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🎈 Americas · USA

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (chase crew)

USE: crew a hot-air balloon (launch/chase/pack-down).

Crew
3–11 Oct 2026Next date
None listedNext deadline / key date
Early OctoberUsual timing
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USAWhere
01 · How to take part

Your way in

Register as chase crew (online from mid-July; on-site daily 5:30-7:30am & 4:30-6:30pm at Crew Corral); Navigator volunteer apps Feb-Aug.

Crew

Crew a hot-air balloon

Register as chase crew (online from mid-July, or on site daily 5:30–7:30am and 4:30–6:30pm at the Crew Corral) and help launch, chase and pack down a balloon. Crew is unpaid.

Crew

Volunteer as a Navigator

Navigator volunteers commit to at least 5 shifts / 25 hours; applications ran 2 Feb–15 Aug in 2026.

You build or use
USE: crew a hot-air balloon (launch/chase/pack-down)
Participation
Crew (open)
Entry and deadlines
Volunteer Navigators: min 5 shifts/25 hrs; apps 2 Feb-15 Aug (2026)
Where
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
02 · Dates

Dates and deadlines, Oct 2026 to Dec 2027

Usual timing: Early October. Dates are only shown where a source publishes them; everything else is marked TBC.

  • 3–11 Oct 2026Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2026Official dates. Happening now. · sourceCrew
  • 2–10 Oct 2027Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2027Official future-dates list. · sourceCrew

See it on the calendar →

03 · Skills you'll need

Skills you'll need

What to learn and practise before you go. Each resource is marked Official or Community-accepted and names its publisher. Difficulty and prep time are our estimate.

Core skill

Ground-crewing a hot-air balloon: layout, cold and hot inflation (holding the mouth, crown line), launch

Also useful:

  • Chase and retrieval: tracking the balloon, landowner courtesy, pack-down
  • Crew safety: gloves, clothing, never wrapping lines around hands
Difficulty our estimateBeginner (physical, early starts)
Prep time our estimate1–2 hours reading

Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures.

Refresher

  1. Chase crews help the pilot inflate, launch, chase, deflate and pack the balloon. You register online in advance or sign up at the Chase Crew tower on the field.
  2. Listen to the pilot's crew briefing: every pilot assigns roles (crown line, holding the mouth, basket) and you do only your role.
  3. Wear smooth leather gloves (loose and easy to remove), natural-fibre layers, sturdy closed shoes, a hat and eye protection. Mornings are cold and the sun is strong at altitude.
  4. Never wrap a rope or line around your hand or body; if the balloon lifts, let go.
  5. During chase, keep the balloon in sight, obey traffic laws, and never drive onto private land without permission; respect crops and livestock.
  6. At pack-down, squeeze air out from the crown towards the mouth and fold or bag the envelope as the pilot directs.

Practise before you go

  • Read Chapter 6 of the FAA Balloon Flying Handbook (Layout to Launch), especially the crew sections.
  • Practise rope handling and knots, and lifting bulky soft loads with a partner.
  • Get used to 5 am starts in the week before.

Safety notes

  • Leather gloves; never wrap lines around hands; let go if lifted.
  • Dress in natural-fibre layers; sun and eye protection.
  • Respect private land and traffic rules during chase.

Resources

Officialofficial FAQ

Balloon Fiesta FAQs (incl. 'What do chase crews do?')

Explains chase-crew sign-up (online or at the Chase Crew tower) and what to wear.

Publisher: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc.

Officialofficial participant page

Pilots and Crews

Hub for crew registration and pilot and crew videos.

Publisher: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc.

Officialofficial FAQ

Volunteer FAQ

Physical demands, clothing and the volunteer and Navigator options.

Publisher: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc.

Officialofficial handbook (government)

Balloon Flying Handbook – Chapter 6: Layout to Launch (FAA-H-8083-11B)

Authoritative crew briefing, inflation and launch procedures, including gloves, clothing and line safety.

Publisher: Federal Aviation Administration (US government)

Officialofficial training framework (governing body)

Crew Achievement Award Program (CAAP)

The national balloon body's crew skill levels, from apprentice to master crew chief.

Publisher: Balloon Federation of America (US national governing body for ballooning)

Note

The 2027 crew-registration window isn't published yet.

All skills guides

04 · Check before you go

What we could and couldn't confirm

Before you book

  • Crew registration details come from the official 2026 guest guide (via a search summary).
  • Costs are not listed on buildwith. Check them, and the latest dates, on the official site.