the outstanding senior member award the outstanding senior member award presented annually to senior...

The Outstanding Senior Member AwardThe Outstanding Senior Member Award

Presented annually to Senior members who perform the most outstanding service and contributions to the Harris Hill Soaring programs, above and

beyond their normal duties and responsibilities.

Year Award Recipient1979 John E. Gill “Corky”1979 Isacco Valli1980 Kenneth J. Swila1981 Paul H. Everson1982 John E. Gill “Corky”1983 Elwin Cramer “Bud”1984 William Gallagher “Bill”1985 Pat Ryan1986 Virginia Schweizer 1987 Dale L. Gustin and Bud Cramer1988 John Trimber1989 Clarence See1990 John Trimber1991 Gregg Leslie

The Outstanding Senior Member AwardThe Outstanding Senior Member Award contcont..

Year Award Recipient

1992 Edward “Ed” Jensen

1993 H. Weissenbuehler Jr.

1994 Roy McMaster and Ed Schwenkler

1995 Sid Zigas and J. Trimble

1996 Tom Cassetta and Jeff Moersch

1997 Stephen Garner

1998 Tom Cassetta

1999 Heinz Weissenbuehler, Jr, and Monty Sullivan

2000 Karin Schlosser

2001 Kai Gertsen

2002 Rodney Hubbard

2003 Janell Sullivan

2004 Josh Burczynski

The Speckman Outstanding Junior Member AwardThe Speckman Outstanding Junior Member Award• The Outstanding Junior Member Award is presented annually to Junior

members who perform the most outstanding service and contributions to the Harris Hill Junior's program and HHSC.

• The Awards Committee will adhere to the following criteria in awarding the Speckman Award. The Junior member should consistently:

– 1. Be present for their assigned duties.

– 2. Assist with duties when not scheduled (i.e., filling-in).

– 3. Keep their financial standing within the prescribed HHSC limits.

– 4. Contribute above and beyond their normal duties and responsibilities.

• The award will be presented at the annual Snowbird Contest banquet. A trophy with their name on it will be displayed in the showcase in the flight center, and a $100 stipend will be credited to their accounts.


19691969 Anne BywaterAnne Bywater19701970 Victor OwenVictor Owen19711971 Steven SliwaSteven Sliwa19721972 Steven SliwaSteven Sliwa19731973 Anne BotheAnne Bothe19741974 David Sliwa & Monty SullivanDavid Sliwa & Monty Sullivan19751975 Heinze Weissenbuehler Jr.Heinze Weissenbuehler Jr.19761976 Susan SliwaSusan Sliwa1977 David Gardner & David Robbins1978 Sheldon Hunt &Tomothy Walker1979 David Gardner1980 Janel Salva1981 Shannon Murphy1982 Eric Golden1983 Sean Murphy1984 Frank Manarchik & Ron Russo1985 Eric Krause

1986 Daniel Gross

Speckman Outstanding Junior Member Award cont.Speckman Outstanding Junior Member Award cont.

Speckman Outstanding Junior Member Award cont.Speckman Outstanding Junior Member Award cont.

Year Award Recipient1987 Thomas Cassetta1988 Michael Williams1989 Eric Davenport1990 John Edwards1991 Suzanne Beyer1992 E “Liz” Schwenkler1993 David Graham

1994 Cindy Williams1995 David Graham and Steven Lewis1996 Chris Vrabel and David Pangia1997 Stephen Garner1998 David Graham and Steven Lewis1999 Josh Burczynski2000 Josh Burczynski2001 Adam Hay2002 Gregory Rosplock2003 Ryan Smith and Nick Wirz2004 Kevin Kremer

The Bernie Carris Memorial AwardThe Bernie Carris Memorial Award

Bernie Carris was a long-time soaring pilot. He was the chief flight instructor at the Schweizer Aircraft Soaring School and an avid competition pilot. In 1960 he placed second in the National Soaring Contest, and in 1963 he lost the national Championship by only six points. Bernie introduced thousands of people to soaring, and some were quite famous. To mention a few: Cliff Robertson, Werner Von Braun, Hugh Downs, and Bob Cullen.

This memorial in his name will be awarded to all HHSC Junior members who complete the 5 hour leg of their Silver Badge. The Memorial Fund will pay for the sailplane rental and aero tow flown to complete their flight. HHSC and FAI rules do apply.

