Video: Time-Lapse Mass Ascension At The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta!

 I highly recommend you watch the video above for it's fabulous time-lapse presentation of hundreds and hundreds of hot-air balloons lifting off at the recent Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta... and then, you should watch the video below that includes more great balloon scenes but also some great overview narration about the event. The 42nd running of the event ran October 5-13 this year and once again proved to be the largest balloon gathering anywhere in the world!

 
 I've always marveled at this event simply because balloons are awesome, and a collection of over 700 balloons in one spot is much more awesome! This is also an exciting time for me as I have had the opportunity to do balloon crew work often in the last year for my son-in-law Mitch who is both a fixed wing and balloon pilot. This has led to having the opportunity to plan to get my balloon rating in the next 6 months. If things go well I might even be buying a used set up so I can work toward running a sideline balloon ride operation. I'll add here that finally emerging from the financial crisis of the last 5 years sure feels good! 

 My interest in hot-air balloons is nothing new. I traveled to Statesville North Carolina back in the early 80's to get my first balloon ride from an employee of the Balloon Works (now FireFly Baloons) and got a great tour of the factory. I almost got my rating back in the mid 80's when my dad was considering setting up a ride operation. That idea didn't fully materialize back then, but here I am about 30 years later with the chance to see it all come together.

 There's also a fair chance that I'll be at Albuquerque next year if Mitch is able to get thru the registration process. I've offered to drive the truck and trailer out there and crew all week for him. Can you imagine the images I could capture there! I'm confident that nine days at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta would be one of my life's greatest memories!

Video screenshot of a mass ascension recently at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Comments

[Maria]

Nice, I will join soon when I'll have a balloon license.
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