On 25 May 2011, German balloonist Wilhelm (Willi) Eimers set a new FAI world record for duration of a flight in a 250-400m3 gas balloon.

Eimers took off from Gladbeck in Germany and spent 23 hours, 18 minutes, and 30 seconds in the air before landing in Steinfurt, Germany.

The world record he set on that day 10 years ago still stands today. 

About Willi Eimers 

A legend in the gas ballooning world, Eimers has participated in the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett race an incredible 27 times.

He has won the historic race four times and has come second nine times, demonstrating his determination and skill as a pilot.

On top of the record we are celebrating today, Eimers also set a separate FAI world duration record while competing in the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett in 1995, when he and co-pilot Bernd Landsmann won the race by flying for more than 92 hours non stop.

Eimers' other accolades include several German ballooning records, as well as the prestigious FAI Montgolfier Diploma, which he received in 1993.

This year, he was also honoured by being inducted into the FAI CIA Ballooning and Airship Hall of Fame.

Photos: FAI archives