Weekend Update & Fw: Balloon Fiesta Park - Weekly Events for week: June 8 - 14, 2026

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President - DCEF

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Jun 7, 2026, 10:18:35 PM (2 days ago) Jun 7

Hi All,

Weekend Update: The Balloon Fiesta Park, D6 is possibly open this Monday-Thursday. D3&D6 are CLOSED to flying this Friday-Sunday for F3L International. Is that soccer? The RV Show will be on Vendor's Row June 8-16. All this week and into next. That's why I'm saying we may be able to fly. Depends on the show's organizers. I will certainly ask them first thing on Monday (tomorrow) and, of course, let you all know.

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: The next club meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, June 11th 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.

GK's,"NINDY" Memorial/D Day Warbird Rally: For those of you who missed it, we had great weather, lots of flying, with about a dozen or so pilots having fun. The winds crept up from the south only around 1pm, yet stayed right down the runway. It was BYOF/D and I liked not having to worry about that and I think most of the guys were fine with no food/drinks as well. It certainly let me fly more!

Thank you, thank you for all that came out to watch and fly. It was fun!

Cheers,

Greg Rullman

President

Duke City Electric Flyers

Hint of the Week: Check Balance Connectors. Whenever you charge. Especially as they age. I am thinking I may even electrically lube mine as when I run them on charge I sometimes notice a discrepancy with volts between cells.

We use our equipment profusely and probably take more than we should for granted.

While charging, if I look and see the cell voltages differ by more than 2-3 hundredths of a volt, I wiggle the balance connector and the adjoining plug. Not always, but sometimes this brings the voltage of the problem cell closer to the others. I'm sure the pins on these little boards get corroded and play games with all of us. The problem is, if left alone this could cause an imbalance on 1 or more cells as the charge finishes. The charger only goes by the input it reads. It does not care about false readings. If way off, you could fly a cell down too far and risk a low total voltage scenario.

Remember, the ESC normally goes by total voltage. If one cell gets too low, it could easily dump hard, reducing the total pack voltage to below minimum to fly. If you only use a timer, things could turn bad rather quickly.

So, keep an eye on these little guys. Best to also use a Cell Voltage Alarm on your Tx. Many late model ESCs send this data. Or, use the Total Voltage trick with the little 2-wire lead that solders between the Battery +/- and the ESC. Vigilance while charging always helps too. I will keep an eye scanning as well and if I find a cure, I will most certainly pass it on.

Note: I lost my little Yak-130 this past week and I'm thinking this just might have been the cause. Everything just turned off all at once... and stayed off all the way into the ground. All of the electronics checked out good post flight. The LiPo on the other hand had cell #4 at complete zero. (I also checked this balance solder connection on the battery and it was good) I thought the total charge was good coming off the charger, but then I don't remember wiggling that connector.

Hopefully, there will be more to come!

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

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

To: asric...@yahoo.com <asric...@yahoo.com>

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

Sent: Friday, June 5, 2026 at 06:48:29 PM MDT

Subject: RE: Balloon Fiesta Park - Weekly Events for week: June 8 - 14, 2026

The gate situation continues:

Gates #3 and #4 are still damaged.

Gate #3 – will remain closed for the near future

Gate #4 – will be locked open during the day, 6:00am – 7:00pm