Weekend Update & Fw: Balloon Fiesta Park - Weekly Events for week: July 6 - 12, 2026

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President - DCEF

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Jul 5, 2026, 10:47:16 PM (2 days ago) Jul 5

Hi All,

Weekend Update: The Balloon Fiesta Park is OPEN this week. BFP is CLOSED to flying this Saturday for a 5K Run.

It is also CLOSED Sunday for a Balloon Rally from 5:30-10:30. Obviously you may fly after the balloons get off the field, however Soccer may come out at 12n. Now, if they don't, we can continue flying on Sunday.

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, July 9th 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.

Cheers,

Greg Rullman

President

Duke City Electric Flyers

Hint of the Week: Her's a reminder I'm sure you guys have all heard before. It is one that can't be repeated enough.

Whenever you do work on your electric aircraft and power is ON, please remove the propeller. Yes, I'm sure most folks program a Throttle Safety into their machine... What? You haven't! ...It is a must have. There is a dedicated section in all radios these days just for it. Please use it. It does help keep you SAFE you know.

But, seriously, when working on the craft with power ON, Safety ON, still remove the prop. Sure 99% of the time nothing can go wrong with that Safety protecting you. But, what about that 1%? Is it really worth bleeding for? Worse, having to rush to a hospital to get sewn up?

Yes, we all are pretty good about "knowing" our hobby. But, just like life itself, we all make a mistake sooner or later. That extra time spent wrenching the prop nut off is really worth it if we mistakenly hit the wrong switch, or bump it at the wrong time, or maybe just plain forget to program that Safety in the first place. Yes, I've been there, too... years ago.

And no, I didn't get chopped recently. I know, you know that I usually create these hints from the recent week's experience. This past week was actually pretty good. Stay safe, Amigos.

To unsubscribe, please reply to this newsletter with UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject Box… Thanks! g

----- 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, July 3, 2026 at 03:42:46 PM MDT

Subject: RE: Balloon Fiesta Park - Weekly Events for week: July 6 - 12, 2026

Hello,

Gate 3 is working (when we don’t have it locked open for special events).

Gate 4 will remain closed.

Thanks,