Grüneberg I

Grüneberg I is a winch-launch flatland site north of Berlin, in Brandenburg, at 39 m above sea level. It works on northeast or southwest wind along the tow line and, like its neighbouring field Grüneberg II nearby, is used mainly for tow-launched flatland flying rather than slope soaring. Flying here is unusually restricted by nature-protection rules: the site is only open across two short windows each year, spring (1 March to 5 April) and autumn (15 September to 30 November), and even then only on a capped number of flying days, with a maximum of ten pilots allowed on the field per day. The reason is a nearby raptor breeding area — birds of prey nest in the adjoining woodland, and pilots must stay well clear of it, on the ground and in the air, both before and after flying. Every flight has to be logged by GPS so the club can report annual flight data to the authorities. It suits pilots comfortable working within a tightly managed schedule.

Launch & conditions

Winch (aerotow) launch on flat ground; the usable wind window is northeast or southwest along the tow strip.

Local rules & hazards

Flying is permitted only from 1 March to 5 April and 15 September to 30 November, capped at a maximum of eight flying days a year and ten pilots per flying day. To protect nesting birds of prey, no approach — on foot, by vehicle, or in the air, vertically or horizontally — closer than 200 m to the neighbouring woodland is allowed, before, during or after flights. Every flight must be logged by GPS for annual reporting. The tow strip may only be used when vegetation is kept low.

Check conditions before you fly

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