Am Knippe

Am Knippe is a small training ground in western Germany built specifically for kiting and glider-handling practice, with only about 30 meters of height difference between top and bottom — this is a ground-school site, not a place to fly cross-country. The local flying school is responsible for briefing students carefully enough that all activity stays within the designated launch and landing areas. The surrounding hedges, tree rows and fruit trees are protected and must not be disturbed by flying activity, and no ground shaping, built structures, paved paths or car parks are allowed on site. Because there's no landing option beyond the boundary of the registered plots, every landing has to stay within them. The ground is left tidy after each practice day — rubbish collected and taken away — and any fences or other hazards to flying are cleared before use.

Launch & conditions

A ground-handling and kiting practice slope with roughly 30 m of height difference — built for controlled exercises, not cross-country flying.

Getting there & local rules

Landings must stay within the designated plots — there's no landing space beyond their boundary. The local flying school briefs students to keep all activity inside the marked launch and landing areas.

Local rules & hazards

Surrounding hedges, tree rows and fruit trees are protected and must not be disturbed. No ground shaping, built structures, paved paths or parking areas are permitted on site, and the ground must be left tidy after each practice day.

Check conditions before you fly

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