Meiringen – Planplatten – 2240

Meiringen – Planplatten launches at 2,226 m in the Bernese Oberland, reached by gondola from Meiringen, and is a strong thermal, soaring and cross-country site thanks to its height and the terrain around it. The one complication that shapes almost every flight here is airspace: there's a military airfield at Unterbach/Meiringen nearby, and the surrounding structure is genuinely complex, so flying without running into restrictions is really only straightforward on weekends. Check current Swiss airspace and active danger areas before flying rather than guessing. The landing field is a large open area east of Meiringen, about ten minutes from the gondola on foot — there's no parking there at all, so plan to leave the car at the cable car station instead. One specific hazard to know before committing: in strong west winds, this landing zone develops a venturi effect, so treat a westerly as a reason for extra caution on the approach rather than a routine crosswind.

Launch & conditions

Strong thermal, soaring and cross-country site. Airspace here is genuinely complex — a military airfield sits nearby at Unterbach/Meiringen, so flying is straightforward mainly on weekends; check current Swiss airspace and active danger areas before flying.

Getting there & local rules

Reached by gondola from Meiringen. The landing field, about 10 minutes from the gondola, has no parking — leave the car at the cable car station instead.

Local rules & hazards

In strong west winds, the landing field develops a venturi effect — treat a westerly with extra caution on approach. Check current Swiss airspace and active danger areas before flying, given the nearby military airfield.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Meiringen – Planplatten – 2240, 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 Meiringen – Planplatten – 2240 with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.