Wings Over Angel Fire

by K. L. Thompson

Wings Over Angel Fire is an ambitious annual undertaking with a hot air balloon rally, air show, aircraft displays, birds of prey, kite demos, a glow, and much more. This year balloonists enjoyed the weekend in spite of rainy afternoons. Flying went on as scheduled both Saturday and Sunday mornings in this mountain community 8600 feet above sea level.

Forty balloon pilots registered for the event sponsored by International Bank in partnership with Ross Aviation/Pierce Air and Angel Fire Resort. Balloonmeister for the event was John Howard of Angel Fire. Pilot registration took place Friday at the A J Houston Community Center where a buffet with lots of finger food and sodas was provided. A briefing was held at 8 p.m. that evening. The glow that was planned for Friday evening was rained out.

Saturday's launch was scheduled for 6:30 a.m. at the Angel Fire Airport. Balloons were positioned along the runway with plenty of room to lay envelopes out. Balloonists that have to lay out in the dirt at home luxuriated in the grass and tarmac of the airport. Many pilots commented on how they would be able to do a spot cleaning of their envelopes as the grass helped remove the dust.

Unfortunately it was a bit overcast on Saturday so the spectators didn't get full benefit of all the colors aloft, but it was a good day to fly and the competition was on. The hare balloon launched early and laid out the target. The winds were carrying the balloons back toward Angel Fire and most pilots were able to get in the vicinity of the target area but only a few actually dropped their chile batons on what was to have been the first leg of a balloon, bike and run triathlon. The balloon team with the best times for running and biking and the most points for proximity to the target was to have won a week at Angel Fire Resort. Winners were originally to be announced at a luncheon Saturday afternoon at Zebadiah's but it still hadn't been determined who the winner was when we departed on Sunday. The logistics of this particular event proved to be confusing and with each leg being staged in separate areas, many pilots blew the competition off in favor of honoring newbies to the sport at tailgate parties. Many of the pilots were able to stay aloft until their fuel tanks were nearing empty, and a few had some interesting landings amongst the trees.

The balloon glow was attempted again Saturday night but the monsoon rains appeared in the late afternoon and washed it out. But the airshow during the day went on as scheduled with parachutists, ultra-lights, gliders, vintage planes, and radio-controlled planes. The weather early in the day was great and the events were entertaining.

Saturday night's rain didn't deter the majority of pilots because they were at the field bright and early Sunday morning in various stages of wakefulness, anxious for another day of flying. Launch was delayed for a short while because of heavy fog lifting up out of the valley floor with the morning sun. It was short lived and soon everyone was preparing for launch. The early morning cloud cover disappeared as well and the bright sun intensified the kaleidoscope of colorful balloons. It was a beautiful day to fly and to watch. Most of the pilots were able to get in several hops to give crew, sponsors and many of the local townspeople rides.

Angel Fire rates highly among the small rallies in New Mexico. Accommodations at the Angel Fire Resort were first rate; the area is truly fun to fly in; and the locals are a pretty friendly bunch. Our passengers for the weekend were terrific. They offered to show us the area and were so thrilled with the whole experience, they came back the next day to crew and be in on the initiation of the next round of newbie's.

Angel Fire is in the northern New Mexico mountains not far from Taos on the Enchanted Circle Loop. There is plenty to do in the area. Eagle Nest Lake is just ten miles up the road from Angel Fire and has great fishing. The DAV Vietnam Memorial is located between Angel Fire and Eagle Nest and is well worth the visit. Red River is about 35 miles to the north on the Enchanted Circle Loop where shopping and dining are the major attractions during the summer. Skiing, of course, abounds all throughout the area in the winter. Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding are all available in the summer months. For more information on the area, contact the Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce at Box 547, Angel Fire, NM 87710. Phone: 800-446-8177. Visit their web site at http://www.angelfirenm.com/VISIT/.