Lautersheim

Lautersheim, in the Palatinate, is a southwest-facing site run on a tight set of rules built around bird protection and keeping the operation small. The biggest one: flying is suspended entirely from 15 March to 15 July every year, covering the main breeding season. Outside that window, flight operations can't start until at least two hours after sunrise, and only five pilots are allowed on site at once — this isn't a site for a crowd. Every pilot needs a briefing from the site holder on the local requirements before their first flight. Getting there means walking in; vehicles stay parked in the village of Lautersheim itself, not at the site. And once you're flying, outlandings are strongly discouraged — plan your glide to reach the designated landing field rather than putting down early.

Launch & conditions

Southwest-facing site; flight operations can't start until at least two hours after sunrise, and no more than five pilots may use the site at once.

Getting there & local rules

Reach the site on foot only — vehicles stay parked in the village of Lautersheim.

Local rules & hazards

Flying is suspended entirely from 15 March to 15 July each year for bird protection. Every pilot needs a briefing from the site holder on local requirements before flying, and outlandings are strongly discouraged.

Check conditions before you fly

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