Pizzorne

Pizzorne launches at 948 m on the plateau above Lucca in Tuscany, an easy-enough meadow take-off that suits thermal flying, hike-and-fly outings and flatland-style sessions alike. Most of the time the shape of the valley works in the pilot's favour, tending to send the wind straight at the launch, which makes for a fairly forgiving inflation on a typical day. The exception is a south wind: when it blows from that direction, pilots need to actively work against the glider during launch rather than relying on the valley's usual helpful flow, since the wind is then pushing from an unfavourable angle rather than assisting the wing. That distinction — easy on the valley's normal wind pattern, more demanding on a south wind — is the main thing to know about launch technique here. With thermal, hike-and-fly and flatland credentials in one meadow, Pizzorne is a versatile site for pilots working out of the Lucca area, as long as the day's wind direction is factored into how you set up the launch.

Launch & conditions

Easy-enough meadow launch; the valley's shape usually sends wind straight at the pilot, but a south wind requires actively working against the glider during launch.

Check conditions before you fly

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