The club guide, current officers, and landowner rules control.
Open official site guide ↗FREE SPIRIT FLIGHT / FLIGHT DECK
INDIAN CLIFFS
Big Flats / Elmira, New York
Mountain soaring site · about 750 ft AGL
PERMANENT SITE QR / NO PILOT DATALIVE FLIGHT DECK
VERIFY STATUS BEFORE FLYING
No Free Spirit Flight 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.
A steep NNE slot above a cliff/compression zone in Elmira Class D airspace, with a rotor-prone LZ behind Harris Hill.
Good direction rangeN–NE (350–045°)
Best directionNNE (010–020°)
Controlled guidanceStatic outage fallback
Pilot requirementFSF + USHPA; H3/P3 with FL, H2/P2 only under supervision
Launch42.089599, -76.918885 at 1650 ft MSL. Landowner contact is required; use 4WD to launch and stop if tires spin.
Landing42.100683, -76.916996, about 0.5 mile away with a 4:1 glide; 15-acre hayfield subject to rotor, switching wind and seasonal tall hay.
STRUCTURED SITE BRIEFING
Know the whole site.
Closed October through February; in May, closed until noon for turkey season. Verify exact annual dates and current landowner permission.
Weather + terrain
- Best NNE 015°, 5–12 mph; published sector 350–045°.
- Guide describes smooth straight-in 010–020° to 15 mph and smooth 30° crosswind to 10 mph.
- Compression and steep terrain can make upward air easy to underestimate; late-day wonder wind is common.
Access + stewardship
- Current FSF and USHPA membership, LOCAL accompaniment, landowner contact and site briefing required.
- Call Elmira Tower before and after flight activity.
- Drive slowly past the neighbor, protect lawn/trail, and walk equipment if tires spin.
- No powered wings or PG mini-wings; observe the seasonal closure.
Hazards
- Turbulent/crosswind slot, underestimated compression, blown launches and tree landings.
- LZ rotor and switching direction in Harris Hill’s lee; shaded/moist areas can produce unexpected sink.
- Tall hay and seasonal field condition can make the primary LZ unsuitable; confirm alternatives.
Pilot requirements
- Elmira Tower: 607-739-1971 before and after operations.
- Current landowner permission before committing to an ETA.
- Seasonal closure overrides any favorable forecast.
Landing facts
- Harris Hill LZ may be an alternative only with sufficient altitude and current briefing.
- Park on the LZ-side shoulder and tear down along the north edge.
- Identify current LZ and all Class D/no-fly boundaries before launch.
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 Indian Cliffs.
Directions do not grant access. Verify current FSF status, permission, briefing, parking and vehicle procedures before traveling. Closed October through February; in May, closed until noon for turkey season. Verify exact annual dates and current landowner permission.
Indian Cliffs launch
42.089599,-76.918885
Indian Cliffs primary LZ
42.100683,-76.916996
EMERGENCY
Call 911, stop flying, coordinate the Elmira Class D response, and follow the current FSF Emergency Action Plan.
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.