Planai Startplatz 3

Planai Startplatz 3 is a scenic launch above the Enns valley in Styria, at about 1,848 m, with takeoffs from both the mid-station and the mountain station reached by cable car. The launch itself sits in a forest clearing on a meadow just below the summit, flyable in east or northwest wind. Advanced altitude-flight training is run from this mountain, so pilots doing structured cross-country or high-altitude instruction share the hill with casual visiting flights. The landing meadow lies northeast of Schladming, next to the railway line, and is generally straightforward — the one thing to watch is a strong valley wind on final approach. There's a real routing hazard worth knowing before you fly in a strong east wind, though: don't fly out over Schladming itself, because from there the landing field becomes impossible to reach, leaving you without a safe option. After landing, it's a walk back to the valley station of the cable car.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff in a forest clearing on a meadow just below the Planai summit, reached via the mid- or mountain-station cable car; flown in east or northwest wind.

Getting there & local rules

Ride the cable car up to either the mid-station or mountain-station takeoff; after landing, it's a walk back to the valley station.

Local rules & hazards

In a strong east wind, don't fly out over Schladming — from there, the landing field can no longer be reached. On final approach to the landing meadow northeast of Schladming, watch for a strong valley wind; otherwise the landing is generally straightforward.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Planai Startplatz 3, 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 Planai Startplatz 3 with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.