Hochries Drachenlandeplatz

Hochries Drachenlandeplatz is a winch-tow and electric-assisted flatland flying site in Upper Bavaria, Germany, at roughly 680 m. Rather than running off a mountain face, pilots here get airborne by winch tow or electric ascent, so the site works whatever the wind is doing on the surrounding Alpine launches. Two tow lines are set up on the field — one running roughly southwest to northeast, the other east to west — giving a usable wind window across NE, E, SW and W. Because it sits close to the Hochries takeoff above, operations are carefully marshalled: a designated launch director runs every session, tow lines are secured so pilots below on farm tracks aren't put at risk, and every pilot gets a safety briefing covering what to do if a tow rope breaks during the climb. Electric-assisted starts have their own rules too — climbing pilots must give way to unpowered gliders, and flights over nearby villages during the ascent aren't allowed. It's a well-organized, safety-conscious flatland site for logging winch airtime.

Local rules & hazards

Winch-tow and electric-assisted launches require a designated launch marshal whenever pilots are in the landing pattern, and tow lines are marshalled to protect people on the field tracks below. Electric-assisted climbs must give way to unpowered gliders and may not overfly nearby villages, and all pilots must be briefed on emergency procedures for a tow-line break. Flight operations follow conditions set out in an official permit from the Upper Bavaria regional government issued in December 2012.

Check conditions before you fly

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