Decollo S. Michele

Decollo S. Michele launches from 347 m in Apulia, on a flatland-style hillside that gives north-east and east-facing thermal flying rather than big mountain terrain. The takeoff itself needs a bit more attention than most: it's on the short side, and loose small stones can make the run slippery, so a confident, deliberate launch technique matters here more than at a longer ramp. The upside is that the consequences of a stumble are contained — bushes bound the takeoff run on the sides, which limits how far things can go wrong if a launch doesn't go cleanly. The local flying club keeps a windsock and other wind indicators in place at the site, a sign this is an actively used and looked-after launch rather than an abandoned one. With flyable wind limited to the north-east and east, timing a visit around the right thermal or breeze direction matters more than at sites with a wider window.

Launch & conditions

Short takeoff run on small, sometimes slippery stones — launch with extra care. Bushes bound the run on the sides, limiting the consequences of a stumbled launch. The local club maintains a windsock and other wind indicators on site.

Check conditions before you fly

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