General Membership Meeting - April 2025
2025-04-22 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Denver) | Anderson Abruzzo Int’l Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Dr NE, NM, 87113, United States
Come early to socialize with friends!
Zoom link will be sent out via email to members a couple of days prior to the meeting.
At the April meeting, we’re pleased to welcome Lt. Col Andrew Metelko from the Air Force Safety Center here in Albuquerque. He’s an aviation physiologist and will share some of the techniques the Air Force has developed for managing risk in aviation. He’ll use the Balloon Fiesta as an example case.
We’re also expecting the new manager for the ABQ FSDO, Eric Thomas, to introduce himself. Eric will be back in May to give us his vision for the local FSDO going forward.

AAAA Flying Event - Balloon Fiesta Park
2025-05-11 06:00 - 10:00
LOCATION: Balloon Fiesta Park
0515 – Registration Begins
0545 – Pilot Briefing
LOCATION – NE Corner of the Fiesta Field, enter off Balloon Fiesta Parkway
Please click on this link to PRE-REGISTER no later than 5 pm on May 9th.
Click here for the Crew Certificate of Understanding (COU).

Education Committee Meeting - May 2025
2025-05-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Via Zoom Only
All meetings take place via Zoom. Please contact the Education Committee Chair for a meeting link.

Board Meeting - May 2025
2025-05-19 17:30 - 19:30

Rio Grande Classic
2025-05-23 - 2025-05-26

General Membership Meeting - May 2025
2025-05-27 18:30 - 19:30 | Anderson Abruzzo Int’l Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Dr NE, NM, 87113, United States
Our program for May is still scheduled to be Eric Thomas, the new acting manager from the Albuquerque FSDO. He’s going to give us some insights into his approach to that position, and we’re excited to have him getting involved with the local balloon community.
Come early to socialize with friends!
Zoom link will be sent out via email to members a couple of days prior to the meeting.

Balloons & Beverages! — Hot-Air Balloon PAINT NIGHT
2025-06-02 18:30 - 21:00 | Kelly Jo Designs by Wine, 6829 4th St NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, 87107, United States
Join us for another great FUNdraiser for AAAA!

Kelly Jo Designs by Wine will donate 25% of class fees and bar sales
to our balloon club. Bring a friend or two and have some fun!
Click Here to Buy Tickets!

In-Person Private Pilot Ground School
2025-06-06 - 2025-06-08 | Balloon Fiesta Main Office, 4401 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuque, NM, 87113
Registration for this Ground School is CLOSED.

Education Committee Meeting - June 2025
2025-06-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Via Zoom Only

Balloons Over Angel Fire 2025
2025-06-13 - 2025-06-15
Watch a field of hot-air balloons at sunrise as they gracefully float up into the cool morning air of the Moreno Valley. Balloons Over Angel Fire is one of the few high-mountain hot-air balloon events in the country. Learn how the balloons work, talk to the pilots, take lots of pictures and spend Father’s Day weekend enjoying the laid-back pace of Angel Fire, NM.

Schedule of Events
Friday
Gates Open 6:00am
6:30am-9:00am Mass Ascension – Angel Fire Airport
9:00am-5:00pm Vietnam Veterans Memorial Open
5:00pm-7:00pm Cool Summer Nights
Free Concert at Liberty Square Park

Saturday
Gates Open 6:00am
6:30am-9:00am Mass Ascension – Angel Fire Airport
9:00am-4:00pm Mimosas on Mainstreet

Sunday
Gates Open 6:00am
6:30am-9:00am Mass Ascension – Angel Fire Airport
10:00am-4:00pm Angel Fire Farmer’s Market – Frontier Park

What You Should Know Before You Go
Angel Fire Weather
The average temperatures in Angel Fire in June range from 60-70 degrees during the day. Nights and early mornings may get down into the 40s but make for great summer grilling and bonfire weather.

How To Dress For The Weather
The best way to dress in the mountains is in layers. Start with a light sweatshirt or sweater over a t-shirt or tank top. Sunglasses, a hat and a raincoat or umbrella will have you prepared for varying weather. All events are outdoors and apparel is casual.

What To Bring To Tailgate At The Angel Fire Airport
The ascension events at the Angel Fire Airport are a bring-your-own-seating and food, type of festivity. Lawn chairs, blankets, strollers and wagons are all acceptable. You are encouraged to tailgate open up that cooler and get fueled up for summer mountain fun.

Prices & Promotions
Balloon sightings, live music, the street fair and the farmers market are all FREE to attend. There will be food and beverages available for purchase, along with local art and produce.

San Juan River Balloon Rally
2025-06-13 - 2025-06-15 | Bloomfield, NM, Bloomfield, NM, United States
Mass Ascension — Friday, Saturday, Sunday at 6:30 am
Balloon Glow — Saturday evening at 5:30 pm
Lots of Entertainment & Vendors!
Contact the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce with questions. (505) 632-0880

AAAA Flying Event - Rio Rancho [ CANCELLED ]
2025-06-14 | Rio Rancho, Rio Rancho, NM, United States
We want to encourage pilots to support flying events around the state. Towards that end we have decided to cancel the June flying event. Please go support other organizations around NM as they host great rallies throughout June. For questions please contact president@hotairballooning.org.

