Schöckel Startplatz 1

Schöckel Startplatz 1 sits at 1,419 m where the Alps taper off to the east, close to Graz, Austria — one of the more scenic flying spots in the area, reachable by cable car followed by a short walk to the main (south-east) launch. Only north-west wind works here. The landing field is fairly large but slopes downhill to the south and gets crowded in thermic conditions when several pilots land at once, so it's worth walking the field before riding the cable car up rather than discovering it mid-approach; a cable car line, road, car park and power lines all cross nearby and need watching on the way in. Cross-country flights are possible but not straightforward, and maximum altitude is capped by the nearby Graz control zone — check the local airspace rules (SRA Graz) before flying. A landing fee applies, payable at the cable car restaurant or to the site's operating club.

Local rules & hazards

For wildlife protection, launching is only allowed from two hours after sunrise until two hours before sunset. Maximum flying altitude is restricted by the nearby Graz control zone, so check the local airspace rules before flying. The landing field slopes south and gets tight when several pilots land at the same time in thermic conditions; a cable car line, road, car park and power lines all cross the approach.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Schöckel Startplatz 1, 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 Schöckel Startplatz 1 with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.