Kastl

Kastl is a German winch-tow flatland site at about 445 m, flying on east or west wind. Two areas here are strictly off-limits to overflight below 300 m above ground: the forest bordering the tow site to the east, which protects black storks, and the Heidennaab valley floodplain and Kastler Berg, home to white storks — climb above 300 m AGL and those restrictions no longer apply. Every pilot is required to carry an altimeter, and flight operations must wrap up an hour before sunset. Before towing can start, the operator has to rule out any risk of the tow cable drifting onto nearby houses, paths or roads if it were to break in the wind — sufficient horizontal and vertical distance from residential buildings has to be maintained at all times. Every pilot gets briefed on these conditions by the site holder before flying.

Launch & conditions

Every pilot must carry an altimeter, and flight operations must end one hour before sunset.

Local rules & hazards

The forest bordering the site to the east (black stork protection) and the Heidennaab valley floodplain plus Kastler Berg (white storks) are off-limits to overflight below 300 m above ground. Towing does not start if there's any risk of the cable drifting onto nearby houses, paths or roads after a break — sufficient clearance from residential buildings is required at all times.

Check conditions before you fly

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