Blankenhain (Übungshang)

Blankenhain is a training hill (Übungshang) in Thuringia, Germany, launching from around 446 m into wind from the north. As a dedicated Übungshang, it's built for the low, short flights pilots use to practice launches, control and landings early in training, rather than for altitude or distance. The site sits inside protected countryside — it borders a legally recognized biotope under Thuringia's nature conservation law — so pilots are asked to be mindful of the ground they walk and fly over. It's the kind of low-key, north-facing slope that suits a calm training session rather than a big cross-country day: short glides, repeatable circuits, and enough height to work fundamentals under supervision. Because it's a training-oriented hill in a protected area, expect any local school or club running sessions there to brief specific access and conduct rules on-site.

Local rules & hazards

The site borders a protected biotope under Thuringia's nature conservation law (§18 ThürNatG); pilots should keep to the field edges when walking back to launch so as not to disturb it.

Check conditions before you fly

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