Hänschberg

Hänschberg is a south/southwest-facing launch in Saxony's Oberlausitz region, at 500 m, closed to flying entirely from 1 April through 31 July each year. Access to the site is on foot from one of two public car parks only — the Kottmarschenke hiking car park at Kottmarhäuser, or the Spreequelle car park at Walddorf — crossing the lower meadows to reach the launch isn't allowed. Between 1 August and 15 September, groundhandling at the landing field is off-limits, and anyone planning to fly during that same window has to notify the landing field's leaseholder before starting. First-time visitors need a briefing from a club pilot or someone the club has authorised before flying here, and flight-school operations aren't run at this site at all. There's a specific hazard to know: in a wind direction around 190°, lee turbulence builds at the launch once wind speeds pass about 20 km/h. Beyond the rules, pilots are asked simply to keep the place tidy.

Getting there & local rules

Access to the site is on foot from one of two public car parks only — the Kottmarschenke hiking car park at Kottmarhäuser, or the Spreequelle car park at Walddorf — crossing the lower meadows to reach the launch isn't allowed.

Local rules & hazards

Flying is closed entirely from 1 April through 31 July each year. Between 1 August and 15 September, groundhandling at the landing field is off-limits, and pilots flying in that window notify the leaseholder first. In a wind direction around 190°, lee turbulence builds at the launch once wind speeds pass about 20 km/h. Flight-school operations aren't run here, and first-time visitors need a briefing from a club pilot beforehand.

Check conditions before you fly

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