Fohnsdorf Startplatz 2

Fohnsdorf Startplatz 2 launches from 1,310 m in Austria on south and southwest winds, described as a simple, grass-meadow takeoff suitable equally for training, soaring and thermal flying — a straightforward site rather than a technical one. The one thing that isn't optional here: Fohnsdorf sits inside the Zeltweg MCTR, controlled airspace, so pilots must radio the tower and get clearance before launching, every time, regardless of how quiet the sky looks. The landing is on the eastern edge of the town of Fohnsdorf and is described as freely approachable, without the tight margins some sites demand. Between the gentle meadow launch and the easy landing, this reads as an accessible site for a range of skill levels — but the mandatory tower contact means it's not a spot to fly on autopilot; treat the airspace check as part of the pre-flight routine every time you're here.

Local rules & hazards

This site sits inside Zeltweg's controlled airspace (MCTR) — pilots must radio the tower and get clearance before every launch.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Fohnsdorf Startplatz 2, 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 Fohnsdorf Startplatz 2 with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.