Philippe Buron-Pilâtre’s Blog
Founder at Grand Est Mondial Air Ballons
Pilatre de Rozier Organisation’s
Grand est Mondial Air Ballons Organizer
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What is the most important moment on the #GEMAB
We are often asked what is the most important moment in the Mondial. We would be tempted to say that every take-off is important. Because each time,...
Contest on the most beautiful line .
Our pilot coordinator Damien has launched a contest with the aerostatic world to note a series of photos showing the various Great Lines that took...
A Great Line unique in the world
Some flights mark you forever. We all remember our first flight, and this is also the case for this very special flight on the Great Line. A flight...
An astronaut balloonist
Among the new European astronauts who have just been appointed is a Belgian, Raphaël Liégeois (Belgium), who studied biomedicine before graduating...
Soon the end of the Early Bird special rate
Pilots from all over the world have until November 28 at 11:59 pm to benefit from a special rate to register for the #GEMAB. Beyond that they will...
November 21st 1783, a flight to change history
Today is a big day in the ballooning world. Internationally, it is commonly called Montgolfier Day in memory of the Montgolfier brothers, the French...
Collector of pilot jackets
Since the first editions, the GEMAB organization has always looked for the most beautiful poster and the best slogan. These will be duplicated on...
How to find accommodation?
Many pilots ask us how to find accommodation during the Mondial. Our pilots coordinator has drawn up a map of accommodation within 20 minutes of the...
The Hard Work of the Flight Director
The GEMAB has known only four flight directors. In 1989 it was Pierre Barré replacing Thierry Villey-Desmeserets at short notice. Then in 1991,...
Good Morning Chambley, the GEMAB radio
Born more than 15 years ago, the radio Good Morning Chambley gives rhythm to the days of the GEMAB. It broadcasts on 98,5 MHZ (in general) but also...
The 50 years of the ABQ Balloon Fiesta
50 years ago, a few hot air balloon enthusiasts took off from a mall parking lot in the heart of Albuquerque (New Mexico - USA). Year after year,...
Apart from the hot air balloon flights
For many editions, the organizers of the GEMAB have set up about fifty activities on the ground and in the air between the morning and evening...
Soon the opening for the first flights ticketing
At each edition, as soon as the dates, the slogan and the visual are announced, the public phones in the GEMAB offices. Is it possible to register...
The GEMAB pilot jacket is the number one communication tool
The GEMAB pilot jacket is the number one communication tool Ah the famous embroidered pilot jackets that are offered to the hundreds of pilots who...
Now, we say air show
Now, we say air show When organising an aeronautical event involving the public and various aircraft, it is necessary to declare the event to the...
A colourful Ballonville public
A colourful Ballonville public Since its creation, GEMAB has devoted a large part of its organisation to the setting up of activities both on the...
In the heart of BallonVille Pilote
In the heart of BallonVille Pilote A year before the event, registration is open to drivers from all over the world through an application. When the...
BallonVille Partenaire: an essential heart
BallonVille Partenaire: an essential heart Since the creation of the Mondial and a few years earlier in 1983 with the Pilâtre de Rozier challenge,...
Visit of our Swiss ambassador Thomas Seiz
Visit of our Swiss ambassador Thomas Seiz More usually in spring or summer, which allows them to make a short balloon flight and refuel in our...
BallonVille Organisation: those behind the scenes
BallonVille Organisation: those behind the scenes Since 1983 hundreds of volunteers from 11 countries have been involved in the organisation of the...
Finally a year without a pandemic… or almost
Finally a year without a pandemic... or almost 2020 and 2021 were two difficult years for the organisation of major aviation (and other) events....
For the younger ones…
For the younger ones... The Grand Est Mondial Air Ballons was born in July 1989 at the future airport of Metz Nancy Lorraine. This was on the...
One of the best memories: the 1999 edition
One of the best memories: the 1999 edition It is rare to witness the total eclipse of the sun in your lifetime. In 1999, we were lucky enough to...
Organizing a Mondial: almost a sinecure
Organizing a Mondial: almost a sinecure There is no secret: organizing a Mondial is a clever alchemy. It is necessary to take into account the...
The GEMAB books
The GEMAB books 1989, 1991, 1995 and 1999. These four editions have been immortalised in superb photo and text books. If they are all out of stock,...
Filmography on GEMAB
Filmography on GEMAB The first film on Fraternité 89 is fondly remembered for its laughter and tears. Regularly from that time on, and especially...
The tradition continues
The tradition continues On Ascension Thursday, more than 60 volunteers from the association "Les Portes du Ciel" met. Every year at this time, it is...
From Fraternity to GEMAB
From Fraternity to GEMAB The event was born Fraternité 89 in July 1989. Then it became the World Aerostation Biennial in 1991, until 2001. It then...
The GEMAB an economic asset
The GEMAB an economic asset The GEMAB is not only hundreds of hot air balloons that take off morning and evening during ten days with crews from all...
The 3rd edition of the GEMAB on the airfield of Chambley
The 3rd edition of the GEMAB on the airfield of Chambley After the first two editions (1989 and 1991) on the airport of Metz-Nancy-Lorraine, the...
The little anecdotes of GEMAB
The little anecdotes of GEMAB We can't tell you everything, but you should know that each edition has its little anecdotes. The most tasty are...
The village of Dommartin la Chaussée
The village of Dommartin la Chaussée Among the many tourist activities that pilots and crews can do during a #Mondial Air Ballons, there is the...
What to do between the morning and evening balloon flights ?
What to do between the morning and evening balloon flights ? Many people are asking what can be done on the Chambley airfield during the GEMAB ?...
A soviet cosmonaut at GEMAB99
A soviet cosmonaut at GEMAB99 In 1999, the year famous for the total eclipse of the sun, we had the privilege to host Gueorgui Gretchko (1931-2017),...
The first Concorde pilot on the GEMAB 99
The first Concorde pilot on the GEMAB 99 It was one of the dreams of the organizers of the GEMAB to be able to welcome as guest of honor the first...
CharlElie Couture on the GEMAB in 1995
CharlElie Couture on the GEMAB in 1995 Let us remember, the singer - painter - artist with multiple talents and also brother of the actor Tom...