Waldstadion – Herxheim

Waldstadion – Herxheim is a winch-tow flatland site in the Palatinate region of Rhineland-Palatinate, at about 120 m, flyable from east, southeast, southwest or west depending on which line the winch is set up along. Training tows are kept to a flat-tow style, capped at 10 m AGL; pilots holding at least an A-licence, including tandem pilots, can be towed higher — up to a 150 m AGL release height — at the discretion of the permit holder and winch operator, provided nobody is put at risk by the tow cable. The winch itself is only operated by an experienced flat-tow winch driver, and tows only run in light headwind up to 10 km/h — crosswind launches aren't allowed. Launches and landings use the grass strip beside the sand track. When towing runs through the stadium's north side, the archery targets and stands there have to be cleared first, and towing on the diagonal line only happens once the four flagpoles in the east part of the stadium are taken down.

Launch & conditions

Flat-tow only for training, capped at 10 m AGL; licensed pilots (A-licence or higher, including tandem) can be towed to a 150 m AGL release with the operator's discretion. Tows run only in light headwind up to 10 km/h — no crosswind starts.

Getting there & local rules

Launches and landings use the grass strip next to the sand track. When towing crosses the stadium's north side, the archery equipment there is cleared first.

Local rules & hazards

This is a stadium site with obstacles to plan around: sufficient clearance is required between the stand and the light masts, and towing along the diagonal line only happens once the four east-side flagpoles are removed.

Check conditions before you fly

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