Aviation: Chemung Valley´s Rich Heritage of Flight!

Chemung County is steeped in aviation history. The hills of the Chemung River Valley that inspired Mark Twain have also made Chemung County the Soaring Capital of America. The National Soaring Museum is located on Harris Hill - in the heart of Chemung County! Established in 1934, the National Soaring Museum now boasts the worlds largest sailplane collection and hosts a number of sailplane regattas and festivals each year which bring competitors from all corners of the globe. This nationally prominent museum displays 122 scale models of gliders flown in the United States from 1833 until today.

For those who would like to experience the thrill of soaring first hand, sailplane rides are available year round, weather permitting, through the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation and the Schweizer Soaring School. The view from the glider, or from the ground, is one of the most spectacular in New York State - if not anywhere!

The Elmira-Corning Regional Airport has been serving as the Gateway to Finger Lakes Wine Country since 1934. Located at the airport, the Wings of Eagles Museum (pictured at right) opened in the summer of 1998. A trip to the Wings of Eagles Museum is like a trip back in time, immersing the visitor into military aviation´s past - from the Golden Age of flight after WWI through the turbulence of the Vietnam era. The National Warplane Museum´s Annual Wings of Eagles® Air Show takes place every year mid-summer. The air show typically features more than 100 Military aircraft - from vintage WWII planes to ultra-modern jets - in the air and on the ground.

The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, located in nearby Hammondsport, captures the history of pre-Wright Brothers flight. Catch the pioneering spirit of the man who thrilled the world with his exploits on early motorcycles, dirigibles and airplanes. View historical aircraft, engines and an unequaled collection of Curtiss antique motorcycles.

The National Soaring Museum, the Wings of Eagles Warplane Museum, and the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum - truly a "three-point-landing" and unique collection of aviation history!

Come - soar with us in the beautiful Chemung River Valley!