Lentersheim Oststart

Lentersheim Oststart is a winch and aerotow flatland site in Middle Franconia, Bavaria, launching from 469 m on east wind. The tow ground runs along a working farm and recreation path, so agricultural traffic and walkers always have priority over flying — towing pauses the moment anyone approaches the strip, and using it at all is discouraged on the district's main harvest days. Only pilots with solid tow experience take part here, a rule the site is especially strict about for tandem paragliding flights, since the tow rope has to stay clear of fixed obstacles along the route. A white-tailed eagle protection zone lies just north of the tow line and is off-limits below 500 m AGL. The site also sits close to Unterschwaningen's microlight airfield: winch operations there are announced before each session starts, every pilot gets briefed on exactly where that airfield's circuit pattern is, and nobody flies into it.

Launch & conditions

Only pilots with real tow experience fly here, especially for tandem flights, and briefed safety spotters are posted at both ends of the tow path during every winch session. Winch operations are announced to the nearby Unterschwaningen microlight airfield before each start, and its circuit pattern is strictly off-limits.

Local rules & hazards

Agricultural and foot traffic on the path always has priority — towing stops the moment anyone approaches, and the strip is best avoided on main harvest days. A white-tailed eagle protection zone north of the tow line may not be overflown below 500 m AGL, and only experienced tow pilots take part here, particularly for tandem flights.

Check conditions before you fly

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