The flight must be a successful FAI approved flight for the Badge leg attempted. Financial credit will be applied to the pilot's account upon approval of the flight. The pilots will also be recognized at the annual Snowbird Contest.

Bernie Carris Memorial Award cont.Bernie Carris Memorial Award cont.


1996 Mark Glauner

1997 Justin Poet and Peter Burdulis

1998 - not awarded -

1999 Josh Burczynski

2000 Nick LaRose


2002 Samuel Reger



• The Joseph C. Lincoln Memorial Award was established by Harris Hill Soaring Corporation, Elmira, NY in memory of Joseph C. Lincoln. whose writings about soaring did so much to get people started in the sport of soaring. His books, "Soaring for Diamonds”, “On Quiet Wings,” and "Soaring on the Wind”, as well as the many articles he wrote, are the inspiration for this award.

• Joe was a major supporter of the National Soaring Museum (NSM) and soaring in general. His generous contributions to the NSM during the 1970’s made it possible to hire a Director and start construction of a new building. He also donated two sailplanes to NSM. a Schweizer SGS 2-32 and an SGS 1-23.

• The Harris Hill Soaring Corporation (HHSC), in conjunction with the NSM, decided to set up the “Lincoln Award” when Joe passed away in May of 1975. Mrs. Dorothy Lincoln-Smith, Joe’s wife, was on hand to help in the awarding of the first “Lincoln Award” to Jim George for his article “Two Final Glides.” The award consists of a crystal glass cube with a flying eagle engraved on it, a 100 dollar stipend and the honor bestowed on the author.

The Joseph C. Lincoln Memorial AwardThe Joseph C. Lincoln Memorial Award

The criteria used to select the winning writing are:1. Must be interesting.2. Should be in the style of Joe Lincoln's writing.3. Should encourage the reader to join in the sport of soaring.4. Must be published in the English language.

Books, poems, magazine articles, newsletter articles may be submitted. They must have been published between July 1 of the previous year through June 30 of the year of the award. Entries should be presented to the awards committee by October 1st of the year of the award. Names of the recipients of the award will be announced at the annual Snowbird Contest Banquet at Harris Hill in November. The actual award will be presented at the SSA Convention when possible. Some of these works may be available through the National Soaring Museum's collections.

Joseph C. Lincoln Memorial Award cont.Joseph C. Lincoln Memorial Award cont.

Year Award Recipient Title1975 Jim George "Two Long Final Glides"1976 Gren Seibels "A Gaggle of One" - Book1977 John Joss "Sierra Sierra" - Book1978 (no record) (no record)1979 Robert Gray "Down and Out"1980 Geraldine Silveira "Motel 1-26"1981 Don Santee "Soaring Colorado Plateau"1982 Robert Gannon "P.S. Editor Helps Set World Record"1983 David Harris "An Ordinary Day at the Field"1984 Gren Seibels "After All" - Book1985 Christopher Woods "Quiet Challenge" - Movie Script1986 Roy McMaster "Four on the Floor"1986 Karl Striedieck "Four on the Floor"1986 John Seymour "Four on the Floor"1986 Robby Robertson "Four on the Floor"1987 Doug Jacobs "Benediction"1988 Paul A. Schweizer "Wings Like Eagles" - Book

The Joseph C. Lincoln Memorial Award cont.The Joseph C. Lincoln Memorial Award cont.

1989 Jack Green "Sunshine and Shadows of Soaring"1990 Charlie Spratt "Sailplane Racing News"1991 Sergio Colacevich "Infinite Flight"1992 (no record) (no record)1993 Billy Hill "Team Flying and Low Time Race Pilots"1994 Scott Jenkins "On Winter's Trail"1995 Pat Valdata “Just Like a Hawk”1996 Paddy Welles “Gramma Learns to Fly”1997 Burt Whelan "Cloud Dancing" - Book1998 Sanjay Acharaya "Soaring Ashram in the Estrellas"1999 Paddy Welles "As Good as it Gets"2000 Silver Anniversary Michael Bird "Platypus Papers" - Book2001 Gary Fogel "Wind and Wings" - Book2002 William E. Gallagher "The Colditz Cock and the Great Escape Scenario."

