Aineck

Aineck is an Austrian launch at about 2,066 m with an unusually wide 360-degree takeoff, usable in almost any wind direction except strong southerly wind — which at this site means foehn, and foehn is treated as a real hazard here rather than just another direction to avoid. The mountain is well set up for thermals, ridge soaring, cross-country and hike-up approaches, and it's reached by the Katschbergbahn cable car, though in summer that only runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and hang gliders cannot be carried on it. One rule applies to every flight regardless of direction: the gondola and lift lines must be overflown with a safety margin of at least 100 metres, no exceptions. Landing is at the LZ by the clubhouse. Between the wide launch window and the XC/thermal rating, this is a serious mountain for pilots comfortable reading foehn risk and respecting the lift clearance rule.

Getting there & local rules

Reached by the Katschbergbahn cable car, which in summer runs only Monday, Wednesday and Friday; hang gliders cannot be carried on it.

Local rules & hazards

The launch is usable from almost any direction except strong southerly wind, which means foehn here — a real hazard, not just another direction to avoid. Every flight must overfly the gondola and lift lines with a safety margin of at least 100 metres.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Aineck, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Aineck with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.