Zschochau / Spitzer Kalkofen

Zschochau / Spitzer Kalkofen is a winch-tow flatland site in Saxony, eastern Germany, launched east-west and used heavily for training. The west-facing launch is the training point, flown with a shortened tow line of about 420 metres. Before any towing starts, the crew must confirm the video monitoring link is working cleanly and that voice contact between launch and winch is solid — towing stops immediately if that visual link drops, and only the stretch of the tow track that keeps launch and winch in sight may then be used. Launch point S1 is closed whenever there's a northerly crosswind, because of a nearby silage facility; beginner training is kept to launch points S2 and S3 instead. On the eastern side of the site, a minimum horizontal clearance of 50 metres from the road must be kept at all times.

Launch & conditions

West-facing launch used for training, flown on a shortened ~420 m tow line. Launch point S1 is avoided in northerly crosswind (a silage facility sits nearby); beginner training uses S2 and S3 instead.

Getting there & local rules

This is a winch-tow site geared toward training rather than drop-in hill flying — arrange a visit with the local operation before you come.

Local rules & hazards

Towing requires a working video link and solid radio contact between launch and winch before it starts, and stops immediately if the visual link fails — only the section of track that keeps launch and winch in sight can then be used. A minimum 50 m clearance from the road is kept on the eastern side of the site.

Check conditions before you fly

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