Omerskopf

Omerskopf sits in a forest corridor just below the road, easy to reach and a solid alternative when the nearby Lauf site isn't working. Every pilot needs a briefing from the local club before their first flight, and because the launch is boxed in by trees, side or tailwind starts aren't allowed — tree clearing in 2022 did open the launch up noticeably, though. Flying runs 9:00–17:00 from May through October, stretching to 19:30 in June, July and August; through the winter months it's capped at just 15 flying days a year, all logged in the site's flight book. Cross-country flights east of the B500 road need to stay above 300 m AGL to protect capercaillie habitat, and a raven nesting site near the Hirschfelsen rock is off-limits to overflight within 250 m during the February–June breeding season. Reach the launch on foot, by public bus, shuttle or carpool — the pull-off above it isn't for parking, and organised events with big crowds aren't allowed on the launch or landing fields.

Launch & conditions

The launch sits in a forest corridor, so side or tailwind starts aren't allowed — 2022 tree clearing improved the launch noticeably. Flying runs 9:00–17:00 May–October (to 19:30 in June–August); winter flying is capped at 15 days a year.

Getting there & local rules

Reach the launch on foot, by public bus, shuttle bus or carpool — the pull-off above the launch isn't for parking cars.

Local rules & hazards

Cross-country flights east of the B500 road need to stay above 300 m AGL to protect capercaillie habitat, and a raven nest near the Hirschfelsen rock is off-limits to overflight within 250 m during the February–June breeding season. Organised events with significant crowds aren't allowed on the launch or landing fields.

Check conditions before you fly

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