San Simeone Startplatz Kehre

San Simeone's hairpin-bend launch sits at around 553 metres on Monte Simeone in Friuli, reached via a winding mountain road with several tunnels that leads up to a genuinely scenic grass launch, with a southward view along the Tagliamento river. It's a steep takeoff, and pilots who fly it recommend launching from the very top rather than partway down; this is also a rarely flown site, so don't expect company or a well-worn routine. Strong thermals build on the mountain flank through the day, and griffon vultures sometimes circle in to mark exactly where the lift is. The landing meadow sits near the sports field by the Tagliamento riverbed, at the edge of the local orchards — but a large military radio antenna went up near the landing area in 2008, so it's worth scouting the landing zone in person before committing to it, not just trusting an old description. Strong cross-country pilots sometimes use Simeone as a thermal source after crossing over from Stol in Slovenia.

Launch & conditions

Steep grass launch at ~553 m, at a hairpin bend on the access road — best launched from the very top. Rarely flown.

Getting there & local rules

Reached via a winding mountain road with several tunnels; the launch is located at a hairpin bend (Kehre).

Local rules & hazards

A large military radio antenna was installed near the landing area in 2008 — scout the landing zone in person before flying rather than relying on an old description.

Check conditions before you fly

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