Nonrod NO

Nonrod NO is a paragliding practice hill in Germany at 384 m, launching on north-east wind, with about 32 m of height difference from top to bottom — short hops rather than a big mountain flight. Flying only happens by prior arrangement with the site holder, who also takes short-notice requests. Vehicles park at the designated hiking car park; driving to the launch itself isn't allowed, though gear can be driven to the landing area to unload before the car goes back to the car park. No changes to the landscape are permitted anywhere on site. Student pilots get a slope-landing briefing before their first flight, and because a cluster of houses sits to one side of the landing field, instructors talk students down by radio to keep them oriented toward the correct side. Flying-day and pilot-number limits apply here to protect local wildlife, and those numbers are fixed — they can't simply be increased.

Local rules & hazards

Flying only happens by prior arrangement with the site holder. Species-protection limits fix the number of flying days per year and the number of pilots — they cannot be increased. Student pilots get a slope-landing briefing before their first flight, and because houses sit close to one side of the landing field, instructors guide students down by radio to keep them oriented correctly.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Nonrod NO, 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 Nonrod NO with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.