Sat, Sep 27, 2003
'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."
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