Report by: Marvin Wittschen, Camp Organiser
From 26 July to 2 August, the quiet village of Rothmannsthal in Bavaria, Germany became the meeting point for 34 young people – 17 from Germany and 17 from France – aged between 13 and 17. They came for a week of ballooning, adventure, and cross-cultural exchange at the Franco-German Youth Office Balloon Youth Camp 2025.
A passionate pilot with a military and leisure aviation background, Jarmo Lindberg will welcome conference participants and give a keynote speech as well as hosting the Award Ceremony of the 119th FAI General Conference in Vantaa, Finland this October. A member of Finnish parliament and a retired general from Finnish armed forces, Lindberg is also a member of the board of the Finnish Aeronautical Association.
On 5 September 2025, the skies above Metz will provide the stage for the 68th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett, the world’s oldest and most prestigious gas balloon race. The launch will take place from the Plateau de Frescaty, a symbolic location with a rich aeronautical past.
It was always going to be a tough ride for paramotor pilots to challenge the French on their home territory, and indeed, the results of the 12th FAI Paramotor Championships reflect the domination of the French team throughout the competition in Chambley, France.
This Saturday, 30 August, marks the start of the 24th FAI World Rally Flying Championships in Ferrara, Italy, where the world’s best pilot-navigator crews will compete in tough challenges combining aerial navigation, accuracy landing and precision timing, until Friday, 5 September 2025.
With a warm welcome from Henri Lemoine, Mayor of the nearby city of Pont-à-Mousson, and a greeting from Christian Santini, President of the hosting organisation FFPLUM, the 12th FAI World Paramotor Championships were officially opened. At the reception at the city town hall, 81 pilots and crew members from 15 nations joined the local authorities.
