Photo: Armand Wagner

Photo: Armand Wagner

(JB) The Noertringen parachute club welcomed a new plane and member on Saturday when Prince Félix attempted his first tandem jump.

The second oldest son of Grand Duke Henri took his leap of faith from an aircraft 4,000 metres above the ground.

From there the 27-year-old and his instructor plummeted at 220 kilometres per hour in freefall before releasing the parachute and descending gracefully to earth.

The Prince, who is the patron of the Cercle Para Luxembourg, was also present at the club for the inauguration of a new aircraft, which was named after him.

The parachute club counts some 1,771 members, who have fought for their sport to be recognised in Luxembourg. Club president of 40 years René Klensch said: “It's not just a sport for a few crazy individuals. It's thanks to these people that this airfield can be used today for sports like this one.”

The new single-engine GA8 TC-320 aircraft, worth an estimated 500,000 euros, was part funded by the ministry for sports and tourism.

A high-wing monoplane, it can accommodate up to eight parachutists at a time and can reach heights of up to 4,000 metres.

Photo: Hulya Atasoy