KATYDID SITE GUIDE
updated 3/16/23

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Overview
Type: southwest facing, eastern mountain site, near Chemung, NY
Geography: short forested ridge looking up the Chemung River valley and dropping off both sides
History: opened 1976 by FSF, flown continuously

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Launch
GPS Coordinates: 42.029411, -76.639702
Elevation: 1600’ MSL (750’ AGL)
Glide to LZ: 5:1
Minimum Ratings & Skills: H2/P2 (new H2/P2 w/ supervision) and FL
Best Wind direction/speed: WSW (250o), 10-15 mph (rotor/sink likely beyond 230⁰-270⁰ range). Can be safely flown in smooth straight-in (240⁰-260⁰) wind to 15-20 mph with gusts to 25 mph, smooth 30 degrees crossed wind to 12 mph.
Description: wide open grassy slope, starts at moderate steepness then drops off quickly, ideal for first mountain flights
Hazards: crowding due to topographical saddles on each side of launch effectively limiting the number of gliders using ridge lift; a high-tension powerline runs up the north side of the valley, about ¼ mile from launch
Access: across lawn then via dirt logging road, 2WD marginally sufficient when dry, 4WD w/ clearance when wet/rutted.
Parking: large clearing behind launch and setup area, space sufficient for eight to ten vehicles
Setup: area immediately behind launch, along both side tree lines, space sufficient for eight to ten gliders
Control: property is privately owned, launch is maintained by FSF, use is regulated by FSF, subject to terms & conditions of landowner agreement; landowner contact required beforehand

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Landing Zone
GPS Coordinates: 42.027270, -76.652823
Description: at a distance ¾ mile from launch; a level field in front of mountain, of sufficient size to be within nearly everyone’s flight envelope; bordered by a road on one side, a tree line on the side toward launch, and adjacent fields on the other sides
Hazards: telephone poles and powerline run along roadway on south side of LZ field; a high-tension powerline runs up the north side of the valley, about ½ mile from the LZ; crops may limit landing in summer to alternate fields available
Access: paved 2-lane public roadway bordering one side of field
Parking: along shoulder of paved roadway, comfortably accommodating six vehicles on one side
Teardown: area along south side of field away from main landing area, adjacent to roadside parking
Control: property is privately owned, LZ is maintained by owner and usually planted in crop, use is regulated by FSF, subject to terms & conditions of landowner agreement

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Protocol
Visiting pilots/new members must be accompanied by Board-designated LOCAL members for access, site briefing, and flight activity. Convene in parking area alongside LZ, plant a windsock in its center, transfer equipment (carpool as convenient to minimize traffic).In order to fly the privately-owned site, landowner Rick Stroman must be contacted for permission, typically obtained by lead vehicle stopping at his house enroute to launch access road. Consistent with
restrictions noted, do not disturb during hunting season. Avoid spinning tires and rutting trail during wet or muddy conditions (if tires spin, walk it in). On launch, place wind indicators in the slot. If the completion of flying and vehicle retrieval occurs after dark, trailing vehicle should notify landowner that everyone is down.

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XC Options
XC potential is good. An abundance of fields (potential LZs) behind the mountain make it easy and fun to XC from here, the longest flight to date reported to be 84 miles. Aside from the 5-mile distant hop over the back to Blue Swan airport (now closed), XC flights have been so infrequent that no defined route options, waypoints or LZs for landing out have been established.

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Restrictions
The site is closed – without exception - for NY hunting season from the end of November through the beginning of December. The site may be occasionally closed should crops occupy alternate fields in addition to the primary LZ.

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Contact
Safety Director: Jim Kolynich, 435 Draht Hill Rd, Elmira, NY 14901 (607-732-0034)
 

Site Rules

• You must be a member in good standing of Free Spirit Flight Hang Gliding Club, Inc. (Club) and a current member of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA).

• To fly a hang glider or paraglider at any mountain sites, you must be at minimum a supervised USHPA-rated Novice or Class 2, respectively. 

• Tandem flying requires appropriate USHPA Tandem Ratings for the pilot and USHPA membership for the passenger.

• Visiting instructors must be USHPA Certified Instructors and have contacted the Club before bringing students.

• Glider and harness must be airworthy, subject to inspection by an Instructor, Observer, or Safety Director.

• An emergency parachute and helmet must be worn; however, the requirement for a parachute may be waived by an instructor or Observer for a non-soaring training flight.

• The use of powered hang gliders, powered paragliders, and paragliding mini-wings are not permitted.

• Pilots must be accompanied by a Club-designated LOCAL member unless prior arrangements have been made with a director. 

• It is strongly recommended that no pilot fly alone; however, Club members in good standing may use their own judgment and fly alone, provided they have at least an Intermediate (H3, P3) rating and a person able to call for help is present.

• Identify the current landing zone since designated landing areas are subject to seasonal change. Identify applicable Airport Control Zones, Restricted Areas, and No-fly Areas.

• Obtain permission from the landowner to enter their land and use the site. Even if permitted to drive in, do not proceed further if tires begin to spin.

• Observe mitigation measures proscribed by site-specific risk assessment plan.

• Before initiating and after completing flight activities at Harris Hill and Indian Cliffs - sites within “Controlled D” airspace - contact the Control Tower at the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport (607-739-1971).

• Do not go to launch without explicit permission.

• Use of ATV’s and dirt bikes are prohibited.

• Do not leave trash, litter, or waste products.

• Fires are forbidden.

• Show no disrespect to landowners or their property.

• There is no hunting allowed on Harris Hill.