Erlau Ost – SP

Erlau is a regularly busy site in the Odenwald whenever the wind sits in the east, with only a narrow band of lift to share among pilots. Off-field landings and parking in unauthorized spots have put the site's future at risk for years, so guest pilots need to register in advance and numbers are capped. Hang gliders have effectively stopped flying here altogether, since a landing-field reorganisation made hang-glider landings very demanding — paragliders are now the only wing regularly seen at Erlau. A launch-abort line is marked on the field: pilots must be airborne by that point or abort the run, and everyone gets a safety briefing on the rock drop-off below the takeoff and the lee effect that builds in a crosswind before their first flight. Vehicles must park only in the designated spots near Fränkisch-Crumbach, and the road running past the landing field needs a wide berth.

Launch & conditions

Launch only in a clean headwind — the abort line marked on the field means pilots must be airborne by that point or stop the run. A safety briefing covers the rock drop-off below takeoff and the lee effect that builds in crosswind.

Getting there & local rules

Guest pilots must register in advance and numbers are capped. Park only in the designated spots near Fränkisch-Crumbach, never elsewhere.

Local rules & hazards

A hard launch-abort line is marked on the field, and pilots need a safety briefing on the rock drop-off below takeoff and crosswind lee effect before their first flight. Hang gliders have stopped landing here after a landing-field reorganisation, so the site is now flown almost exclusively by paragliders, and the road past the landing field needs a wide berth on approach.

Check conditions before you fly

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