Flying hot-air balloons in Rio Rancho & Albuquerque

Promoting Hot-Air Ballooning Through Education & Community

Monthly Flying Events

AAAA Flying Events are Fun!Earning your pilot’s certificate is just the beginning of an exciting journey. Our mission is to advance the technical and competitive aspects of ballooning, enhance flying skills, and promote a safer, more enjoyable flying environment. We offer a variety of flying events — formal and informal, local and out-of-town — designed to challenge and inspire pilots and crew alike.

Our Events Aim to:

  1. Foster camaraderie among club members through shared experiences.
  2. Create opportunities for pilots to assess and enhance their flying skills.
  3. Introduce competitive flying, teaching its fundamentals in a supportive setting.

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These events aren’t just for pilots! Balloon enthusiasts of all skill levels are welcome to get involved, whether it’s by participating in scoring, event organization, or even stepping into the role of a balloonmeister.

While we take flying seriously, we also know how to have fun! After each event, tailgating brings us together for some lighthearted competition of a different kind — from culinary showdowns to creative crew challenges. You can learn more about our crew-focused activities on the Crew Development page.

Whether you’re a seasoned pilot or part of the crew, we invite you to join us in these engaging, skill-building, and community-driven events. Let’s make ballooning both exciting and rewarding for everyone involved!

The Competitive Flying Event

Ready to take your flying to the next level? Competitive flying combines skill, strategy, and a touch of daring! Start by learning the fundamentals: understand the event rules, familiarize yourself with the scoring process, and discover what it takes to earn those all-important points.

Not only will you refine your flying abilities, but you’ll also gain insight into your performance. Track your progress, see how you stack up against other pilots, and find out who’s leading the club standings. Competitive flying is a thrilling way to challenge yourself while connecting with fellow ballooning enthusiasts.

Whether you’re looking to climb the ranks or simply enjoy the experience, these events offer an exciting opportunity to grow as a pilot.