Property owners needed for landing zones
Oct. 1—X marks the spot for balloon landings.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta launched its "X marks the spot" campaign on Tuesday to encourage property owners to welcome balloon pilots to land on their property. People can pick up a large X, which signals that balloon pilots are welcomed to land.
"Pilots are always looking for areas of the land and where they are welcome, and that's where they want to land," said Jim Garcia, a board member for the Balloon Fiesta.
Fiesta officials said that as Albuquerque continues to develop and build, it can be harder for pilots to find a place to land.
Pilots will make a note of whose property they land on, and each day of the fiesta organizers will select one of those owners to receive a prize from the Hispano Chamber of Commerce. There will also be a "staycation" prize for an overall winner.
Garcia said economic impact studies show the Fiesta has about a $200 million economic impact on the city of Albuquerque.
"It's a great revenue producer for many of our members, so we're excited that we're participating in this," Ernie C'deBaca, CEO of the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.
Property owners can pick the Xs at the Hispano Chamber of Commerce, 1309 Fourth SW; M'Tucci's Itallian, 6001 Winter Haven NW; Balloon Fiesta field, 4401 Alameda NE; and The PC Place, 9324 Menaul NE.
"When balloon pilots cannot safely land, or they feel they are not welcome to land, balloon pilots are not going to fly," said Judith Nakamura, a balloon pilot and Balloon fiesta board president. "So this program, X marks the spot with landowners who are welcoming pilots to land, is really a key program to the longevity of Balloon Fiesta as we know it here in Albuquerque."
Nakamura said a good landing zone won't have any power lines and it will have a way for a chase vehicle to drive up close to the balloon. A good rule of thumb for balloon pilots is to have 100 feet of landing space for every mile per hour of wind.
"The bigger the field," she said, "the better."
