Oeillon Est

Oeillon Est sits in the Pilat range south of Lyon, France, with a launch that's short and a little technical — this isn't a spot for first-timers, though it can make a strong start to a cross-country flight when morning convection kicks in early. There are several landing options scattered around the site, which gives some flexibility if conditions change mid-flight, though a couple of them demand a good glide ratio to reach safely. Timing matters here: on days with no wind at launch, it pays to get airborne early, since the breeze swings around to blow from behind by late morning, which can make launching harder. When the wind sits in the east or southeast, though, the site can work all day long. As with any farmland site, pilots are asked to steer wide of crops and grazing cattle on the way to landing.

Launch & conditions

The takeoff is short and a bit technical — not a site for beginners. It can make a strong cross-country start when morning convection begins early.

Check conditions before you fly

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