Sponsheimer Berg / Laubenheim / Dorsheim

Sponsheimer Berg exists today because a local flying club pushed hard to get it approved, and it's become the club's flagship site — a genuinely good east-wind launch with a fine view down into the Rhine valley, freshly rebuilt by the club that runs it. In strong east wind, pilots lay out further down the slope rather than right at the top, and top-landing here is possible and reasonably straightforward. Flying is permitted only when the wind comes from the east, and pilots are asked to keep as much distance from the ground as they reasonably can, especially during the spring breeding season from April through July, to avoid disturbing local birdlife. Three protected natural areas sit to the east in the Nahe valley and must not be affected by flying, and a special-use airfield nearby also has to stay clear of paraglider traffic. A transmission mast sits about 150 m northeast of the landing field.

Launch & conditions

In strong east wind, lay out further down the slope rather than right at the top; top-landing here is possible and reasonably straightforward.

Getting there & local rules

Flying is permitted only when the wind comes from the east, and access rules here matter enough that they're worth checking before you go.

Local rules & hazards

Flying stays east-wind only, and pilots keep as much distance from the ground as reasonably possible, especially during the breeding season from April through July, to avoid disturbing local birdlife. Three protected natural areas lie to the east and must not be affected by flying, a nearby special-use airfield needs to stay clear of paraglider traffic, and a transmission mast stands about 150 m northeast of the landing field.

Check conditions before you fly

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