I think you can't generalize Europe - every country has its own rules. For RC planes are different regulations wether you use gas engines or electrical ones of course the size of the model is also relevant. For real life gliding: you are allowed to land everywhere (airspace violations of course apply, nonetheless). If you damage some crops your obligatory insureance pays.
The winddirerection changed during my flight and we had downwind and a leerotor at the normal landingplace. Thats why I try another place to land and I was flying with a higher speed than normal befor the landing. It was the idea to land high because the ground is better than on the loser part.
