8 minute read
Hot Air
Hot Air - 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
By Alicia Barry Whitman, WATCH Managing Editor
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You may have seen the trend on social media about creating core memories or important life events that ultimately define who you are. They are the little moments that stand out in our memories for our lifetime. They may be that time you met Minnie Mouse at Disneyland, jumped out of a perfectly good plane to skydive, married your best friend, gave birth to a child or stood on top of a glacier in Austria. As an adult, I have found it more difficult to simply experience life and actively tell myself to smell the roses because there’s always a schedule to meet. There is an event that tests the mundane the first week of October every year in the Land of Enchantment that will easily create a core memory. That event is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, and this year they are celebrating 50 years of Fiesta!
Born and raised in New Mexico I know few things to be true, the smell of chile being roasted signals that fall has begun, Albuquerque has the best sunsets and the Balloon Fiesta is an experience not to be missed. Yes, you have to wake up early for the morning launch, but breakfast burritos and hot chocolate will be awaiting your embrace.
Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Ride Co.
50th Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
This year marks the 50th time hundreds of hot air balloons dance in the turquoise skies of New Mexico, decorating views for miles with the most colorful and beautiful designs. The Fiesta days start in the crisp morning hours with Dawn Patrol and Mass Ascension. Dawn Patrol are select balloons that depart while it is still dark and allow other balloonists to watch for wind patterns at different altitudes. The Mass Ascension can be considered the main event, where 500 or more balloons depart from the 80 acre launch field (the total park is 365 acres). Various competitions and events fill the daylight hours. The nights shift to light up the dark park with glowing balloons that are held stationary on the ground called the Balloon Glow. Toward the end of the week the specialshapes balloons make their debut, drawing more of a crowd. One notable favorite of mine are the “kissing bees.” There are many events located at the Fiesta Park so be sure to check it out as you plan your trip! If you can’t make it this year, you can follow along live at www.balloonfiesta.com/Live-Stream.
Prior to this year’s event, I had the opportunity to speak to a few balloon pilots to get their unique perspective from the gondola and how they interact with air traffic control (ATC). I first interviewed Jessica Price who is a 6th grade math teacher by day and hot air balloon pilot and instructor at every available opportunity. I also spoke to Scott Appleman, founder and president of Rainbow Ryders, Inc. the largest balloon ride business in the United States. Scott has been active with the Fiesta for 40 years and has held board positions since 1984. He has over 6,500 flight hours, held board positions in tourism and has flown in 47 States and 3 countries.
From its inception, the Fiesta has changed in many ways. Scott’s first time at the Fiesta was at a different location in Albuquerque: the State Fairgrounds. The space was much too small to accommodate the amount of participants at the Fiesta, necessitating the need for the 80 acre launch area and the Fiesta’s very own museum. This year’s Fiesta will have about 650 balloons representing 15- 29 countries. Over 1 million spectators are anticipated to attend the Fiesta throughout the week.
How do you become a Balloon Pilot?
What started as an interest in doing a tether for a balloon led to a 2004 balloon rally where Jessica was welcomed into the balloon community and asked to fly at Fiesta. To say she was hooked from that point on does not emphasize her passion. Jessica now has over 740 flight hours, from both crewing and instructing.
To become a balloon pilot you must obtain a Lighter-than-Air (LTA) certification. There are three types of certification: Student Balloon Pilot Certificate, Private Balloon Pilot Certificate, and Commercial Balloon Pilot Certificate. Depending on how you want to fly will determine which certificate best suits your needs.
Jessica obtained her Commercial Balloon Pilot Certificate in 2010. This allows her to operate her aircraft for hire, instruction, and participate in commercial flights. A part of this Certificate is to pass a written Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Knowledge Test (or hold a Pilot Certificate for any powered aircraft) and pass an oral and flight Practical Knowledge Test provided by a FAA Inspector or Designated FAA Flight Examiner. In addition to Certificate requirements, Jessica participates in and encourages others to attend at least one safety seminar per year. The FAA also offers WINGS - Pilot Proficiency Program. This program is designed so that pilots who maintain currency will have a safer flying experience.
Scott wishes people knew that you could turn your ballooning passion into a six-figure career. However, the best part about it are the memories that are created: not just your own, but those who fly with you. In the late 90s, Scott ran into a past customer that reminded him about their flight, “You took me and the Mrs. on a flight in Albuquerque and she still talks about it!” Scott says that being a part of someone’s memory in a good way is a “privilege” and “quite an achievement.”
Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Ride Co.
How is ATC involved with Ballooning?
Specifically for Fiesta, Jessica said the FAA puts together mini informational sessions leading up to the event. These sessions can discuss how close one balloon can get to another (fabric to fabric, aka a “kiss” is acceptable), highlight safety tips and tricks (like when one balloon climbs up under your balloon and how to slowly climb off of it), and discuss weather phenomena like wind patterns.
Albuquerque has unique terrain with mountains to the east, a valley, and a mesa to the west. Because of this geographic landscape, something called the “Albuquerque Box” was established. The Albuquerque Box is caused from the air near the mountains as the morning sun rises, pressing the layers of air into the valley. This allows balloonists to navigate downwind and retrace their flight, being able to land near their takeoff site.
The FAA is also in discussions with the balloon industry about ADS-B. We have found that it’s not as simple as adding equipment. For any aircraft, weight is an important component to consider when preparing to flight; in a balloon it is very important to consider weight and balance because the slightest outside force can make the biggest impact on the aircraft. Scott has been a part of many initiatives involving Albuquerque ATC Tower/TRACON (ABQ) and Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) and has said they are “nothing less than amazing” to work with.
Women in Ballooning
When she first started, Jessica said she didn’t give it much thought because she was warmly welcomed into the community. As she gained experience and met more people, Jessica grew to understand that aviation and ballooning is male dominated. She has met other females who question whether they are deserving or good enough to fly a balloon. “This is something we need to uplift,” says Jessica. “I’m 5’1” and I fly on a pedestal.” Though most male counterparts do not use a pedestal to fly, women need to find ways to circumnavigate the challenges they face, like using a pedestal. Other women seek her out to share their stories and the community grows from it. Scott enjoys flying with women because they are “more detail oriented” than their male counterparts. The industry is a male dominated sport, but most requests to fly are by women.
A way to reach out to those younger generations, men and women alike, is through the Balloon Federation of America (BFA) balloon camp for youth. Their mission “is to encourage the natural curiosity of youth to pursue involvement in the lifelong sport of ballooning.” Not only does this overnight camp teach the basics of ballooning but it also introduces youth to the ballooning community.
Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Ride Co.
The WATCH - Fall 2022 | Pages 7-9
