AAAA Pilot and Crew Tools - Launch Sites

Making your flight better

Pilot/Crew Tools

Upcoming Flying Events

August 9, 2008
Rio Rancho, NM

Balloon Info Line

(505) 263-0222
Courtesy of Verizon

Upcoming Meetings

General Meeting
July 22, 2008
7:00 pm
Garduno's on the Green
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park

Board of Directors
August 18, 2008
6:00 pm
Balloon Fiesta Office

Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque City Parks
Albuquerque allows balloon launching and landing in parks with certain restrictions:
1. DO NOT DRIVE ON THE GRASS
2. NO ALCOHOL IN OPEN CONTAINERS

Balloon Fiesta Park
A limited area at the north end of the park is open year round for launching and landing.

Around Town
Albuquerque is a very Balloon friendly city. You can take off and land almost anywhere you like. Always get permission from the landowner before taking off from private property. Also try to have your crew contact the landowner before landing on private property. Be sure to check the PZ map before flying.

Rio Rancho, NM

Rio Rancho City Parks
Rio Rancho allows balloon launching and landing in parks with certain restrictions:
1. DO NOT DRIVE ON THE GRASS
2. NO ALCOHOL IN OPEN CONTAINERS

Other Areas There are several open areas West of Unser Blvd. and the old 19th Avenue site which seems to be a fairly popular area, but nothing as large as 19th.

Los Lunas, NM

Tome Bowl in Los Lunas
Note: Mileage distances are approximate, your mileage may vary)

  • From Albuquerque - Broadway Ave.
  • I-25 South to the Broadway Exit 215 (Note-As of 7/25/05 the Broadway exit was under construction. You must exit at Rio Bravo (just after the Sunport exit), then West to Broadway and South from there. Keep to the left lane on Broadway).
  • South on NM 47 (11.5 Miles) to the Valencia "Y" Shopping Center (Intersection of NM 47 and NM 6).
  • Turn left at the traffic light onto NM 47.
  • From Albuquerque - I-25.
  • I-25 South to Los Lunas Exit. Continue East through Los Lunas on NM 6 to the intersection of NM 6 and NM 47 (traffic light at the Valencia "Y" shopping center).
  • Turn right at the traffic light onto NM 47.
  • Continue on NM 47 ( 5.5 miles) to Patricio Road (across from the Tome Gallery).
  • Turn left onto Patricio Rd. (note that there are two roads on the left, Patricio Rd. is to the right).
  • Continue to the stop sign (1.5 miles) at La Entrada.
  • Turn right on La Entrada (0.5 miles) to Rio del Oro Loop South, the first paved road on the left, no street sign but there is a housing developer's sign.
  • Turn left onto Rio del Oro Loop South and continue 1.2 miles to the stop sign at Manzano Expressway .
  • From the Manzano Expressway stop sign, continue straight ahead onto the dirt road (drive slowly here, there was a very vehicle unfriendly trench running across the dirt road on 8/6/05).
  • Continue 0.2 miles and turn right onto the second dirt road (turn has a power pole just back from the corner).
  • Launch site is the flat, open area directly ahead on the left.

Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA)
P.O. Box 90160
Albuquerque, NM 87199-0160