Montagna Grande SW

Montagna Grande's southwest launch sits above Sicily's Trapani area, near Lago Rubino, and offers a straightforward SW-facing takeoff and a wide, easy landing — reachable by any normal car, no 4x4 needed. The one physical catch at launch is loose rocky ground that can snag your lines, so lay out with care. This is airspace close to Birgi/Trapani airport, so flying only happens on weekends and holidays, and pilots are expected to contact the airport control tower before taking off — going up with local pilots who already know the routine is the easier way in if it's your first visit. During forest-fire season, keep an extra eye out for Canadair water-bomber aircraft, which scoop water from the nearby lake to fight fires and can be operating low and fast right through the flying area.

Launch & conditions

Takeoff faces southwest and is straightforward, but the ground is scattered with loose rocky stones that can catch your lines — lay out carefully.

Getting there & local rules

The launch is reachable by any normal car, no 4x4 required. Flying is only permitted on weekends and holidays, and pilots must contact Birgi/Trapani airport control tower before taking off; going with local pilots who know the routine is the simplest way to start.

Local rules & hazards

During forest-fire season, watch for Canadair water-bomber aircraft scooping water from nearby Lago Rubino — they can operate low and fast right through the flying area.

Check conditions before you fly

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