Ober Büelen
📍 Obwalden · Nearest city: Sachseln (3 km)
54 XC score / 100 · takeoff at 1560 m · 📍 View on map
Coordinates and external links
46.85360, 8.27036Forecast next days
Updated: 2026-04-20 13:35 UTC · Source: Open-Meteo · Thermal window 10:00–18:00 local time
Flyable day, decent conditions, cloud base ~465 m, wind 15 km/h.
base ~465m · wind 15 km/hVery favorable day for XC, cloud base ~697 m, wind 13 km/h.
base ~697m · wind 13 km/hFlyable day, decent conditions, cloud base ~1500 m, wind 12 km/h.
base ~1500m · wind 12 km/hComposite flyability score (CAPE + LI + wind + precip + low clouds). Cross-check with local pilots before flying.
Detailed hourly weather
2026-04-21⚠️ Marginal · peak 63 at 15h
- High cloud suck (100/100) — base below freezing with CU
| 08 20 ☁️⚠️ | 09 40 ☁️⚠️ | 10 40 ☁️⚠️ | 11 40 ☁️⚠️ | 12 45 ☁️⚠️ | 13 45 ☁️⚠️ | 14 55 ☁️⚠️ | 15 63 ☁️⚠️ | 16 63 ☁️⚠️ | 17 55 ☁️⚠️ | 18 40 ☁️⚠️ | 19 40 ☁️⚠️ | 20 40 ☁️⚠️ |
Peak 15h: CAPE 20 J/kg · LI -0.2 · BL top 1170 m · w* 0.0 m/s · cloud base 2197 m · 0°C at 1460 m · Pro score 56/100 · sun 30° over slope
Hourly flyability (0–100). ⛈️ = storm risk · ☁️⚠️ = cloud suck · 🏔️ = active ridge lift. CAPE = convective energy, LI = stability, BL top = thermal ceiling, w* = estimated dry thermal velocity. Source: Open-Meteo (ECMWF/GFS/ICON blend model).
Estimated vertical profile (Sounding)
Reference time: 15:00 (peak of the day)
Surface T: 7.5°C · Td: 2.4°C
LCL (cloud base): 637 m
BL top: 1170 m
0°C level: 1460 m
Approximate profile from surface variables + synoptic levels. Red lines = temperature, dashed blue = dew point. Orange bands = detected inversions.
🌬 Daily wind (next days)
Daily summary (10m wind). Full hour × altitude chart is being added progressively.
Takeoff orientations
Green = good orientation · Yellow = possible · Gray = not suitable
Why this site has thermal potential
| Factor | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Hotspot density (5 km) | 12 | High |
| Avg thermal probability | 0.84 | Based on thousands of aggregated IGC flights |
| Solar orientation | 0.17 | Slope faces south in northern hemisphere |
| Own flight history | 0.00 | Thermals detected in platform IGC tracks |
Upcoming competitions in this country
- PWCA Italy Gemona 2026 · 2026-07-25 – 2026-08-01 · PWCA
Copa del Mundo en Gemona del Friuli, Italia
Takeoff description
An easy launch site if the wind is right. You are in the lee of the valley wind, although usually above most of it. Thermals turn on at around 13.00. They can be a bit turbulent.
Rules and notes
see https://www.shv-fsvl.ch/fileadmin/files/redakteure/Allgemein/Sicherheit/Luftraum/CTRTMA/Luftraumtafel_Zentralschweiz_2014_A4_low.pdf There's no problem getting to the official LZ. Don't fly towards Sarnen unless you know what you're doing.
Pilot comments
Flying to the main landing site is fine, flying towards Engelberg is fine, if going towards Sarnen or Meiringen then make sure you know what you're doing airspace-wise. Cables aren't really a problem, there's quite a low one about 300m vertical below running from the cross eastwards, then there's a very low one near Stöcklikreuz. (10m above ground).
Nearby sites
Hohmad (54) · Linderenalp-1540 (50) · Ob Mus (49) · Wandelen-2100 (59) · Gleitschirm Landeplatz Sust (5) · Landeplatz Kerns Sand (5)