In commemoration of the annual, World famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which is happening right now in Albuquerque, NM, we are delighted to present this colorful rib tattoo featuring two hot air balloons. Propelled only by gossamer breezes and lifted by hot air contained within the colorful envelope, hot air ballooning remains one of the most serene forms of aviation today.
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What makes the Albuquerque Int’l Balloon Fiesta special is the unique Autumn weather patterns that the region enjoys. The “Albuquerque Box” where the cool morning temperatures in October promote Southerly low level winds and Northerly higher level winds – thereby allowing balloon pilots to fly in a vertical box pattern that will optimally bring them back near the launch site for landing. This convenient meteorological phenomena eliminates the need for crews to travel far from the launch site for recovery.
The Fiesta traces it’s roots back to 1972 when KOB, the local radio station, approached Sid Cutter, an owner of Cutter Flying Service (now Cutter Aviation) and the first person in New Mexico to own a hot air balloon, to fly his balloon “Roadrunner” as part of the station’s 50th anniversary festivities. As the discussion continued, it was decided to expand it in an attempt to break the record for the largest gathering up until then… a 19 balloon gathering in England.
The original event in 1972 drew 13 balloons from around the United States, but the event grew rapidly after that point. Balloon attendance reached it’s peak of 1,013 balloons in 2000, but a cap of 750 entrants was established after that as a way to promote “quality over quantity.”
In addition to the nine-day event being the World’s largest gathering of hot air balloons, it is also widely considered to be the World’s most photographed event… with the sight of hundreds of colorful balloons in the air to be one of the most breathtaking sights in aviation.
This beautiful tattoo on the ribs of a fit female balloon enthusiast was created by tattoo artist Ant Iannucci of Ascension Tattoo in Orlando, FL.
Please click on the image above or the link below for a larger image.
Click the above image for the full-size photo.
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