# buildwith · Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (chase crew): sources

Row #20 of `experiences_v1.csv` (research pass 3 Oct 2026, IST). Dates and deadlines come from `cal.py` (date check 4 Oct 2026, IST), which is the source of truth for dates, with the 4 Oct 2026 source-rule audit applied. The page deliberately shows **no prices** and no contact emails; see the official site.

| Fact used | Source |
|---|---|
| Name, place (Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA), continent | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Guest-Guide-2026.pdf (primary) · https://www.balloonfiesta.com/get-involved/volunteers-aibf/ (secondary) |
| Usual timing: Early October | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Guest-Guide-2026.pdf (primary) · https://www.balloonfiesta.com/get-involved/volunteers-aibf/ (secondary) |
| What you build / use: USE: crew a hot-air balloon (launch/chase/pack-down) | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Guest-Guide-2026.pdf (primary) · https://www.balloonfiesta.com/get-involved/volunteers-aibf/ (secondary) |
| How a traveller takes part: 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 | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Guest-Guide-2026.pdf (primary) · https://www.balloonfiesta.com/get-involved/volunteers-aibf/ (secondary) |
| Participation level: Crew (open) | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Guest-Guide-2026.pdf (primary) · https://www.balloonfiesta.com/get-involved/volunteers-aibf/ (secondary) |
| Entry requirements / deadline: Volunteer Navigators: min 5 shifts/25 hrs; apps 2 Feb-15 Aug (2026) | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Guest-Guide-2026.pdf (primary) · https://www.balloonfiesta.com/get-involved/volunteers-aibf/ (secondary) |
| Verification note (research pass): Crew registration details from official 2026 guest guide (via search summary). | experiences_v1.csv |
| Date: 3–11 Oct 2026: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2026. Official dates. Happening now. Build/use: Crew a hot-air balloon (inflate, chase, pack down). How to join: Register as chase crew online or at the Chase Crew tower / Crew Corral on the field. | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/plan-your-visit/faqs/ |
| Date: 2–10 Oct 2027: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2027. Official future-dates list. Build/use: Crew a hot-air balloon. How to join: Register as chase crew online or on the field. | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/plan-your-visit/faqs/ |
| Take-part route "Crew a hot-air balloon" (Crew): 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. | Re-worded from the CSV row and the dated items above |
| Take-part route "Volunteer as a Navigator" (Crew): Navigator volunteers commit to at least 5 shifts / 25 hours; applications ran 2 Feb–15 Aug in 2026. | Re-worded from the CSV row and the dated items above |
| Check note: Crew registration details come from the official 2026 guest guide (via a search summary). | CSV verification notes / dated items above |

## Skills you'll need (section 03)

| Fact used | Source |
|---|---|
| Skills (this experience): Ground-crewing a hot-air balloon: layout, cold and hot inflation (holding the mouth, crown line), launch; Chase and retrieval: tracking the balloon, landowner courtesy, pack-down; Crew safety: gloves, clothing, never wrapping lines around hands | Skills research, checked 2026-10-04 (IST) |
| Difficulty (our estimate): Beginner (physical, early starts); prep time (our estimate): 1–2 hours reading. Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures. | Curiosta editorial estimate |
| Refresher, practice and safety steps: 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. / Listen to the pilot's crew briefing: every pilot assigns roles (crown line, holding the mouth, basket) and you do only your role. / 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. / Never wrap a rope or line around your hand or body; if the balloon lifts, let go. / During chase, keep the balloon in sight, obey traffic laws, and never drive onto private land without permission; respect crops and livestock. / At pack-down, squeeze air out from the crown towards the mouth and fold or bag the envelope as the pilot directs. / 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. / 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. | Our summary of the resources below |
| Resource (Official; publisher: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc.): 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. | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/plan-your-visit/faqs/ |
| Resource (Official; publisher: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc.): Pilots and Crews: Hub for crew registration and pilot and crew videos. | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/pilots-and-crews/ |
| Resource (Official; publisher: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc.): Volunteer FAQ: Physical demands, clothing and the volunteer and Navigator options. | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/get-involved/volunteer-faq/ |
| Resource (Official; publisher: Federal Aviation Administration (US 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. | https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/Balloon_Flying_Handbook_FAA-H-8083-11B/bfh_chapter_6.pdf |
| Resource (Official; publisher: Balloon Federation of America (US national governing body for ballooning)): Crew Achievement Award Program (CAAP): The national balloon body's crew skill levels, from apprentice to master crew chief. | https://bfa.net/index.php/education-training/pilot-and-crew-achievement-programs/crew-achievement |
| Also consulted for the skills section | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/get-involved/volunteers-aibf/ |
| Also consulted for the skills section | https://www.balloonfiesta.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Chasers-Club-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf |
| Note: The 2027 crew-registration window isn't published yet. | Skills research (gap recorded) |

## Check notes shown on the page

- Crew registration details come from the official 2026 guest guide (via a search summary).

## Our grouping

- Levels shown: Crew (our grouping of the CSV participation level "Crew (open)").
- Usual months used by the month filter: Oct.