The club guide, current officers, and landowner rules control.
Open official site guide ↗ROCHESTER AREA FLYERS / FLIGHT DECK
HAMMONDSPORT
Bath / Hammondsport, New York
Mountain soaring site · about 650–850 ft AGL
PERMANENT SITE QR / NO PILOT DATALIVE FLIGHT DECK
VERIFY STATUS BEFORE FLYING
No Rochester Area Flyers status message has been posted. Use the controlling club’s official channels and complete the required briefing.
Awaiting today’s controlling-club updateFLIGHT WATCH · VOLUNTARY REGIONAL PLANNING
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Flight Intent is planning information only. It is not physical check-in, eligibility, access permission, site opening, flight authorization, or a safety decision.
TODAY'S ENTRY POINT
Check before you fly.
Upper and lower abrupt slot/cliff launches with ridge and thermal soaring and a distant, hidden primary LZ.
Good direction rangeNW–N (300–360°)
Best directionNW–NNW (310–325°)
Controlled guidanceStatic outage fallback
Pilot requirementH3/P3; H2/P2 only under direct supervision by a site-familiar H3/P3+
LaunchPrimary coordinates 42.3718, -77.2768. Trees frame both slots; pilots need cliff-launch technique. Above 10 mph, a wire crew is recommended according to experience.
LandingMain LZ is behind Harvest Baptist Church, 7568 Route 54, about 0.9 mile away and not visible from launch; published upper-launch glide is 7.2:1.
STRUCTURED SITE BRIEFING
Know the whole site.
Private property: current RAF access, landowner-sensitive procedures and a site briefing apply.
Weather + terrain
- Official narrative ideal is 8–12 mph; table targets are HG 12 mph and PG 8 mph; recommended maximum 20 mph with 10 mph gust allowance.
- Westerly crosswind can disturb the slot; wait for the right cycle.
- Strong wind can limit penetration in the gully and produce ridge turbulence above 20 mph.
Access + stewardship
- Current RAF and USHPA membership required; all new-to-site pilots need a briefing.
- Leave the gate as found, drive slowly on the dirt road, stop at the cabin, and never drive beyond it.
- No pets, parties, fires, tree cutting, crop damage or invited spectators in operating areas.
- No mini-wings.
Hazards
- Abrupt cliff-like slot transition and tree-directed crosswind turbulence.
- Main LZ hidden by terrain; commit early when below launch.
- Venturi/sink in the gully, trees/buildings near LZs, Route 54 and tower powerlines, and pond/wetland near the HG emergency LZ.
Pilot requirements
- Use clear pilot/wire-crew communication.
- Land only in the designated Main or Emergency LZ and report any property concern to RAF.
- Respect church activity and keep parking, landing and breakdown areas clear.
Landing facts
- Upper launch 1760 ft MSL; lower 1720 ft; Main LZ 1100 ft.
- Emergency LZ below launch is rough, surrounded by trees and has a difficult equipment carry-out.
- Favor the uphill portion of the Main LZ, away from the church.
Source control
This summary supports planning. The current controlling-club guide, officers, landowner permission, site briefing and conditions in the field remain authoritative. Do not fly in rain or thunderstorms.
Read the complete official guide ↗DRIVE / MEET / RETRIEVE
Directions for Hammondsport.
Directions do not grant access. Verify current RAF status, permission, briefing, parking and vehicle procedures before traveling. Private property: current RAF access, landowner-sensitive procedures and a site briefing apply.
Hammondsport launch
42.3718,-77.2768
Harvest Baptist Church primary LZ
7568 Route 54, Bath, NY
EMERGENCY
Suspend flying, call 911, identify the launch or Harvest Baptist Church LZ, and provide first aid within your training.
Give the site name, exact location, access route, number of patients and known hazards. Emergency details must also remain printed at the physical site for use without cellular service.