Board Meeting - June 2025
2025-06-16 17:30 - 19:30

Top Gun Monthly Flying Event
2025-06-21, 2025-07-19

General Membership Meeting - June 2025
2025-06-24 18:30 - 19:30 | Anderson Abruzzo Int’l Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Dr NE, NM, 87113, United States
Come early to socialize with friends!
** Meeting will be on the 1ST FLOOR this month. **
This month’s topic — our own Cynthia Lay will give us an overview of current ballooning-related tech, apps, and resource websites for pilots and crew. Come with your own suggestions to share!
Zoom link will be sent out via email to members prior to the meeting.

Int'l Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally — Raton, NM
2025-07-04 - 2025-07-06 | Raton, NM, Raton, NM, United States
Hot air balloons will fly at 6:30am (weather permitting).
If you are a pilot interested in participating, please print and complete both a Pilot Application and Pilot Agreement.
Interested in being a Sponsor, Download the Sponsor Form!

Education Committee Meeting - July 2025
2025-07-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Via Zoom Only

AAAA Flying Event - Balloon Fiesta Park
2025-07-13
LOCATION: Balloon Fiesta Park
0515 – Registration Begins
0545 – Pilot Briefing
LOCATION – NE Corner of the Fiesta Field, enter off Balloon Fiesta Parkway
Please click on this link to PRE-REGISTER no later than 5 pm on July 11th.
Click here for the Crew Certificate of Understanding (COU).

Board Meeting - July 2025
2025-07-14 17:30 - 19:30

General Membership Meeting - July 2025
2025-07-22 18:30 - 19:30 | Anderson Abruzzo Int’l Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Dr NE, NM, 87113, United States
Come early to socialize with friends!
This month’s topic — Steve and Joan Coffing will give a presentation on the celebrations around the Birth of Hot Air Ballooning in Annonay, France.
Zoom link will be sent out via email to members a couple of days prior to the meeting.

AAAA Flying Event - Rio Rancho
2025-08-09 | Rio Rancho, Rio Rancho, NM, United States
LOCATION: Rio Rancho – Westside & 10th Street, across from Joe Harris Elementary School
REGISTRATION: 5:20 am
BRIEFING: 5:50 am
PRE-REGISTER by Friday at 5pm: https://www.cognitoforms.com/AAAA23/AAAA2025PilotCheckIn

Education Committee Meeting - August 2025
2025-08-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Via Zoom Only

Top Gun Monthly Flying Event - Day 1
2025-08-16

Top Gun Monthly Flying Event - Day 2
2025-08-16

Board Meeting - August 2025
2025-08-18 17:30 - 19:30

Great American Duck Race / Balloon Rally - Deming, NM
2025-08-21 - 2025-08-24 | Deming, NM, Deming, NM, United States
Balloon Pilots needed!
Reach out to event organizers at (575) 567-3905.

[CANCELED] — Elephant Butte Balloon Regatta
2025-08-22 - 2025-08-24 | Elephant Butte Lake State Park, Elephant Butte, NM
Unfortunately, this year’s event had to be canceled due to extremely low water levels in the lake. We’ll see you next year!

General Membership Meeting - August 2025
2025-08-26 18:30 - 19:30 | Anderson Abruzzo Int’l Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Dr NE, NM, 87113, United States
Come early to socialize with friends!
Our program for August will be Brendajulissa Diaz from the Rio Rancho school district who’s students have been building and programing small electronics payloads. AAAA members flew these CubeSat payloads at the May flying event, and Brenda will be giving a talk on what her students have done in the past, what they’ve learned, and what’s next for them. We’re looking for ways to support these students in their STEM education.

Birdies & Balloons Golf Tournament
2025-09-04
We’re thrilled to invite you to our first-ever Birdies & Balloons Golf Tournament, happening Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Arroyo Del Oso Golf Course!
This fun-filled event will bring our community together on the green to raise funds for the education, safety, and social programs that keep AAAA flying high all year long.
⛳ Event Details
📍 Where: Arroyo Del Oso Golf Course
📅 When: Thursday, September 4, 2025
🕖 7:00 AM Check-In | 🏁 8:00 AM Shotgun Start
💵 Entry Fee: $150 per golfer | $600 per foursome
🍽 Includes green fee, cart, range balls, food & drinks
🎟️ Register your team today:
👉 https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/2025-birdies-and-balloons
🎉 Extras

50/50 Raffle
Mulligans for purchase
Ballooning-themed fun and contests
Prizes, pilot crew foursomes, and more!

🙌 Sponsor the Event
We’re actively seeking sponsors to help make this event a success and show their support for AAAA. Sponsorships include great visibility and perks throughout the tournament.
👉 Become a sponsor here
Your participation—whether as a player, sponsor, or supporter—makes a difference. Let’s swing into action and make this a day to remember.
Thank you for helping us keep the spirit of ballooning rising high!
