Paldiski

Paldiski is a sea cliff on the Estonian coast west of Tallinn, and it is a pure soaring site — low, exposed, and entirely dependent on a steady onshore wind. The cliff runs a few degrees west of north, with a bowl in the middle section that faces slightly east of the main line, and the ideal wind sits just south of due west. The whole thing works within a narrow band: too little wind and there is nothing to hold you up above a beach you do not want to be committed to, too much and both launching and landing become serious. Top landing beside the takeoff is the normal way to finish and it is straightforward, which is just as well, because the alternative is a narrow strip of beach directly below. In winter the same wind speeds feel stronger, and the working range shifts down accordingly.

Launch & conditions

The cliff faces a few degrees west of north, with the section south of the ladder at the same angle and a short bowl between them facing around ten degrees further east. The ideal wind is from just south of west. Launching is simple in moderate wind and noticeably harder above about 8 m/s.

Getting there & local rules

Drive through Paldiski to the old lighthouse, turn into the state forest zone and continue to the cliff; the takeoff is just to the right. The train from Tallinn leaves a walk of three to four kilometres, while the bus reaches the town centre, which is closer.

Local rules & hazards

Do not launch above about 8 m/s, and do not fly at all in 10 m/s; in winter take one to two metres per second off those figures. Below roughly 6 m/s it is better not to launch at all, because the only alternative to top landing is a narrow beach directly beneath the cliff. When landing, do not go too deep — behind the cliff is lee side. Lose your height in front of the cliff over the gravel road and land just behind the launch point.

Check conditions before you fly

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