Crewing was an amazing learning experience. Even if it meant setting the alarm clock for 5:30 AM each morning. After all it wasn't too long ago that we did the same for work, and although this was also work, it was more fun. Much more!
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reporting for duty early each morning, then waiting for
the word from our pilot: to fly or not to fly... |
Pretty soon I gathered that when it comes to ballooning, just like in the Goldilocks story, conditions have to be "just right." So even though we reported for duty before sun-up, it was up to the pilot to decide whether the conditions were favorable for launching and flying that day.
Every morning there was a pilot's briefing at 6 AM where a meteorologist would report on wind speed and direction, both of which are critical since there is no way to steer a balloon. Balloons can't safely operate in winds over 10 MPH. In addition there are several areas around the balloon launch field that pilots need to avoid. The large Sandia Pueblo reservation lies directly north of the field, and restricts balloon launches and landings. And the Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque International Airport, and downtown Albuquerque all lie within just 7 to 10 miles south of the launch field. The pilot and his craft are at the mercy of wind currents that can change without notice, and needs to be confident to launch and land without incident. During the Fiesta, the weather changed unpredictably from day to day. On a couple of occasions launches were canceled due to the higher winds and occasional rain showers.
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| zebras on the field |
Additionally, with close to 600 balloons on the launch field, there had to be some order. There are officials in black and white striped uniforms called zebras who manage each launch and give the pilot an update on direction and time of launch, followed by the final clearance to lift off.
Each morning the field was abuzz with pilots, crew, and throngs of excited spectators. I was surprised that families with young children were on the field that early, in the dark.
The morning program began with Dawn Patrol sponsor balloons launching first. This was followed by a balloon with the American flag launching to the the national anthem.
Then followed the large Rainbow Ryder balloons taking up paid patrons.
Finally individual pilots would launch, row by row, in order, once cleared by the zebra. As they waited for their turn, the pilots would gather in groups to confer with one eye on the wind direction and the other on the direction the first balloons were being carried. This would determine the flight pattern for that morning and help decide whether to launch or remain tethered. And each morning was just a little different, depending on winds and temperature.
Layne Wolters, our pilot from Missouri, was great to crew for. Laid back yet extremely competent, he made our experience memorable and fun. Layne, like so many balloonists, learned the sport from his father from an early age and eventually the ballooning bug bit him too.
When we first met him, Layne explained that his balloon is a little different from the typical balloons because it is a racing balloon and therefore has a sleeker shape. And he also mentioned that we would thank him for this because the narrower shape makes it lighter and easier to handle the envelope when laying out and re-packing. In addition his balloon is made of a lighter weight fabric.
He proved to be right. Balloons are rather heavy because of the volume of fabric. We helped his buddy Brian set up his traditionally shaped balloon and I could feel the difference between the weight of the two balloons when it was time to gather the envelope and feed it back into the bag.
When Layne mentioned that he sewed his own envelope I became an instant fan and admirer. Anyone who handles that much fabric and creates a product that is safe to launch into the air is worthy of admiration in my book! A more critical look at the construction shows that the envelope, just like a quilt, is made up of panels that are sewn together into long rows (called gores) and then the gores are sewn together to create the balloon shape. Keeping track of the order for quilt block assembly is often a challenge. But quilt blocks are typically the same size squares while the panels of a balloon vary in size and shape to create the tear drop shape. Additionally, a balloon is gigantic by comparison with a flat quilt for a bed.
I was impressed.
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| M, T, pilot Layne Wolters, and new Boomer crew friends Ron and Cece |
On Saturday, Layne launched from the field and as his crew we got to experience our first chase. Chasing a balloon is not easy! First of all, his was one of dozens of airborne balloons so spotting him was a challenge from inside a moving vehicle. And when we did spot him, we had to negotiate unfamiliar roads to aim for the same direction that his balloon was flying. When it appeared that he was beginning to descend, we were never quite sure exactly where he would land. Then just as suddenly the balloon would rise up again and we would continue the chase. Blue Thunder landed in a golf course and we had to wait for Layne's call for directions to the golf course and for an escort to take us to the landing site so that we could pack the balloon and pick Layne up. He was one of several balloonists landing on the golf course that morning and it became obvious that the staff and golfers on the course were prepared and quite accommodating to the landing intruders during Fiesta days!
The balloon safely dismantled and stored, we all returned back to the field and so ended our first crewing shift. It was barely 10 in the morning yet we had already put in several hours of exciting work. Naps and rests became a routine.
Each day, there was a different program schedule: Mass Ascension, competition, Special Shapes Rodeo, Flight of the Nations. In the evenings, there were Balloon Glows, a Special Shapes Glowdeo, laser light shows, sky divers, fireworks. The special shape balloons were amazing. There were pigs, a cow, fish, dogs, cats, cactus, robot, you name it. The variety in colors and shapes was remarkable. There appears to be no limit to the size and type of balloon.
