Record-Breaking Tricolour: Paolo Filippini Takes the World's Largest Italian Flag to the Sky
The city of Ferrara It was the scene of an undertaking that will remain in the history of skydiving and of theItalian national pride. The Colonel Paolo Filippini, official of the Folgore on leave and multiple world champion in parachuting, has established a new record launching himself with the Largest Italian flag ever seen in flight: well 3,300 square meters, equal to 73 meters long e 45.5 meters wide, for a total weight of 130 kilograms.
A epic and highly symbolic momentwith the tricolour flag which flew in the sky above Ferrara to the tune ofHymn of Mameli, thrilling hundreds of spectators and representatives of the skydiving associations coming from all over Italy. The first jump, made with a 1,600 square meter flag, served as a test. But it was the second launch, that of the flag christened “Itala 3300”, to officially enter history.
Meticulous preparation for an unprecedented undertaking
The launch took place atFerrara Aero Club, chosen by Filippini himself for his long experience with the center and for his ideal technical characteristics. Before take-off, the Colonel carried out a series of careful checks to the harness and flag container, designed with a fabric capable of withstanding turbulence at altitude.
At 18.20, after the first test, the time for the big leap finally arrived. On board the aircraft, Filippini had the bulky bag containing the flag loaded on him and took off. A few minutes later, the hatch opened and the Colonel jumped, opening the parachute and letting thehuge tricolour unfolded in all its majesty.
The show was accompanied by the voice of Elena Fabbri, Carabiniere and singer from Ferrara, who intoned theItalian Anthem while the flag was waving in the clear afternoon air. The audience, with their noses in the air, followed every moment of the event with trepidation, exploding in a long applause on a perfectly successful landing.
A message that flies high
The flag throwing “Italy” It was not just a technical demonstration, but a powerful message of unity, identity and love for the homeland. In a historical period in which symbols count more than ever, the tricolour which crossed the sky of Ferrara represented the courage, dedication and passion of Italians.
With this feat, Paolo Filippini has confirmed that it is not only a world-class athlete, but also a ambassador of the Italian spirit.
Important (and imposing) presence of the ANPd'I
The event was attended by, in addition to the civil and military authorities of Ferrara, even leading figures of theNational Association of Italian Paratroopers (ANPd'I): the Secretary General Gen.B. (res) Enrico Pollini, the member of the National Technical Commission Giovanni Conforti, the President of the Ferrara Section Maurizio Grazzi with his paratroopers, and the Sections of the 4th Regional Group, who for the occasion carried out the Area consultation with the National Councillor Massimo Buratti. There are also many parachutists e citizens of Ferrara who came to the event.
Official speaker of the event was Lucio Fusco, Technical Director of the ANPd'I Section of Ferrara. TheANPd'I He also proudly expressed his pride in counting Paolo Filippini among its ranks, as Director of the National Sports Parachuting Coordination Center.
A true, documented and recognized record
The enterprise of the Colonel Filippini It's not only spectacular, but also officially documented and verifiableThe dimensions of the flag were measured by specialized technicians, and the whole event was filmed and photographed by professionals, with the participation of civil and military authorities.
This new milestone clearly surpasses the previous record, also held by Filippini, who in 2015 had made a throw with a flag from 1,600 sq. m.. Not only that: it also surpasses the German record of the team Cypress Demo, which in the 2018 had thrown a flag from 2,607.21 sq. m., recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI).
Sources:
https://assopar.it/2025/04/13/itala-3300-ha-volato-nel-cielo-di-ferrara/
Published by Condoralex
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
Great Paolo!!! Unmatched athlete, military man of class, example for the new generations. The Lord bless you.
An extraordinary feat that fills every Italian with pride!
Congratulations to Paolo Filippini for bringing our Tricolour, symbol of unity and courage, to touch the sky in a form as spectacular as it is significant.