Entenberg – Windenschlepp

Entenberg is a winch-launch flatland site near Siegen in North Rhine-Westphalia, flying on easterly or westerly winds from an elevation of around 304 m. Flight operations are restricted to daylight hours — starting two hours after sunrise and finishing an hour before sunset, and never later than 20:00 — partly to keep noise from the tow winch down and partly so the site doesn't crowd out other visitors using the surrounding countryside. A protected pond, the Amalienhütter Weiher, sits within the flying area and may not be overflown at all, and landing inside its protected zone is forbidden outright. Pilots already in their landing pattern always have priority over aircraft still being winched up. If a tow line or wing drifts toward the nearby railway line during launch, the tow is stopped immediately, and the whole winch setup is arranged to avoid contact with the obstacles around the strip. Driving or parking off the paved tracks is not permitted anywhere on site.

Launch & conditions

A winch-launch site worked on easterly or westerly winds; flying runs only from two hours after sunrise until an hour before sunset, and never past 20:00.

Local rules & hazards

The protected Amalienhütter Weiher pond may not be overflown, and landing inside its protected zone is forbidden. Towing stops immediately if the line or wing drifts toward the nearby railway line, and landing traffic always has right of way over aircraft still on tow. Driving or parking off the paved tracks is not permitted anywhere on site.

Check conditions before you fly

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