Erbach Startplatz

Erbach is a German launch at about 340 m, flying on wind from west to north-west, and use requires checking in with the site holder beforehand — this is not a walk-up site. The dedicated special landing field at Michelstadt sits about 4.2 km away. Wildlife protection shapes the calendar here: each March, before flight operations resume, the site holder checks the adjacent forest edge for territorial common buzzards or red kites, and if a breeding pair turns up, launch and landing stay closed until the end of June. A fence runs along the left edge of the Erlenbach West landing field, which is why training flights are limited to students who've already practised steering and can hold a controlled turn — this site isn't where a first-ever flight happens. Changing the natural shape of the terrain, or paving any part of it, is not permitted under any circumstances.

Launch & conditions

Training flights are limited to students who've already practised steering and can hold a controlled turn, because of a fence along the left edge of the landing field — this isn't where a first-ever flight happens.

Getting there & local rules

The dedicated special landing field at Michelstadt lies about 4.2 km away. Using the site requires checking in with the site holder beforehand.

Local rules & hazards

Each March, before flight operations resume, the site holder checks the adjacent forest edge for territorial buzzards or red kites; a confirmed breeding pair keeps launch and landing closed until the end of June. Changing the terrain's natural shape, or paving any part of it, is not permitted.

Check conditions before you fly

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