Kolbingen

Kolbingen is a forest-clearing soaring site at about 785 m on the Swabian Jura, facing southwest, where wind that isn't blowing cleanly onto or out of the valley creates real lee risk — this is a ridge-soaring site, so pilots plan the landing approach early and keep enough reserve height to handle it. Only pilots who can launch confidently and keep full control of the wing should fly here, since it's a narrow clearing launch, and everyone needs a briefing from the site holder before their first flight. The site operates under conservation limits set by the local authority: flying is capped at 16 launches a day on at most two consecutive days (then at least three rest days), and no more than 15 flying days total within the bird breeding season from 1 March to 31 August, with no launches at all during the wood warbler's peak courtship and egg-laying period in May. Launches must head southwest, and the bird's habitat just north of launch must never be overflown. No cars are allowed at the launch itself — everyone parks at a nearby school and carries gear in on foot — and the landing field runs beside the L443 road, so a safety margin of at least 30 m from the traffic is required.

Local rules & hazards

Wind that isn't blowing cleanly onto or out of the valley creates real lee risk at this ridge-soaring site, so the landing approach should be planned early with a solid reserve of height. Flying is capped at 16 launches a day on at most two consecutive days, then at least three rest days, and no more than 15 flying days total within the bird breeding season (1 March–31 August), with no launches at all during the wood warbler's peak courtship period in May; launches must head southwest and the bird's habitat just north of launch must never be overflown. The landing field runs beside a public road, so a safety margin of at least 30 m from the traffic is required.

Check conditions before you fly

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