Skies Over Albuquerque Filled with Wonder

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Karin Leperi

October 13, 2016

By early October, mornings turn cooler in Albuquerque while daytime skies usually remain fair-weather blue. Located in the high desert at elevations ranging from 4,900 feet near the Rio Grande to over 6,700 feet in the Sandia foothill areas, conditions are ideal for hot-air ballooning.

According to state officials, “With nearly a million visitors each year, Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta may be the world’s largest and best-known ballooning event.” Event organizers also say that it is one of the most photographed events in the world.

The 2016 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta marks the 45th year of the world’s largest hot air balloon event. This year’s theme was Desert Kaleidoscope and included 9-days of fun in the Albuquerque sun with 547 registered pilots, 20 different countries, and 100 special shape balloons. (There were 17 special shapes new this year).

The Albuquerque Box Effect

The reason Albuquerque is so conducive to hot air ballooning has to do with what is known as the “box.” This occurs when predictable wind patterns at given altitudes create optimal conditions for maneuvering, since the only way a pilot can navigate a balloon is by changing altitude. It also helps that air is more stable in the morning hours: winds are generally most favorable the first hours after sunrise and the hours just before sunset. If winds are too gusty, launches may be scrubbed.

The basic principles of gravity govern how balloons operate. Specifically, since hot air weighs less than cold air, a balloon will rise when air is heated. Conversely, when the air inside the balloon cools, it will descend. Simple: Hot air is lighter and goes up; cool air is heavier and goes down.

The Wonder Bread Balloon

This year featured some unusual contests for the public with financial incentives. One of them was spotting the Wonder Balloon, photographing it, and then sharing the photo(s) on Twitter and Instagram for a chance to win $1,921, the year the Wonder brand was born.

The Wonder Balloon was piloted by Chris Sabia from Overland Park, Kansas and included his wife Amanda, an accomplished balloonist who serves on the crew and accompanies him everywhere. Brandon East from Oklahoma City is also a long-time member of the crew. According to Chris, he got hooked on ballooning when his dad gifted him his first hot air balloon ride when he was 12 years old. “My love for ballooning and my aviation career took off from that point on,” Chris remarks. “I pilot the Wonder balloon in festivals all across the country and seeing the look of awe and wonder on the faces of spectators as they watch these giants ascend up into the sky reminds me every day what a dream job I have.”

The Wonder brand was born in 1921 after Elmer Cline, a key executive, was awed with wonder at the kaleidoscope of balloon colors at the International Balloon Race at the Indianapolis Speedway. It seemed a fitting name for his new company, and so it was from hot air ballooning that Wonder Bread got its name.

Nine-year-old Julianna was delighted to see the Wonder balloon this year. She wanted another photo of herself with the pilot and co-pilot. Her dad remarked how thrilled she was last year when the balloon landed by the Rio Grande river and she pitched in to help the crew. (Julianna had a little help from her dad). She was here this year to reprise her visit with the Wonder balloon.

Wonder presented an “out-of-the-blue” hand again when a pre-teen girl appeared at the balloon’s launch spot. With mother at her side, the wheel-chair bound beauty announced proudly how she expected to be walking by next year. “I will be crewing for the Wonder Balloon by this time next year,” she gallantly announced.

Even today the theme of wonder continues with the company and its family of employees. According to their home page, “For decades the Wonder Balloon has soared the nation’s skies, bringing a sense of, well, Wonder to all who see it.” As pilot Chris says, “I’m still pretty much in wonder every time I launch the Wonder Balloon.”