Homböhl

Homböhl is a winch-tow flying site in the Hochsauerlandkreis, North Rhine-Westphalia, at about 470 m, flyable from four different wind directions — east, southeast, west and northwest — which makes it more versatile than most single-direction German hill sites. As a flatland/winch site rather than a mountain launch, most flights here start from a tow rather than a foot-launch off a slope. The site sits next to an Important Bird Area, and pilots must stay at least 150 m clear of it horizontally and never fly directly over it; launches to the west require flying a northern landing pattern specifically to route around the protected zone. Tow days are capped at 10 pilots (including anyone accompanying them) and a maximum of 3 vehicles on site, and flying is only permitted from 15 March to 30 October, on at most 10 weekends within that window. A flight log must be kept and shown to the DHV or the district authority on request.

Launch & conditions

This is a winch/tow site rather than a foot-launch hill, flyable from east, southeast, west or northwest. Launches heading west must fly a northern landing pattern to keep clear of the neighbouring bird protection area.

Getting there & local rules

Tow days are capped at 3 vehicles and 10 pilots (including anyone accompanying them) on site at once, and farm traffic or other visitors must not be blocked.

Local rules & hazards

A 150 m horizontal buffer from the adjacent Important Bird Area is mandatory, and flying directly over it is not allowed at all. Flying here only runs 15 March to 30 October, capped at 10 weekends in that window, and a flight log must be kept and produced for the DHV or the local district authority on request.

Check conditions before you fly

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