The tradition of adding new, he concept of hosting a remote-control fun, and exciting events to the balloon rally during Balloon Fiesta came Albuquerque International Balloon from a web site where I learned about a Fiesta® is still alive and well Guinness world record being established when 50 remote control balloons were today. Sam Parks, Balloon Fiesta’s infl ated at the same location. I then T Director of Operations and former learned that several American balloon pilots actually Balloonmeister, describes how this own and operate RC balloons. A few enthusiasts have new event for remote-controlled even brought them to Balloon Fiesta over the years, (RC) hot air balloons began and is as curiosities and toys to play with during post-fl ight tailgating. becoming the Balloon Fiesta’s latest Without much expectation for its fi rst year, we – and popular! -- attraction. organized a rally of ¼ scale hot air balloons to participate during three days of the 2021 Balloon Fiesta. I was pleasantly surprised when over 30 RC balloon owners responded to our invitation. This year Balloon Fiesta will again host the Fiesta de Los Globitos Remote Control Balloon Rally with 83 balloons, which will be the largest gathering of remote-controlled balloons in the world. I am thrilled at how much interest there S has been in RC balloons GHE since our fi rst rally in 2021. HU The balloons are built TT O from lighter weight nylon C O: S and use a small propane T burner to provide the PHO heat for lift. The burner is radio controlled remotely by the operator and the balloons are typically tethered to the ground. When the RC balloon operator adds more heat the balloon will rise. Allowing the balloon to cool off causes the balloon to descend. Remote control ballooning does not require a FAA pilot’s license, and people of all ages can enjoy ballooning on a smaller scale. I know several FAA-certifi ed balloon pilots who have built a miniature RC version of their full-size balloon, a hot new trend among balloonists in Albuquerque and elsewhere. Some are so realistic that it’s diffi cult, at a distance, to tell them apart from their full-size cousins. The average cost to buy a remote- control balloon is $5,000. Balloon Fiesta is very pleased to grow the sport of PHO ballooning through the Fiesta de Los Globitos, which is T O: VICSpanish for party of the little balloons. T OR B ANT A OFFICIAL PROGRAM OFFICIAL PROGRAM 261