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First Hangar for Gliders
to be Constructed at Harris Hill
This is in Year 'Round Use
For the Storage of Local Gliders [[image]]

fine and take-offs and landings are occurring with maximum speed and efficiency it is obvious that this fencing of the field is a necessary protection for both spectators and pilots. The operations officer has to concentrate on the activities of the ships and a spectator, if allowed on the actual operations area, might pass unnoticed into the path of an incoming plane or glider. When the weather is not suitable for soaring,  as sometimes happens, visitors have an opportunity to get a closer look at the craft and crews which make up this popular pasttime.

It has been the custom to commence each National Contest at Harris Hill with suitable opening ceremonies  in which Federal and State dignitaries, men prominent in political and military circles, industrial leaders and aviation officials take part. Local officials from the Chemung County Board of Supervisors, the City Council of Elmira, and men from the Soaring Society of America also do their part to lend meaning to the occasion. Many of these people are invited to speak on this occasion, their words being carries to the assembled public over a public address system and to many others through the local broadcasting facilities of station WENY (NBC, Mutual), which also broadcasts other programs concerning the contest. The ceremonies take place in front of the administration building, whose architecture combined with the style of the surrounding terrain makes a combination peculiarly fitted to affairs of this sort. 

Each day the motorless craft are carefully wheeled from the hangar to the launching area, where they are carefully inspected and readies for another day's soaring. Before launching, the pilots and crew members check every part of the ships to be absolutely certain just what strains the previous day's has imposed on the craft or what the coming flight may impose. To be doubly certaiin that each ship is readied, inspection forms must be filled out by one of the officials in charge who may do the actual ship inspection. When the ship is ready, the pilot must wear sufficient clothing to protect him against the cold of high altitudes, he must have maps to guide him on cross-country flights, sun glasses to protect his eyes, and even food to stave off his hunger when the flight is to be of considerable duration and the physical requirements try the pilot's stamina. In fact, about all the glider pilots does not have to concern himself about is an engine and fuel. 

While it is not expected that this methods will be used in the meet this year, winch launching has some distinct advantages. When soaring conditions are favorable and a great number of ships are ready for actual launching, it has been found possible to get the many ships into the air. 

[[image]]
Some of the Eleven Cabins Which House Pilots, Officials, and Crew Members Attending the National Soaring Contest