Kötzhelle Startplatz NW (1)

Kötzhelle NW is a northwest-facing launch in the Märkischer Kreis area of the Sauerland, at 400 m, landing at the Haumchermühle field. Landings at that primary landing site need a healthy safety margin from the country road and the tree row running alongside it, since the trees throw a lee effect that catches pilots out on final approach — if that tree row is ever removed or substantially altered, the DHV's flight-operations department has to inspect the site again before flying resumes. If landing site 1 turns out significantly turbulent, pilots switch to the alternative, landing site 2, instead of forcing it. Training flights only go ahead in conditions genuinely suited to student pilots. The site sits right on the boundary between flight levels 65 and 85, so flying has to stay below the permitted airspace ceiling at all times — thermalling pilots especially need to watch that they don't drift down into the lower FL65 block. Conditions from a nature-conservation exemption for the district are built into the flying permit itself, and every pilot using the site is briefed on them before flying.

Local rules & hazards

Landings at the primary site need a safety margin from the country road and its tree row, which throws a lee effect on final approach; if landing site 1 is significantly turbulent, use landing site 2 instead. The site sits on the boundary between flight levels 65 and 85 — stay below the permitted ceiling, and watch for drifting into the lower FL65 block while thermalling. Training flights only in weather suited to student pilots.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Kötzhelle Startplatz NW (1), 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 Kötzhelle Startplatz NW (1) with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.