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| special shapes glowdeo |
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| special shapes cat and dog eyeing one another |
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| father and son balloonists - Darth Vader and Yoda |
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| it was fun watching this balloon inflate |
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| more interesting and gigantic shapes |
The Fiesta is huge, popular and well attended by locals as well as curious tourists, drawing balloonists from many counties. The Albuquerque schools plan their fall break around Fiesta, such is the impact of this world-renowned event. The throngs arrived daily, the parking lots were bursting, the traffic a nightmare. By 6 AM when we were getting ready to leave for the field, the cars were lined up for miles driving into the park.
As the sun began to rise over the Sandia Range to the east, you could sense the excitement on the launch field as the balloons inflated and prepared for launching. It was fascinating to watch the colorful envelopes take shape and come to life, then rise gently and quietly to fill the skies above.
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| the commercial pilots preparing to take their patrons for a ride |
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| Layne waiting for zebra clearance to launch, with us "weight on" to hold the basket down |
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| one of many character balloons among the regular shapes |
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| with his previous record, I warned Michael to stay away from the owl! |
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| that's Vincent, the balloon from the Netherlands, preparing to launch |
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| huffing their way to life |
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| a pilot preparing to launch from a neighborhood home |
Competition days were interesting. I realized that participating in the competition was more complicated than simply landing at Fiesta Field and tossing a bean bag or ring on to a specific marker on the ground within a given amount of time. It also required careful speculation on wind direction and speed which affected the choice of a location and precise time from which to launch.
Competing pilots launched from various sites around town. The biggest challenge was to find the perfect spot from which to launch so that the winds would carry the balloon in the correct direction back to Fiesta Field in the allotted amount of time. It would take Layne several attempts of driving around to various spots before he was happy that the location and wind direction were most favorable.
I teased that competition mornings were when Layne took us touring through various neighborhoods around the city.
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watching the pibal (helium balloon released to detect speed and direction of wind)
to determine if this was the best spot to launch |
Apparently no area is off limits for a launch off the field so long as the wind is right. We watched balloons launch from business parking lots between office buildings, from vacant lots, school yards, and even people's yards and driveways. I was amazed at the cooperation of the city as vans and trucks zipped around, parking their trailers and hauling out their balloons where they saw fit. It was definitely a week when city residents and businesses were tolerant of balloon pilots and crew. When we and several other balloonists arrived at one couple's home as a possible launching site, the owners came out to greet us, offered us the use of their bathroom and said we could help ourselves to the apples in their small orchard. Even the cops who directed traffic made allowances for chase vehicles and crew to turn down closed roads.
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while at Cabella's parking lot to determine the wind speed and direction, we enjoyed
watching the Mass Ascension of special shape balloons from Fiesta Field including the
Brazilian Christ the Redeemer, pink elephant, and a gigantic boot |
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two balloons inflating in an empty lot from which our pilot also decided
to launch |
Once the pilot was on his way it was easy to make our way back to Fiesta Field, track our pilot and pack up the balloon.
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| woo hoo! |
I've saved the best for last. Both of us got to fly with Layne! What an amazing experience that was. Crewing for a pilot does not mean that we would get to fly. And most of the Boomers did not get to fly. We were very fortunate that we each had a turn. Inviting a crew member to get into the basket is at the pilot's discretion. And since Layne flew solo during his first competition day, I was rather taken aback when the next competition day he was in the basket ready to launch and asked me if I had my camera with me. I thought he wanted me to take a picture of him taking off. When I confirmed that I had my phone camera with me, he told me to get in the basket and off we flew. Or rather, like the song says, we gently rose up, up and away... It was marvelous. Unforgettable. Quite amazing.
I was floating for the rest of the day.
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taken in flight from the balloon, approaching Fiesta field
with dozens of other balloons, all attempting to aim for the marker |
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| safe landing |
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| approaching Fiesta field, which is 47 acres in area |
Those who know me, know that I hate flying with a passion. But this is different.... I felt no fear, yet we were floating far above the ground while gently moving in the direction of Fiesta Field.
The goal for the competitors that morning was to drop two bean bags into one of the targets shaped like a triangular hour glass. One bag had to land in each triangle.
We took off from a site south of the Fiesta Field and the gentle winds carried us northward until we were due east of the field. Then Layne dropped to a lower altitude and caught winds that moved us westward right over the field. Then he dropped down further to just a few feet off the ground, and the winds carried us south right over the target area. Since you cannot steer a balloon, I'm still not sure exactly how he managed to maneuver close enough to the target. And how Layne accomplished aiming and landing his bean bags into the target, while firing bursts of flame to keep the balloon aloft is remarkable. I can only conclude that ballooning is not only a skill but an art. With perhaps a dose of Layne-luck too.
Each morning the field was abuzz with pilots, crew, and throngs of excited spectators. I was surprised that families with young children were on the field that early, in the dark. 
