Blomberg Startplatz Ost

Blomberg's east launch drops pilots into demanding forest corridors rather than an open slope, and the rules here reflect that: training flights toward an A-licence aren't run from this launch, and every pilot gets briefed on the site's specifics before a first flight. Cross-country runs out into the flatland are a real draw — reaching the Greiling gliding airfield is a common line — but a protected valley to the west (home to capercaillie and hazel grouse) is off-limits below 400 m, so any flight staying low has to plan its altitude to reach the landing field outside that zone. The landing itself, at a lake called Stallauer Weiher, is demanding in its own right. Tandem launches don't happen from the northeast corridor at all, and from the northwest one they need turbulence-free conditions, at least 10 km/h of headwind, and a pre-planned abort line. The last launch of the day comes half an hour after the cable car stops running.

Launch & conditions

Training flights toward an A-licence aren't run from this launch, and every pilot gets briefed on the site's demanding forest-corridor specifics before a first flight.

Getting there & local rules

The last launch of the day comes half an hour after the cable car stops running, typically around 6 p.m. in summer.

Local rules & hazards

A protected valley to the west, home to capercaillie and hazel grouse, is off-limits to overflight below 400 m, so any low flight must plan its altitude to reach the landing field outside that zone. Tandem launches don't happen from the northeast corridor at all, and the northwest one needs turbulence-free conditions and at least 10 km/h of headwind.

Check conditions before you fly

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