- NSM Journal Article2003 Wallace A. Scott "The Preparation and Execution of

Long Distance Flights"

Year Award Recipient Title

Joseph C. Lincoln Memorial Award cont.Joseph C. Lincoln Memorial Award cont.

Tom Smith Memorial Team Trophy for SnowbirdTom Smith Memorial Team Trophy for Snowbird

• The Tom Smith Memorial Team Trophy for the Snowbird Contest was arranged by the family of Tom Smith using two kiwi birds he had won at previous HHSC Snowbird Contests.

• Tom always enjoyed the Snowbird Contest, to once again fly with his friends before winter set in. He was always enthusiastic about promoting team flying. Therefore, this trophy is given in memory of Tom, and is awarded to the highest placing Family Team in the annual HHSC Snowbird Contest.

Tom Smith Memorial Team Trophy for Snowbird cont.Tom Smith Memorial Team Trophy for Snowbird cont.Year Award Recipient

1994 Tim and Paddy Welles

1995 Tim and Paddy Welles

1996 Charles Mampe and Hank Nixon

1997 Kyle Schweizer and Shane Lese

1998 Kyle Schweizer and Shane Lese

1999 Monty and Cory Sullivan

2000 Guerry and Jason Howard

2001 Jim and Warren Cramer

2002 Tim and Andy Wells

2003 = not awarded =

2004 Justin and Roy McMaster

The Christian Jansen AwardThe Christian Jansen Award• The Christian Jansen Award is given in honor of Christian Jansen who was a member

of Harris Hill Soaring Corporation in the 1970's and early 1980's. Christian was a citizen of France and was in the USA on assignment (Corning, Inc.) for several years. He was an active member of HHSC, and was especially well known for his many hours spent flying cross country.

• Sadly, Christian was killed in a glider accident in Spain about a year after returning to France.

• The Christian Jansen Award is awarded annually according to the following criteria:

• 1) The longest FAI badge flight by an HHSC member from Harris Hill. In the case of multiple qualifying flights of the same distance, the Awards Committee will evaluate other factors to determine the winner. These additional factors may include other FAI Badge flights and other documented cross country flights.

• 2) From time to time, the Awards Committee may elect to present the Award for other major cross country achievements by an HHSC member, such as NY state or World Records.


1994 Jason Howard

1995 Liz Schwenkler

1996 Jason Howard

1997 Justin Poet

1998 not awarded

1999 Tim Welles

2000 Tom Cassetta

2001 John Fessenden

2002 Roy McMaster

2003 Ron Waclawik

2004 not awarded

Christian Jansen Award cont.Christian Jansen Award cont.

The Joseph R. Scott "Missing Man" Memorial FundThe Joseph R. Scott "Missing Man" Memorial Fund

• The Joseph R. Scott "Missing Man" Memorial Award is presented in honor of all departed pilots and friends who have experienced the thrills and wonders of soaring flight. The proceeds of this Fund will be used to support the Junior members of Harris Hill Soaring Corporation, so that we may re-seed the skies with replacement soaring pilots.

• All HHSC Junior members are eligible. The Fund will pay for the approved flight which accomplishes the requirements for the FAI Altitude and Distance legs of the FAI Silver Badge, per FAI requirements. Documented proof must be submitted to the Fund Committee prior to November 1st of the year of the flight.


1996 Steve Lewis

1997 Justin Poet








Joseph R. Scott "Missing Man" Memorial Fund cont.Joseph R. Scott "Missing Man" Memorial Fund cont.

• Since 1978 the NSM has annually presented a scholarship in Hugh Whitney’s name. Hugh was Paul Schweizers’s crew chief at the 1952 World Championships in Spain; the United States Championships in England; the United States team manager for the 1963 World Championships in Argentina.

• Hugh fell in love with soaring at an early age. He earned his “C” badge #190 in 1952 with a flight to Binghamton in a Schweizer 2-22. Hugh graduated from Cornell with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1955. He died of cancer in October 1968. Hugh’s parents, the late Maurice and Isabel Whitney of Elmira, were also long time patrons of soaring at Harris Hill.

• The scholarship was established by Hugh’s childhood friend Doug Bruce in 1978 for all those who have a lifetime commitment to soaring. It is hoped recipients of the award have the same love of soaring as Hugh and have the same motivation and opportunity to pursue the sport.

