Waizenhofen – Espan

Waizenhofen–Espan is a regularly used winch-tow site run by a local flying club, sitting on a thermally productive plateau at about 550 m with several thermal release edges and open enough to tow in any wind direction across its lean grassland. There's a skydiving airfield close by, so pilots need to stay alert to parachute traffic in the area. The Thalach meadows, a reed area between Aue and Kleinhöbing, must not be overflown below 300 m above the ground. Before flying starts each day, the flight control at the nearby special-purpose airfield Thalmässing-Waizenhofen has to be notified, and pilots flying cross-country need to know the nature reserves in the surrounding district and keep clear of them. Every pilot flying here is expected to keep a flight log with the usual details, available to the German hang gliding federation on request. Driving to the launch points is restricted to the main tracks, and only vehicles actually delivering the winch or flying gear are allowed to drive all the way up.

Launch & conditions

Winch-tow launch on a thermally productive plateau at about 550 m, open enough to tow in any wind direction. Several thermal release edges make this a strong site once you're up.

Getting there & local rules

Driving to the launch points is restricted to the main tracks, and only vehicles delivering the winch or flying gear are allowed to drive all the way to the launch.

Local rules & hazards

There's a skydiving airfield close by — stay alert to parachute traffic. The Thalach meadows (a reed area between Aue and Kleinhöbing) must not be overflown below 300 m above the ground. Flight control at the nearby special-purpose airfield must be notified before flying starts each day, and cross-country pilots need to know and avoid the nature reserves in the surrounding district.

Check conditions before you fly

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