Stauf Startplatz West

Stauf has two distinct launches, and they're not interchangeable. The west launch is steep and short — genuinely demanding — and the local site holder restricts it to pilots with excellent wing-handling skills; nobody launches without at least 15 km/h of wind, and the footpath below has to be completely clear of people before anyone commits. The southeast launch, higher up the slope, is used for training flights too, though even there pilots need to have turning flight under control before flying from it. Both launches require a hazard briefing from the site holder before your first flight — this isn't a site to wing on assumptions. Model-aircraft flying sometimes shares the airspace here too, so paraglider and model pilots coordinate operations when both are active. Given the demanding west launch, this is best treated as a site for experienced pilots.

Launch & conditions

Two launches: the west side is steep and short, restricted to pilots with excellent wing-handling skills, and needs at least 15 km/h wind to launch. The southeast launch, higher up, also sees training flights.

Getting there & local rules

Every pilot gets a hazard briefing from the site holder before flying, at either launch.

Local rules & hazards

The west launch requires excellent wing-handling and a minimum 15 km/h wind — the footpath below must be completely clear before launching. When model-aircraft flying shares the airspace, paraglider and model pilots coordinate operations together.

Check conditions before you fly

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