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

[President - DCEF]

Hi All,

Weekend Update:  We're getting warmer outside, so that means the BFP will become more congested over these next few months, mostly on weekends.

   The Balloon Fiesta Park is OPEN this week and Saturday.  There will be ongoing AFD Pack testing thru-out the roads in the park every weekday during March.  The annual Doggie Dash will be setting up on Friday & Saturday for their event in D1 on Sunday.  All of BFP is CLOSED to flying this Sunday until noon for this event.  Flying is allowed in the afternoon.  Soccer will be in D3 again on Sunday afternoon as well.   Please keep to the north if you go.  Smaller, slower aircraft are more suited.

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 center 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 (cigarettes/trash) or Crash Site (all pieces/parts) 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, AIRCRAFT may NOT be flown in or from the Infield (D7 between the Blue Awning and the Runway) while others are using the Runway.

It is OK to fly from the Pits only IF:

A.  You are alone, just you and your plane.

B.  Everyone else agrees, understands, and is doing the same.

   As soon as anyone goes to fly from the Runway, Infield Flying and any Infield Agreement STOPS.  Even if you are already flying, land safely or move to the Runway.  MICROS may use the Infield to the north or south of the North Blue Awning when the Runway is occupied and there is agreement with everyone flying.  However, remember that BFP is primarily for bigger, faster planes because of its fantastic Runway and grass.  Please keep these little wonders well behind the Runway and NOT over any Pilot.  Refer to Protocol.

Duke City Electric Flyers:  CHANGE YOUR CALENDARS  DCEF will now continue its meetings on the second Thursday of each month.

   The next club meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, March 12th at the North Domingo Baca Multi-Generational Center from 7-8:30pm.  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.

Los Lunas Indoor Flying:  Another CHANGE...  Friday night flying, sponsored by the Belen Area Radio Controllers (BARC), will be moving to the Los Lunas Senior High gym.

   As soon as I get another update from John, I will let everyone know the specifics.

Cheers,

Greg Rullman

President

Duke City Electric Flyers

Hint of the Week:  I messed up this past Sunday, so I will pass it along as a learning experience...  mostly for me.

   Soccer was in D3 again, as they have been the last few Sundays.  I went to the field with a new FlightLine P-51 that I was very interested in getting a good maiden flight done.  Now, up front, this was my fault all the way, but, I wanted to show how a distraction(s) can push anyone into careless behavior.

   I set up as usual.  No problems.  Range check.  Good.  Winds, dead calm.  Runway, clear.  Take off to the North to avoid flying over soccer, no issues.

   But, then I tuned into the aircraft and its trimming and proceeded to fly my usual path around D6.  I was more concerned with the plane than on my flight path!  That was in the back of my mind.  I was high up, checking things, but I did venture over D3 and soccer a couple of times.  I remember sort of trying to keep the plane within D6, but that's not what I was truly focused on.  I was lazy about exactly where I was.

   A coach came over and yelled at me right after I landed.  I did think that he might have been a little curt about it.  I was high after all.  But, I had to digest it right then.  There was no doubt, I had flown over top of them.  I said "I'm sorry", then something to the effect of we won't do that anymore.  I don't remember the exact words.  I made an effort to be kind, as I was in the wrong.  I, and the guys, kept a more diagonal course SW to NE to avoid getting past Key Grab and south over D3.  There were no more issues.

   The lesson is:  Don't let distractions interfere with safe flying.  Sometimes, it takes extra effort.  Slowing the process down could help.  To be sure, NOT flying works every time!  Safety ALWAYS comes first.  It's real easy to forget.  Even when you're the one writing the code.

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

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

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

Cc: Gonzales, Sarah <sarahg...@cabq.gov>

Sent: Friday, March 6, 2026 at 09:57:19 AM MST

Subject: FW: Balloon Fiesta Park - Weekly Events for week: March 9 - 15, 2026

Hi all,

 

We are moving into the Spring and the Balloon Fiesta Park will increase in use. Please read your email to avoid a waisted trip to the park when it is reserved for an event.

 

Construction will continue through the summer and Gate 12 will remained closed.

 

Restroom #2, just inside gate #9, the main entrance from the East Parking lot, will be open.

 

Thanks,

 

 

 

SUSAN RICE

recreation services division manager

o  505-768-6050

m 505-228-3144

e  asr...@cabq.gov

cabq.gov/parks