Spitzberg kurz Süd – West

Spitzberg kurz Süd – West is the south-west-facing counterpart to the Spitzberg Nord–Ost lane near Schonungen in Lower Franconia, Bavaria, launching from 320 m on south-west wind and sharing the Schonungen Landeplatz 2 landing field. The same quota governs both lanes: no more than 35 flying days a year and 10 pilots at once, protecting the neighbouring Garstadt bird-protection area from low overflight. The shared landing field is narrow and long rather than wide, with crosswise sections that call for confident precision-landing technique, tandem pilots included. First-time visitors get a site briefing before flying, and this lane's tow run has its own pinch point mid-way, where a field cross and a tree sit close enough that the ground crew keeps the tow rope clear and will abort if the two come near.

Launch & conditions

Launch by winch tow only on south-west wind, with the ground crew keeping visual contact throughout — flying is capped at 35 days a year with no more than 10 pilots at once.

Local rules & hazards

Like its Nord–Ost neighbour, this lane borders the Garstadt bird-protection area, off-limits to low overflight, and its stretch of the shared landing field is narrow and partly crosswise, requiring solid precision-landing technique from every pilot. The tow line narrows mid-run at a field cross and a tree, so the ground crew keeps the rope clear there and can abort the tow if needed.

Check conditions before you fly

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