Balloon Fiesta 2011: World Record Launch of 345 Balloons in One Hour


Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2011
It is 4:15 am. We—daughter Ingrid, friends Lynn and Philip, and I—drive into the Intel parking lot in Rio Rancho, a suburb of Albuquerque, NM. Two dozen school buses are lined up and waiting, as is happening at five other temporary bus stations in the Albuquerque area. Our tickets are scanned, we enter the first bus with other early risers. Twenty minutes later, the bus arrives at the makeshift bus terminal of Albuquerque’s 78-acre Balloon Fiesta field. This is the 40th year of the fiesta. It is dedicated to the “Father of Balloon Fiesta” Sid Cutter, who started it all in 1972. This year’s theme is “The Greatest Show Off Earth.”

It is still dark. Some of the early comers line up for a breakfast purchase at the numerous vendor stands. But we don’t waste time and walk right onto the dewy grass, toward the small group of balloons being set up for takeoff in the dark. These are the balloons of the “Dawn Patrol.” They will assess wind conditions aloft for the massive takeoff to come shortly.

Launch of Dawn Patrol
The winds are calm at ground level. The Dawn Patrol balloons rise into the night, with required white navigation light dangling from the baskets.

Dawn Patrol (photo courtesy Ingrid Truemper)
It becomes apparent that winds aloft are gentle. Together with the clear sky and the 50 deg F temperature, we have perfect conditions for balloon flight.

Ingrid is an Intel employee and thus can invite us for breakfast served in the Intel hospitality tent at the south end of the field. The sun is still behind the Sandia Mountains as we return to the field, which by now has become covered with rows and rows of balloons in various stages of takeoff preparation for “Mass Ascension.” 

First, the balloon hull is inflated with a fan driven by a small 4-cycle engine.

Inflation of the Balloon ...

... produces colorful insight
Once the fan has filled the balloon with air as much as possible, the burners of the basket are intermittently turned on, blasting flames into the hull.

As the heated air expands, the balloon rises upright. Pilot and passengers climb into the basket, and off they go into the twilight sky. The chase crew takes after them in a van, using radio and GPS to keep track.

Taking to the sky
The closely spaced balloons of each row jostle for space as they take shape.

Jostling for space
In the climbing sun, a virtual flood of balloons takes to the sky. It is a most amazing sight. Most have the typical round style.

Honoring POWs and MIAs
Balloons from a number of countries ...

... with interesting themes

 Funny, whimsical, strange balloons surprise us.

An angel takes off ... (photo courtesy Ingrid Truemper)
... and happily smiles aloft (photo courtesy Ingrid Truemper)
Pigs can fly

Cows, too
Opposing forces of Star Wars: Yoda ...

...and Darth Vader (photo courtesy Ingrid Truemper)
More UFOs (Unusual Flying Objects): a stagecoach ...
... and a bottle of beer
Bumblebee Mama (red), Papa (blue), and Baby (purple) take off ...
... for a family outing
About 500 balloons are launched this morning; 345 of them in one hour, a new world record.

The field, huge as it is, is not large enough to simultaneously accommodate 345, let alone 500,  balloons. So once a row of balloons has been launched, additional vans with balloon trailers in tow drive onto the now empty row, set up, and launch their balloons. This produces rolling waves of balloon takeoffs. It requires perfect preparation, management, and execution, a hallmark of the Balloon Fiesta. 

We return to the Intel parking lot with the bus, get lunch at Ingrid’s home, rest some, and in late afternoon return by bus to the Balloon Fiesta field. After a tasty dinner supplied by one of the numerous food vendors, we wait for dusk.

A small group of gas balloons is readied for takeoff into the night. Three trucks with huge helium tanks supply the gas. Gradually, the balloons take shape. Once filled to capacity, they will take off in a distance race: Whoever goes farthest, wins the prize.

Gas balloons
The main event is the “Twilight Twinkle Glow”. The balloons are prepared as if for takeoff, but the burners are used just enough to keep the balloons filled and upright.

Twilight Twinkle Glow begins
Night descends rapidly. Coordinated by repeated count-downs of the announcer, the burners are fired in unison, producing glowing balloons of intense colors all over the field.




The day ends with beautiful fireworks. What a fiesta it has been! 

Statistics for the Fiesta: 734,466 visitors; 563 balloons of 22 countries, including 98 special shapes balloons.

The message is simply this. If you have never been to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, make sure to be there next time. It will be an unforgettable experience.

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