Wasserkuppe Spring Testival — Manufacturer Meeting Paragliding
Manufacturer meeting for paragliding and hang gliding on Hesse's highest mountain
About Spring Testival Wasserkuppe
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The Wasserkuppe — Cradle of German Aviation Sports
The Wasserkuppe is Hesse's highest mountain (950 m) and a sacred site for aviation: the first German glider pilots flew here in the 1920s. Today, the mountain in the Rhön Nature Park is an international destination for paragliding, hang gliding, and gliding. The ideal west winds, the open high plateau, and the certified launch sites make it one of Germany's most important flight training locations.
The 2026 Spring Testival
On the first May weekend — Saturday, May 2nd, and Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 — Papillon Paragliding invites you to the Spring Testival on the Wasserkuppe. It's both a manufacturer meeting and a pilot festival: Over a dozen international brands (NOVA, ADVANCE, SUPAIR, SWING, SKYTRAXX and others) will set up their demo fleets, provide equipment for test flights, and be available for technical questions.
Program
The program is a mix of flying activities, lectures, and social gatherings:
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
- 10:00 AM: Flight operations briefing
- 11:30 AM: Official opening with weather briefing
- 1:30 PM: Technical lecture "What Can Your Vario Do?" by Dr. Jürgen Eckert (SKYTRAXX)
- 2:30 PM: Travelogue "Kazakhstan Paragliding Adventure" by Andreas Schubert
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
- from 8:00 AM: Continuation of test flight and networking operations
Discounts and Special Offers
Manufacturers will offer 20% discounts on display models during the weekend. The SKYTRAXX 5.0 Vario is available at a special price of €595 (regularly €689), and 10% shopping vouchers will be raffled as part of a lottery.
The Surrounding Rhön
Anyone visiting the Wasserkuppe should plan for a long weekend: the Aviation Monument, the German Gliding Museum, the Radom building (former NATO radar station), and endless hiking trails through the High Rhön. Those without a license can book tandem flights with certified pilots — this is also part of the Wasserkuppe experience.
Spring Testival Wasserkuppe — edition 2026
Two-day festival format with a clear focus on pilots. Organizer Papillon Paragliding, an established flight operation on the Wasserkuppe. Those wishing to participate in the testival should bring valid flight training and appropriate equipment; spectators are welcome but cannot test equipment themselves.
Programme Spring Testival Wasserkuppe 2026
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026
- 10:00 AM — Flight operations briefing
- 11:30 AM — Official opening with weather briefing
- All day: Manufacturer booths with test flight operations (NOVA, ADVANCE, SUPAIR, SWING, SKYTRAXX, other brands)
- 1:30 PM — Technical lecture "What Can Your Vario Do?" with Dr. Jürgen Eckert (SKYTRAXX)
- 2:30 PM — Travelogue "Kazakhstan Paragliding Adventure" by Andreas Schubert
- Late afternoon: Lottery with 10% vouchers
- Evening: Social gathering on the mountain
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
- from 8:00 AM — Continuation of test flight and networking operations
- Manufacturer consultations and individual test flights until the afternoon
- Dismantling and farewell in the late afternoon
Highlights Spring Testival Wasserkuppe 2026
- Over a dozen manufacturers with test flight operations
- Brands: NOVA, ADVANCE, SUPAIR, SWING, SKYTRAXX, etc.
- Technical lecture and travelogue on Saturday
- 20% discount on display models
- SKYTRAXX 5.0 at special price €595 (instead of €689)
- Three mountain transport vouchers per participant
Prices Spring Testival Wasserkuppe 2026
Participation fee for licensed pilots varies by club/registration. Manufacturer equipment is available for free test flights. Accommodation at Berghotel Wasserkuppe and Gersfeld guesthouses with promo code PAPILLON26.
Practical information — Spring Testival Wasserkuppe
Getting There
By car: A7 exit Fulda-Süd or Bad Brückenau, then B27 / B279 to Gersfeld, from there follow signs to Wasserkuppe. Parking directly on the summit plateau, full on festival weekends. By public transport: Fulda train station, then bus 35/36 or Hochrhön-Express during summer months.
Registration
Registration for the Spring Testival is via the flying club or the festival website. Participants receive three mountain transport vouchers (for the ascent to the launch site with the festival bus).
Accommodation
Berghotel Wasserkuppe and guesthouses in Gersfeld / Bischofsheim / Poppenhausen. Use promo code PAPILLON26 for discounts.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Spring Testival Wasserkuppe al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Spring Testival Wasserkuppe
Wasserkuppe (Hessens höchster Berg, 950 m)
Wasserkuppe — Rhön, 36129 Gersfeld (Rhön)