Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Bloons

The 2022 Balloon Fiesta just concluded here in Albuquerque. My wife and I just moved to the area this spring, so this was our first chance to go and we really enjoyed it. We went to the Friday evening session which was "Special Shapes" so there were balloons shaped like all kinds of cartoon characters, animals, etc. We also went to the Sunday morning Mass Ascension during which several hundred balloons were inflated and flown in about an hour and a half. Combining that with a beautiful morning sunrise over the Sandia Mountains was spectacular. Here are some photos and one short video.















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Always enjoyed that!

Steve Stucker is a hoot there...

Yeah, it was a lot of fun! Both our moms came to stay this week and see it for the first time. Both in their 80's so I am glad we were able to experience it together.

I like the third picture, where on the left someone had a balloon that was modeled after Joe Biden...
Wonderful and accurate portrayal of Broadway Joe...the detail is astounding...

Bloons > LOL

U-funny

Couple of them remind me of the Pink Floyd Animals album

Asking anyone in the know...., Are balloons expensive and how do you go about learning to fly them. What's the typical distance one flies? I guess when you're landing, it a general vicinity thing?

I think you need to have plenty of money, or a sponsor...

You also need a pilot's license.

Don't know where you'd go to take flight lessons though.

The cost varies and I don't know what parameters increase the cost, but basket size is likely one of them. There were balloons for sale at the BF ranging from $12k up to $50k.
Learning to fly is probably done through other balloon pilots and the FAA. Not sure where you would get that done, but balloons fly around here year round.
Distance is up to the pilot and the winds. Pilots can control a balloon vertically but that is it. Max wind speed to launch is 11 mph. Landing areas can be anywhere there is enough room for a 200 foot balloon to deflate and not hit anything on the way down. The time I flew in one we skipped a few times and then dragged on the ground and the basket tipped over, bringing us to a stop. It was a lot different than I expected hut still safe and fun. During BF with 650 balloons flying they were landing in parking lots, backyards and any open space they could find on some of the busier days.

Cool...

Any man with a passion/hobby kinda thing.

That’d be cool to see.


I doubt it’s 650 balloons, But Natchez MS has a fall balloon festival.
Keep saying I’ll go one year…..

Big Dave,

Opening day the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta had 625 launch that morning and many more that filled and did not launch.

We had 3 different groups (family & friends) in for the event. I went 5 times, 3 early morning and 2 evening.

As pilots register they are provided a number for their balloon. I saw number 811 in use. They start with number 1 and progress, so the total number of balloon in flight is reported in the Albuquerque journal.

You have the ability to watch the replays they are listed as AM and PM for the days the events went off. We experienced some rain this year along with the wind that kept a few days fro taking place.

So take the time to watch and listen to the different days events.

https://balloonfiesta.com/Live-Stream

Sorry, i shoulda worded it better…

Not doubting the number of balloons in the AB fest.

But comparing it to the size of the Natchez one.

Natchez is not that big.

A little camo; a fifty cal.; what the hey go hog hunting.

There was a bad balloon crash in AB last year, not during the festival. It killed the pilot and 4 passengers. He flew it into a power line that cut off the gondola, dropping it about 100'. I read that the autopsy showed cocaine in his system but I've never heard if he was actually high at the time.

That’s cool! They have a rally around here on occasion but it’s nothing as spectacular as that.

There have been a few fatalities over the years.
Mostly power line related.
Some have caught fire and burned.
Relatively safe all-in-all, but mishaps do occur.
If you ever get a chance, take the ride. Lots of fun.

I recall hearing that report.

.

Sounds like he was at least 100' high.