The Albuquerque Box

Conditions for this morning’s mass ascension at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta were nearly ideal with a great Albuquerque Box. That’s the name for the condition when the heavy cool air flows south down the Rio Grande Valley while the warmer, lighter prevailing wind flows north. By changing altitude the pilot can maneuver in different directions. On TV just now a few balloons were landing back on the field that they left. That is so amazing — and considered a matter of pride for a pilot.

I wasn’t able to go out this morning, but last evening I joined the crew for Iwi the Kiwi, a gorgeous new balloon from New Zealand. Yesterday was the first day out of the bag for this aircraft (this morning, as I write, it’s on its maiden flight). The new shark and butterfly shaped balloons are getting all the attention on TV but Iwi was a big favorite with the crowd last night. He’s 80-some feet high with feet and a very long beak.

Photo taken with iPhone while working crew — just before I was required to add my weight to the gondola to keep this flightless bird on the ground. The twilight makes the balloon appear purplish, but it is actually dark brown.

Iwi doesn't look like much in the bag. The blue tarp is spread in anticipation of laying out the balloon. It wasn't damp, but the tarp, which was considerably shorter than the balloon envelope, gave the crowd notice that the space would soon be occupied.
The essential tool for a hot air balloon — propane burners to heat the air.
It takes a lot of hot air to keep a balloon this large inflated and standing up, even if it's not going to fly. As we deflated Iwi I was thinking I could heat my house for a long time this winter with all this heat.

4 thoughts on “The Albuquerque Box”

  2. We went this morning, and the Kiwi was one of the favorites of my nephew and niece (4 & 2 years old, respectively). Stiff competition from the Spider-pig, though.

    Absolutely wonderful mass ascension this morning, although I always think that sounds like what some doomsday cult would call their suicide pact.

  4. I’m just a part-time worker bee around here, so what I say doesn’t carry much weight, but if anybody comes by and wants to help I’ll bet we put you to work.

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