'International' Balloon Fiesta May Lose 'International' Flavor

It's a new rule that the FAA issued, that may have devastating consequences for next week's Albuquerque Balloon Festival: the FAA says that foreign pilots will no longer be given a 'courtesy' license -- they'll have to pass a flight review before they can fly here.

The annual Fiesta, the world's largest gathering of hot-air balloonists, typically saw 140 of its roughly 1000 entrants, come from other countries. That one-in-seven group is suddenly, effectively banned from participation -- there simply isn't time to get them all cleared. Even though the Fiesta's numbers have been decimated since September 11 two years ago, the proportion has remained relatively constant.  The Fiesta starts next Saturday, October 4.

Hoping for at least a temporary loophole...

Kathie Leyendecker, a spokeswoman for the Fiesta, said, "The balloon fiesta has confidence that our Congressional delegation will provide us with the exemptions that will allow the show to go on."

Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R-NM) has contacted DoT Secretary Norm Mineta; Senator Pete Dominici (R-NM) has written FAA Administrator Marion Blakey. He said, "I am in contact with the FAA to ensure that its regulations are not inadvertently and unnecessarily creating a logistical nightmare for the international balloonists who help color our skies every year. I am hopeful that we can get this worked out before the Balloon Fiesta starts."

FMI: www.faa.gov; www.aibf.org