Russdorf

Russdorf is a winch-launch flatland site in Saxony, workable in a wide range of wind directions — north, northeast, southeast, south, southwest and northwest all work here — which makes it a flexible training and currency spot regardless of the day's wind. Flying is restricted to daylight hours between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and pilots need to keep a genuine buffer — 150 to 200 m — from the nearest field groves and forest edges to give wildlife room to retreat. Low, shallow-angle passes over the surrounding forests are specifically discouraged, especially through the sensitive bird breeding season from April to June and again during the autumn migration. If a bird of prey is circling nearby, the rule is simple: keep well clear or give it a wide detour, rather than risk provoking a mock attack or panicked flight from a nest site.

Launch & conditions

Winch-launch flatland site workable across a wide range of wind directions — north, northeast, southeast, south, southwest and northwest — making it a flexible training spot regardless of the day's wind.

Getting there & local rules

Flying is restricted to daylight hours, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Local rules & hazards

Keep 150–200 m from the nearest field groves and forest edges to leave wildlife room to retreat. Avoid low, shallow-angle passes over the surrounding forests, especially during the bird breeding season (April–June) and autumn migration. Give any circling bird of prey a wide berth rather than risk provoking it.

Check conditions before you fly

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