For Claude Hermes, 7 September was no ordinary day. The seasoned Luxembourg balloon pilot proudly unveiled and christened a brand-new hot air balloon, adding a new chapter to a remarkable career that first took flight over thirty years ago.
Hermes is a familiar face in Luxembourg’s aerostatic circles and a regular at international events. Last summer, RTL followed him to Chambley, where the Enenvol festival drew more than two hundred balloon pilots from around the globe.
His love affair with ballooning began in 1993, as a passenger during the World Championship held in Luxembourg. That first ascent was in an RTL-branded balloon, an experience he remembers vividly as the start of his passion.
The thrill of that maiden voyage proved life-changing, inspiring Hermes to dream of one day taking the controls himself.
Years of dedication and saving up led him to earn his pilot’s licence in 2002, and he has been exploring the skies of Luxembourg and beyond ever since.
Flying a balloon is only part of the adventure – designing and building one is a challenge all of its own. To ensure the very best equipment, the Cercle Luxembourgeois de l'Aérostation entrusted the construction of its latest balloon to Schroeder fire balloons, a leading European manufacturer based near Trier.
The entire process, from concept to final assembly, is handled in-house and requires true expertise.
The creation of a modern hot air balloon begins with choosing ultra-light, durable materials.
The basket is still crafted by hand from wicker, prized for its unique woven structure that is both stiff and exceptionally flexible. It’s a natural material that acts as a shock absorber during rough landings.
The burners, also made by Schroeder, are custom-engineered to guarantee stable temperatures during early morning flights.
Each balloon is meticulously assembled by skilled specialists, in line with strict civil aviation safety standards.
For any pilot, the first flight of a new balloon means far more than just updating their gear. Every envelope has its own identity, and every inauguration is an emotional event.
This particular launch, held near Meysembourg Castle with sponsors and fellow members of the Cercle Luxembourgeois de l'Aérostation in attendance, represented the culmination of months of planning, design, and careful preparation.
A new balloon like this comes at the price of a high-end car – around €75,000 – which is why sponsorship is crucial for pilots. This time, Raiffeisen stepped in as sponsor and used the partnership to celebrate the bank’s centenary.
Beyond the financial aspect, a balloon’s inaugural flight is also about celebrating the camaraderie that defines the world of ballooning. Every successful flight relies on the hard work of a dedicated ground crew, who prepare the balloon, track its journey, and coordinate landings.
For the pilot, while an emotional moment, it is always a shared adventure.
On 7 September, strong gusts made conditions far from ideal, but Claude was determined to send his new 3,000-cubic-metre balloon aloft. He knew he could rely on his trusted team, which he calls "indispensable ground crew".
For Claude, that team is made up of Marc, Marc, and Bernadette, long-time friends who follow the balloon’s path in a 4x4 and trailer.
As Claude puts it, "In ballooning, you always know where you take off, but never exactly where you’ll land".
