80-year-old pilot honored, windy weather grounds balloons

ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KRQE) – Balloon pilot Roger Hoppe, 80, has seen Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta transform over the years into the massive event it is today.
“I’ve been out here from day one,” he said.
But on the last day of the Balloon Fiesta Sunday, he didn’t get to fly what would’ve been his last fiesta flight before retirement.
Windy weather kept all balloons grounded.
“Winds were blowing about 21 miles an hour when the final call wa