Sandkopf Startplatz

Sandkopf Startplatz is a quieter, forest launch in the Black Forest just off the road between Oppenau and the Schwarzwald Hochstraße, sitting west of the busier Rossbühl launch and reachable only on foot through the trees; landing is shared with Rossbühl. Access to both launches is on foot only — cars stay in the public lots at Rossbühl or the ski-lift parking, and the forestry track branching off toward Sandkopf may never be used for parking since it has to stay clear for timber trucks. Flying from here has to head out of a protected area toward the landing field to the south, with low flying over that protected zone off-limits; flights above 300 m AGL over it are allowed in thermal conditions, provided the altitude reliably guarantees reaching the landing field beyond it. An altimeter is required, flying can start no earlier than two hours after sunrise, and the last launch has to be at least an hour before sunset, with a flight log kept for operations here. Every pilot needs a briefing on the site's nature-conservation-sensitive areas before their first flight, and launches in wind from the north or east above 15 km/h are not allowed, since lee turbulence can build up at the landing field in those conditions without being visible from launch.

Local rules & hazards

Flying from this launch must head out of a protected nature area toward the landing field to the south, staying above it only when thermal conditions allow more than 300 m AGL and the altitude reliably guarantees reaching the landing field beyond it; an altimeter is required. Flying can start no earlier than two hours after sunrise and the last launch must be at least an hour before sunset. Launches in wind from the north or east above 15 km/h are not permitted, because lee turbulence can build up at the landing field in those conditions without being visible from the launch.

Check conditions before you fly

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