Weekend Update & Fw: Balloon Fiesta Park - Weekly Events for week: June 15 - 21, 2026

[President - DCEF]

Hi All,

Weekend Update:  The Balloon Fiesta Park is OPEN this week and Sunday.  BFP is CLOSED to flying this Saturday for the Party in the Park.

   It looks like they'll be setting up W, T, & F for that one and tearing down on Sunday only.  So do watch for workers and keep clear of them.  I am going to ask about this one as it looks like that event is only happening after noon on Saturday.  Maybe we can fly that morning.  I'll report back soon.

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.

>>>NEW<<<  Los Lunas Indoor Flying:  Friday Night Indoor Flying, sponsored by the Belen Area Radio Controllers (BARC), has moved to the Los Lunas Senior High School Gym on the 1st and 3rd Friday from 6-10pm of every month. 

1776 Emilio Lopez Rd., Los Lunas, 87031.  Check attached map for entry.

   I25 to Los Lunas Main Street.  East on Main, then 1st left on Emilio Lopez Road.  North to Los Lunas High School.  Take 1st entrance to the East side of the building.  Follow the blue line on the map.  The handicap parking area is where you will park if you need to use the elevator to come up to the gym.  These doors will NOT be open.  You will need to call me (John) and I will come down and let you in.  If you can carry your stuff up 13 steps with 3 landings breaking them up, then you can park in the Park Here area and up the steps to that open door.

If you should happen to arrive and the main gate is closed, please call me and I will open it for you.

There are chairs available in the gym, but you will have to bring your own table or just use an extra chair or 2.  We will have to get out any chairs we use and return them when we leave.

You must be an AMA member to fly for insurance reasons.  So, don't forget your AMA card.

Thanks,

John  (505) 975-0321

Cumberland Heights Presbyterian Church Indoor:

To all Indoor Flyers:

NO FLYING THIS WEEK at Heights Cumberland Church on Thursday 6/18,

due to church summer camp for the kids.

ALSO CANCELLED is the following normally scheduled event on July 2nd.

OUR NEXT SCHEDULED event will be on Thursday, July 16th at 6:30 pm.

I will send out details early that week.

Questions: Neall Doren - ne...@haughtmail.com

            call/text:    (505) 681-5998

Cheers,

Greg Rullman

President

Duke City Electric Flyers

Hint of the Week:  When the flight line is busy, maximize your flight-time, and other's, by watching for aircraft to set-up for landing and prepping to be ready to go when they do touch down.  You can even station your gear out near the Runway so you can get in the air faster.

   It's also a good idea to watch for others getting ready and what kind of kite they are preparing to take up and to possibly keep them similar.

   Flying similar aircraft together also helps to keep the pattern at relatively the same speed and consistency.  You know...  jets with jets, props with props, etc.  It works out to be a safety kinda thing.

   Another trick is to actually communicate with your fellow flyers.  They may not mind you flying with them even if the birds are dissimilar.  ...or maybe they will wait,  ...or maybe you might want to wait.

   Of course, there's always the option to kick back and gab...

   Aww, no way!  I'ma flyin'!!

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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: Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 01:15:47 PM MDT

Subject: RE: Balloon Fiesta Park - Weekly Events for week: June 15 - 21, 2026

Hello,

 

Gate #4 is still damaged and will be closed, but Gate #3 is working again.

 

Those of you using Grass Panel D1 – the new Restroom #4 is open daily on the south end for access to family restrooms in both men’s and women’s entrances.

 

Thanks,

 

 

SUSAN RICE

recreation services division manager

o  505-768-6050

m 505-228-3144

e  asr...@cabq.gov

cabq.gov/parks