Chinese spy balloons? Nope: It s the world s oldest gas balloon race. It’s been 15 years since elite ballooning pilots have gathered in the United States for the Gordon Bennett competition. They’ll be launching for this year’s race during an international balloon fiesta that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to the heart of New Mexico each fall. The launch window opens Saturday. This year some worry that the massive balloons could be mistaken for Chinese spy balloons. But pilots are more concerned about charting a path out of bad weather and on to victory.
Chinese spy balloons? Nope: It s the world s oldest gas balloon race. It’s been 15 years since elite ballooning pilots have gathered in the United States for the Gordon Bennett competition. They’ll be launching for this year’s race during an international balloon fiesta that draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to the heart of New Mexico each fall. The launch window opens Saturday. This year some worry that the massive balloons could be mistaken for Chinese spy balloons. But pilots are more concerned about charting a path out of bad weather and on to victory.
A radio, batteries and a trap door on the side for stretching are some of the things pilots are relying on to endure what s been called the world s oldest gas