Völtendorf airfield

A small airfield stands beside the Pielachtal Road just outside St Pölten, on the edge of Ober-Grafendorf. The grass strip occupies part of the old Völtendorf garrison training ground and is now owned by the Dietrich Mateschitz Beteiligungs GmbH. It carries the ICAO code LOAD and handles sailplanes, motor gliders, light aeroplanes and helicopters up to two tonnes. Three local clubs—Union Sportfliegerclub, Eisenbahner-Sportverein and Erlauftaler Fliegerclub—merged in 2008 to form the Fliegerclub St Pölten. Dietrich Mateschitz bought the field in 2007 for €455,000, more than the asking price, so that flying could continue. The runway was later resurfaced with plastic grids to stop molehills forming, at a cost of up to €400,000. Visitors find a quiet grass strip lined with a few hangars and club buildings. The surrounding fields stretch towards the hills of the Pielachtal valley. Light aircraft and gliders taxi out for dawn or dusk circuits, watched by members who organise training and displays.