Welcome to the Hochoetz flying area

The lower Ötz Valley basin was discovered as an area with good thermals in the pioneer days of the sports of hang-gliding and paragliding.

In good flying weather conditions, paragliders and hang-gliders can reach up to 3,800 metres above sealevel. This is also the starting point for long distance flights along the Stubai and Oetztal Alps and into the limestone alps to the north. Please consult the present ICAO map before long-distance flights (Innsbruck air traffic control centre).

The local "Oetz Hang-gliding and Paragliding Club", in existence since 1988, has been responsible for the development of flying activities.This has provided for flying enthusiasts a take-off area near the "old halfway station" that can only be reached by car, or by the upper station of the Acherkogel cable car, and a large landing area and a separate dismantling area. Contacts for those interested in flying are the Otz Information Office, the Chairman of the Oetz hang-gliding and paragliding club, Mr. Gero Parth at Parth's draper's shop and Mr. Karlheinz Mühlpointner (cashier) at the Oetz Raiffeisen Bank.

The meterological peculiarities of the area: owing to topographical factors (rugged inner Alpine country) turbulence and lee eddies must be expected right down to ground level, both when high-level winds and valley winds are strong. Furthermore, the danger caused if the Föhn (a south wind that can reach storm force) reaches the area, must not be underestimated.

Please brief yourself each day you fly on the current flying weather situation!

Please also keep to minimum flying levels above the village, take account that there is often a strong headwind when flying into the landing area.

As far as the landing field is concerned, please note that this and in particular the adjacent fields (outer landing areas) should be preserved as much as possible; this means leaving the landing area along the Mühlbach with your equipment immediately after landing and dismantling your flying machine in the dismantling area. Direct access to this area is not allowed.