Weekend Update & Fw: Balloon Fiesta Park - Weekly Events for week: February 9 - 15, 2026

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President - DCEF

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Feb 9, 2026, 7:48:45 PM (10 days ago) Feb 9

Hi All,

Weekend Update: The Balloon Fiesta Park is OPEN this week. Then the weekend...

The ENTIRE BFP is CLOSED to flying this Saturday morning until 12N for a 5K run. After 12N, D6/7 should be fine for smaller slower aircraft that can stay in these spaces. (Soccer is not allowed in D6 because of the grass. They may be out in D3.)

BFP is also CLOSED in D2/3 all day Sunday for Adult Soccer. We may fly in D6. As per usual, please DO NOT fly over them or anyone else in the Park. Keep planes on the smaller/slower side. Thanks!

BFP Weekly Forecast: Weather Underground 10 Day

Daily Reminders: Don't forget to visibly hang your Gate Card from your rearview mirror while you are at the Park. Check the 2 Runway Barriers/Signs for right lane position with the signs facing out to block each end of the Runway. Do respect the Balloonists if they are up and give them full airspace. Watch for and avoid other park users. Refrain from flying in the airspace above them. Remember that the airspace over the Golf Training Center (Driving Range) is a NO FLY ZONE. Clean up your Area or Crash Site when you're finished, as well as all broken prop blades. If you see a broken prop, even if it is not yours, please pick it up and throw it away. Thanks.

Flight Awareness: Stand 25' back from the Runway to allow for a Safety Margin and so all Pilots have a clear visual perspective. All turns from the Runway shall be away from the Pits. (Always fly to the west of the Runway over D6) The prevailing wind directs the Flight Pattern. (North Wind effects a Left Pattern and South Wind effects a Right Pattern at BFP) Call out Take-Offs, Landings, and any Maneuvers that could affect another Flyer. Use common sense if performing an unusual Flight Plan or Maneuver. Communicate with others if flying large or fast aircraft. Try to stay north of Key Grab (E/W road) so as not to interfere with the gliders. Unless everyone agrees otherwise, Micros may NOT be flown in or from the pits while others are using the Runway. Micros may use the D7 grass to the north or south of the North Blue Awning when the Runway is occupied. Refer to Protocol.

Duke City Electric Flyers: The next club meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday, February 11th at the North Domingo Baca Multi-Generational Center from 7-9pm. Address is 7521 Carmel NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113.

Bring your newest aircraft, project, or question for discussion. Remember, DCEF members get an extra discount at Hobby-Proz! Just show your card.

I have included the DCEF Application as a download. Remember, you may also apply down at Hobby-Proz. The apps are underneath the magazines. Just fill it out and leave it and $10 with Ray or one of the guys. They always make sure I get them every time I visit the store.

Marcelino Guadalupe Armendariz: Many of you may have heard that our good friend and fellow flyer Marcelino has passed. Cards or flowers may be sent to 6305 Gambel Oak Court NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111.

Open Viewing will be on February 16th from 6:30 to 7pm followed by the Rosary & Eulogy. Daniel's Family Funerals, 7601 Wyoming Blvd. NE.

His Mass will be held on February 17th at 9:30am. Risen Savior Church. 7701 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Followed by his burial at Gate of Heaven, 7999 Wyoming Blvd. Reception to follow after the burial at Daniel's Funerals.

God Bless you, Marcelino. You were one of the best and friendliest guys I've known.

Cheers,

Greg Rullman

President

Duke City Electric Flyers

Hint of the Week: I've had issues with an F-5 Tiger II recently. I know it'll be fast. Skyler's is a sight to see!

Maidened it about a month ago. Tail-heavy. Crashed. My fault for trusting an unreliable internet source.

New Fuselage. Everything as good or better than new. Second take-off proved very unstable in Nose Gear Steering. As soon as it picked up speed, the smallest correction made it swerve off the side of the Runway. I was already very mellow in rates. I had softened the Main Gear Springs as they were very strong. Thought maybe they were an issue. Wasn't on 1st flight! Had minor tip damage, so back to the shop and try the next day.

Tightened the springs back up. Re-adjusted Rates and Expo on NGS. Same exact dance on the roll. Never took off. Tip Missile Rail damage. Took it home for another fix. This time went the other way with expo (reduced).

Next day, again, the same thing! OK!? Of all things, it did not exhibit this behavior on the very 1st flight. STOP. I had a couple Assan Steering Gyros left over from other projects. Great little units. They totally tame this sort of thing. Installed. Tested out on the front road. Everything good. Locked in! Yay!!

So, today I went out. Plugged her in. Lights, but no movement. Re-bound her. Great... movement. Pulled the Bind plug. Everything off. Back on. Lights, no movement. Damn! I did have a thought of flying her after I bound her, but That quickly faded from my mind. Back home we went.

Different Rx... Lights. Movement! Assan Gyro working its magic, too! Range Check. All good.

So. I had plenty of chances to force her into the air. Even extra T.O. attempts, I did not do, because I knew there was an underlying issue. Finally, I got her running straight with the gyro. Then, I found one more issue... the receiver. I had a chance to fly her then, but I didn't. Why? Because, operating with a receiver that is now suspect is asking for trouble. Not to mention, dangerous.

And, the hint... Guys, don't risk your aircraft. You paid good money and spent gobs of time on it. More importantly, don't risk other folks' safety. That's the most important thing. Keep you, you friends, park patrons, safe, always. Don't let the inner urge of flight push you into failure. Nothing is that urgent. If there is an issue, no matter how many times you take a plane back home to fix... DO THAT!

I wish all of you many safe, many fun hours of flight every day.

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----- Forwarded Message -----

From: Rice, Susan <asr...@cabq.gov>

To: Rice, Susan <asr...@cabq.gov>

Cc: Gonzales, Sarah <sarahg...@cabq.gov>; Martinez, Jimmy <jimmym...@cabq.gov>

Sent: Friday, February 6, 2026 at 02:52:32 PM MST

Subject: RE: Balloon Fiesta Park - Weekly Events for week: February 9 - 15, 2026

Hi All,

If you are renewing your gate passes by credit card, please use 505-768-6062 until the Golf Center opens April 1, 2026

Thanks!