Eberfirst

Eberfirst is a demanding southwest-facing launch at about 293 m that the operating club reserves for experienced paragliding pilots who have been briefed on site; flying is banned across the whole area whenever a game is on at the adjacent sports field. Hang gliders use a short 6 m launch ramp. Launches are only made in a clean, turbulence-free headwind from around 230° at 12–15 km/h — strong enough that the wing can be pulled up standing in place and kept under full control — and an extra launch marshal checking the wing during inflation is recommended. New pilots must be briefed and demonstrate sufficient flight experience and canopy control before their first flight, with the briefing documented in writing. The landing area is small and boxed in by tall obstacles: one of the three landing fields, near a water ditch and a power line along a stream, should only be used by seasoned, fully licensed pilots with a high level of flight experience, landing out of a right-hand turn and staying close to the slope on approach.

Local rules & hazards

Launches are made only in a clean, turbulence-free headwind from around 230° at 12–15 km/h, and this site is reserved for experienced pilots who have been briefed on-site beforehand, with the briefing documented in writing. The landing area is small and surrounded by tall obstacles — a water ditch, a bush row and a power line along a nearby stream cause turbulence in strong wind, and the third landing field should only be used by pilots with a high level of flight experience and a full pilot license. Flying is banned across the whole site whenever the adjacent sports field is in use for games.

Check conditions before you fly

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