Die Hardt

Die Hardt is a winch and aerotow flatland site in Hesse, launching from 400 m on wind from the east or west. Flying here runs to strict environmental limits rather than open access: operations are capped at 30 days a year, every session gets logged with pilot name, date, time, aircraft and flight duration, and that logbook has to be produced for the DHV or the local nature-conservation authority on request. Training only happens once the surrounding fields have been harvested, and flying is restricted to the hours between one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset. From 1 March to 30 June each year, the neighbouring forest can't be overflown at all, to protect a potentially resident black stork population, and pilots keep their distance from the tree line too; outside that window, overflight is allowed but only from 150 m above the ground. Access is also limited to three vehicles at a time for winch and glider transport.

Launch & conditions

Training only runs once the fields are harvested, and flying is limited to the hours between one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset — no more than three vehicles are allowed on site at once for winch and glider transport.

Local rules & hazards

From 1 March to 30 June, the bordering forest is off-limits to overflight to protect a potentially resident black stork population, and pilots keep clear of the tree line even outside that window, when a 150 m minimum height above ground applies. Flying is capped at 30 days a year with a logbook of every flight kept for the DHV and local conservation authority, and cross-country departures need enough altitude to avoid outlandings near the surrounding forest and water.

Check conditions before you fly

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