Schmecker

Schmecker is a compact, northeast-facing launch in the Tauberfranken hills of Baden-Württemberg, run by the local club near Markelsheim. At 325 m the site is modest in height, but its exposed hillside catches reliable northeast airflow and gives quick, easy access to the designated landing field below. There's no space to park right at launch, so plan to walk in or arrange a shuttle from the village. Because the take-off cuts through farmland and forest, the club asks every visiting pilot to get an on-site briefing before their first flight here — it's how local hazards, like the overhead power line on the southeast side of the slope, get passed on. The site only works cleanly in a straight northeast wind: there's no margin for crosswind, and pilots need a light breeze, not dead air, to glide cleanly to the landing zone. A short, no-fuss local flying spot for pilots who take the briefing seriously.

Launch & conditions

Northeast-facing launch cut through trees and farmland; no crosswind tolerance, and organizers ask for at least 10–15 km/h at launch to reach the landing safely — skip zero-wind attempts.

Getting there & local rules

No parking at the launch itself; plan to walk in or get dropped off, and check in with the local club for the required site briefing before flying.

Local rules & hazards

Stay off the dry-stone walls and avoid trampling the grassland around launch — this is protected farmland. A power line crosses the southeast slope base, so get a terrain briefing before your first flight. Keep at least 50 m above roads, and note that controlled airspace begins at 1,700 ft AGL here, so fly to VFR rules.

Check conditions before you fly

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