Schaurain Windenschleppgelände

Schaurain is a backup winch-tow site at about 520 m, with an unusually wide wind tolerance covering northeast, east, southwest and west — useful precisely because it's the fallback rather than the main operation, which normally runs from the gliding airfield at Brannenburg nearby. Two safety rules define how towing works here. For any release height above 450 m AGL, there has to be a reliable radio link between the pilot on tow and the winch operator or launch director, specifically so the tow can be aborted at any moment if something changes — other air traffic approaching, for instance. Separately, adequate clearance from a power line near the site has to be maintained at all times, following the findings of the site's own safety assessment. It's not a scenic destination so much as a functional one: a flexible-wind alternate that keeps towing options open when the main site isn't available, provided the radio and power-line rules are followed properly.

Local rules & hazards

For release heights above 450 m AGL, a reliable radio link between the towed pilot and the winch operator/launch director is required, so the tow can be aborted at any time. Adequate clearance from a nearby power line must be maintained, per the site's safety assessment.

Check conditions before you fly

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