Pilots participating in 2023 Balloon Fiesta face new requirement

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – All of the more than 500 pilots who are expected to participate in the 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta were required to take an extra step before they were approved to be a part of the event this year. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires commercial hot-air balloon pilots to hold a second-class medical certificate while flying passengers, like commercial airplanes and helicopter pilots.
The rule was adopted in November of 2022 to