Hugh Whitney AwardHugh Whitney Award

1978 Andrew Frechtling 1992 Gregg Leslie

1979 Elwin Cramer 1993 Michael Snyder

1980 Paul Detwiler and Susan Sliwa 1994 Josh Powers

1981 Tim Walker 1995 Steve Garner

1982 Michael Murphy 1996 Steve Garner

1983 No Award 1997 Elizabeth Schwenkler

1984 Terry Wheat 1998 Diana Winebold

1985 Tony Spycher 1999 Mark Doyle

1986 Linda Downie 2000 Jim Webb

1987 Dorianne Scriven 2001 Elizabeth Brock

1988 Thomas Cassetta 2002 Joel Carberry

1989 Hugh Caffey 2003 Steve DeMartino

1990 Jason Kirk 2004 Todd Knapp

1991 Michael Snyder

Hugh Whitney Memorial Scholarship Award Hugh Whitney Memorial Scholarship Award RecipientsRecipients

• Dr. Frank Gross believes that the future of soaring lies in its youth, so he created the Gross Sky Ghost Youth Achievement Award in 1991. The Award recognizes the accomplishments of youth up to age 19 who are working to become sailplane pilots.

• Dr. Gross wants to assist young glider pilots in their careers with this award. In years to come he sees the results as being a greater recognition of the sport of soaring.

• The Youth Achievement Awards are being given annually to a Harris Hill Junior member and a National Soaring Society of America Student member. The award includes a $500.00 scholarship to further the recipient’ soaring and aviation career or avocation. A plaque in the NSM lists the recipients.

Gross AwardGross Award

1991 HH David R. Graham Natl Kurt Asdal

1992 HH Steven Lewis Natl Margarita Brito

Frederick G. Ernsting

1993 HH No Recipient Natl David Graham Shanon G. Udd

1994 HH Elizabeth Schwenkler Natl Kelly Sargent

Tim Liprie

1995 HH Cindy Williams Natl Shauna Hodgins Nathan Moloy1996 - Mark Glauner1997 - Justin Poet1998 - Josh Burczynski1999 - Michael Rought2000 - Todd Knapp2001 - Ryan Smith2002 - Anthony Brayer2003 - no award2004 - Nick Wirz

Gross Award Award RecipientsGross Award Award Recipients

Tom Smith Memorial Trophy for Region IIITom Smith Memorial Trophy for Region III

• The Tom Smith Memorial Trophy for Region III is awarded to the most improved pilot comparing the first day's placing to the final overall placing at the Region III contest. The Smith family feels that this type of award best exemplifies the pattern that Tom flew as a contestant.

• Tom was a member of Harris Hill Soaring Corporation for forty years, and took an active part in promoting soaring and competitive flying. A heart attack at a Region III contest took his life in 1988, so it is fitting that the family chose the painting of Harris Hill to symbolize a special place in Tom's life. The painting was created by a close friend of the family.

Tom Smith Memorial Trophy for Region III cont.Tom Smith Memorial Trophy for Region III cont.


1989 David Welles

1990 Marie Pirone

1991 Jonathan Gere

1992 Rick Laffford

1993 = none =

1994 Tim Mara

1995 Tim Welles

1996 Liz Schwenkler

1997 Ken Kurchinski

1998 Ed Winchester

Trophy has been retired

Other 2005 H.H.S.C. AchievementsOther 2005 H.H.S.C. AchievementsAndy Brayer Bronze, Silver C, Private PilotDebbie Burgess A,B,CJoel Carberry B,C, BronzeJerry Carlton A, New SoloBob Davenport A,B,CSteve Dimartino A,B,CBrian Doane A,B,C, New SoloKen Doyle A,B New SoloMark Doyle A,B,CNikolay Filipou A,B,C, Bronze Badge, Silver Badge, Private PilotEd Funk A,B,C New Solo, Private PilotAdam Hay A,B,CTodd Knapp A,B,C. Bronze Badge, Commercial Nathan Kramer Bronze BadgeKevin Kremer A,B,CMike McCann A,B,C, New SoloSkip Shaw A, New SoloRyan Smith Bronze Badge, CommercialCorey Sullivan Silver C, Private PilotRandy Thibeault A,B,CMark VanDyke A, New SoloJim Webb A,B,CNicholas Wirz A,B,C, Private PilotEwe Zink A,B,C, New Solo

the outstanding senior member award the outstanding senior member award presented annually to senior...

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