Wixberg Startplatz S – SO

Wixberg's south-to-southeast launch sits in the Sauerland hills near Altena, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, at about 420 m, and access is restricted — this site is only usable to a limited extent by members of the local flying club. Two nature reserves nearby, Pragpaul and Tiefenbach, are strict no-fly zones and must never be overflown, and every pilot is briefed on their boundaries plus the surrounding landscape-authority rules before flying starts. The site sits close to the Altena-Hegenscheid airfield, so pilots keep clear of its circuit and traffic. Camping, storing gear, parking caravans or lighting fires anywhere on or around the launch is banned, and vehicles can't drive to or park at the launch itself — everyone leaves cars at the nearest proper parking area instead. The whole launch field, a mix of wild meadow and forest clearings, gets mowed at least once a year, but never before 25 July, to protect what's nesting or growing there. A flight log recording every pilot's name, date and time is kept at both launch points and shown to the nature authority on request.

Local rules & hazards

Two nature reserves, Pragpaul and Tiefenbach, are strict no-fly zones that must never be overflown, and pilots keep clear of the nearby Altena-Hegenscheid airfield's traffic pattern. Camping, gear storage, caravans and open fires are banned on or near the launch, and vehicles can't drive to or park at the site itself. The launch field is mowed at least once a year but never before 25 July, and a flight log recording every pilot's name, date and time is kept at both launch points.

Check conditions before you fly

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