Departure
90%
vs 95% ▼ 5
MY FS FLIGHTS
MY FS FLIGHTS
Wasserkuppe Airfield (EDER) sits atop the Wasserkuppe massif in the Rhön Mountains near Gersfeld, Hesse, and is Germany's highest airfield at around 901 metres above mean sea level. Long known as the cradle of gliding, it remains a busy centre for glider and general aviation training with a single hard-surfaced runway. Visiting pilots should expect frequent glider activity and be prepared for mountain-top conditions that can change quickly.
Wasserkuppe Airfield is a small mountain-top aerodrome above Gersfeld in the Hessian Rhön region, operated as a base for gliding and general aviation training by the local flying school. It is Germany's highest airfield, and its combination of elevation, ridge lift and long aviation heritage make it a distinctive and rewarding destination for a simulator pilot, though the short single runway and active glider traffic demand careful planning.
The airfield lies on the summit plateau of the Wasserkuppe in the Rhön Mountains, close to Gersfeld (Rhön) in the Fulda district of Hesse, roughly north-east of Frankfurt. No controlled airspace class or ILS is associated with the field, and its high elevation and mountain-top position mean it can be affected by cloud and wind conditions typical of upland terrain.
Wasserkuppe has a single physical runway, 06/24, surfaced in hard material and lit, measuring 2,092 feet in length. There is no ILS approach.
Two frequencies are published for the field: an AFIS frequency of 119.15 MHz under the callsign Langen Information, and an INFO frequency of 120.13 MHz under the callsign Wasserkuppe Radio. There is no instrument landing system, so arrivals and departures are flown visually.
The Wasserkuppe has been internationally known since the beginnings of gliding in 1911 and earned its reputation as the birthplace of the sport, becoming known as the mountain of aviators. In 1922 Arthur Martens became the first glider pilot to use ridge lift along a mountain slope to remain airborne for a lengthy period, an achievement made at the Wasserkuppe that helped establish the site's importance; the world's first glider pilot school was subsequently founded here.
The airfield today is home to the Fliegerschule Wasserkuppe, which trains pilots from beginner level through to glider pilot qualification, and frequent general aviation and glider operations continue on the mountain. An airfield restaurant and café, Weltensegler, overlooks the runway from a roof terrace giving views of take-offs and landings, and webcams provide live views of the airfield and surrounding Hochrhön area. The field has also been recreated in detailed scenery for Microsoft Flight Simulator, released by Aerosoft and developed by Stairport Sceneries, reflecting its enduring appeal to both real-world and simulator pilots.
