Bergische balloonists
The balloonists from Bergisch from Wiehl in Oberberg have grown into one of the largest and most successful balloon sport clubs in Germany since they were founded in 1986 .
Since 1991 the association has provided up to three members of the German national hot air balloon team without interruption. Victories and good placements at national and international level, as well as the establishment of some records in endurance and long-distance driving could be achieved. The greatest successes to date have been the German championship title in 2002 (German championship for hot air balloons in Warstein) and the world championship title won in 2004 in Mildura, Australia (16th FAI World Hot Air Balloon Championship in Mildura / Australia) in front of 87 competitors (both titles were won by the Markus Pieper win), who only went to Germany for the second time.
But the club is also successful beyond the sport of ballooning: the inauguration of a professional and professional balloon hall, the commissioning of a launch site according to §6 LuftVG in 1999, the recognition as an aeronautical workshop, the maintenance of an aviation school, constant training and further education of Young and old pilots, regular organization of competitions as well as balloon rides in the Alps and on the sea reflect the active work of the association.
In the spring of 2009, after a change in the board at the end of 2007 and extensive restructuring, the club again hosted an Oberbergische Kreis and NRW regional championships and thus returned to active competition.