Center, Sullivan Monument, and others. Objective: A Really Nation-wide Contest Our Annual Soaring Competitions have not been national in the full sense of the word, since the majority of the contestants at these meets usually come from the section of the country where the contest is being held. There are, of course, some who came from the other parts of the country, but they are in the minority due to the great distances they had to travel and the cost and time required to compete. In an effort to help make the contest more national, the EASC instituted a new idea a few years back, of having a ten day meet which starts on a Tuesday and ends on a Thursday. This gives three days at each [[...(continued below image)]] [[image]][[caption: Harris Hill, Elmira, home of gliding, and one of the most beautiful soaring sites in the country, celebrates its silver anniversary.]] [[...]]end for traveling, which makes it possible for everyone to do it in a two-week vacation period. This made it possible for more of the pilots to attend, and was a step in the right direction. Travel Fund Will Help The cost problem is a more difficult one since financing of the National Contest is still very much a problem. However, this year the EASC is setting up a travel fund for the top ten pilots of the last three national contests. Since these were held in Texas, New York and California, we think it would seem to be very fair. The EASC has started out by guaranteeing a minimum of $.01 per mile for the round trip airline distance from the contestant's base of operation to Elmira. The Elmira Junior Association of Commerce is starting a drive to build up this fund into a more imposing amount and it is hoped that this will help at least partially to answer the cost problem, and encourage the pilots to attend so that it will be a real National Contest. Requirements We all dream of the day when the Nationals will be truly a National Soaring competition. Perhaps it will be some day, with the requirements stating that to be eligible one must have qualified in the most recent regional competition. Until this day comes we will continue with our policy of giving everyone that comes a crack at the championship. The Contest Committee however, feels that since national competitions and cross country flying are synonymous, the minimum requirement should be that each contestant shall have made at least his Silver "C" distance leg or have equivalent flying experience. In order to help those who have not yet met these qualifications, it is planned to have a pre-contest practice period from June 27 thru July 1. This also will be the time for those who have not flown from Harris Hill to check out. Each pilot planning to compete should make sure his ship is properly licensed before he leaves home and that he has his three ship's papers with him: Airworthiness Certificate, Registration, and Weight and Balance. This will prevent delay. Rules Bob Smith has accepted the Chairmanship of the Rules Committee. He is getting together a competent group to arrive at an agreeable set of rules. If you have any strong convictions in this direction, let Bob know before April 1st. His address is: Robert B. Smith, Box 38, Ulster, Pa. Typical problems facing the Rules Committee are: (a) Should altitude be counted? If so, is it worth requiring each contestant to have a baro- [[(Continued on Page 17)]] 14 SOARING
Transcription Notes:
image: aerial shot of Harris Hill glideport
