Taunusstein – Orlen

Taunusstein – Orlen is a winch-tow flatland site in Hesse, Germany, at about 400 m, favorable with wind from the south or southwest. Access here is unusually tightly capped: flying is permitted on a maximum of 15 flying days per year, with no more than 8 pilots on site at any one of those sessions, which makes this a site to plan around rather than drop in on casually. The site sits closed for a large part of the year too, with all flying paused from 1 March through 31 July. When flying does happen, agricultural traffic on the surrounding land always has priority, and pilots need to make sure hikers and cyclists using the area are never put at risk or inconvenienced by the operation. Vehicles must be parked in designated parking areas or within the town itself rather than out on the site — the only vehicles allowed onto the field are the tow vehicle, the first-aid vehicle and the cable-retrieval vehicle.

Launch & conditions

Winch tow, favorable wind from the south or southwest. Flying is capped at a maximum of 15 days per year with no more than 8 pilots per session.

Getting there & local rules

Park in designated parking areas or within the town — only the tow vehicle, first-aid vehicle and cable-retrieval vehicle are permitted on the field itself.

Local rules & hazards

No flying takes place between 1 March and 31 July each year. Agricultural traffic always has priority, and hikers and cyclists using the area must never be put at risk or inconvenienced.

Check conditions before you fly

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