Albuquerque Tricentennial Flight 2006

April 22, 2006 Approximately 100 balloons took flight in a mass ascension at 7:00 A.M.

The Clutch Crew numbered about 14 including future replacements. Due to wind speed we only flew 3 crew members but had a nice long 1 hour and 10 minute flight. We launched from Fiesta Field and flew directly to Rio Rancho with lots of reserve fuel. HSSS Too was sporting a new chute of which Phil got a picture. Oh, did I mention that 100 feet off the deck I was clipping along at 18.8 M.P.H.? I decided to find a longer field in which to land and I hoped to find calmer conditions for Jacob's landing. I guess this was Jacob's second flight as I remember his outrage when Phil accidentally spilled water on him during the ceremony. We flew out to Rio Rancho High and I came over the hill next to it and dropped into the area between and discovered a pocket of dead air. It hit us like a soft cushy column of air. I slid down it into the dirt lot and although we had a couple of good leans we stood up waiting for the crew. Our only casualty was Ben who wanted to fly so bad and with unknown conditions I opted to wait until second hop to determine conditions. Maybe he will go up during Fiesta!

Go to the Clutch Crew Site to see a story by Phil