50th Anniversary Of The Feierwon Hot-Air Balloon’s First Flight

While the skies of America and Europe were no strangers to hot-air balloons from as early as the late 1960s, the history of ballooning in the Grand Duchy did not begin until 1974, when five longtime friends and amateur pilots – Poully Emering, Alfi Feltes, Jang Sauber, Norri Theisen and Pit Thibo – decided to switch from aeroplanes to balloons and founded the Commune Aérostatique du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg. They had no idea just how much their association would shape Luxembourg’s aviation culture.

Their first step was to purchase a hot-air balloon from the British manufacturer Cameron Balloons Ltd. The balloon was christened Feierwôn (or “Chariot of Fire”) and made its maiden flight from Rambrouch to Noerdingen on 1 February 1975. The name Feierwôn is a reference to the song by Luxembourg poet Michel Lentz, which was written in 1859 to mark the first train journey from Luxembourg railway station. Like the trains from that period, a hot-air balloon is also powered by fire – a charming detail.

With the right maintenance and care, the envelope of a hot-air balloon can last for around 500 to 650 flying hours. Today’s Feierwôn is therefore already the fifth replica, and made its maiden flight in March 2021. It boasts the same design as the original. This deliberate continuity in name and appearance honours the founders and symbolises their values: friendship, passion, respect and solidarity.