What Is the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA) Website?

hotairballooning.org is the official website of the Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association (AAAA), which describes itself as the largest ballooning community in the world. The site serves as the organization's information hub: it publishes news and events, links to a downloadable flying events schedule, lists training opportunities for pilots and crew, and runs an online store. It is aimed at hot-air balloon pilots, crew members, and enthusiasts, particularly those connected to ballooning in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico.

What the organization is

AAAA presents itself as a community organization "promoting hot-air ballooning through education & community." Its site is organized around that mission rather than around commercial booking or tourism services. If you are looking for a ride operator or a sightseeing vendor, this is not that kind of site — it is an association page for people involved in or learning about the sport.

What you can find on the site

News and events

The homepage carries a "News & Events" section and a calendar of upcoming activities. Examples of listings shown on the site include:

• General membership meetings (for instance, a September 2026 meeting at the Balloon Museum at 6:30 pm)
• A 2026 Safety Seminar
• An AAAA Flying Event in Rio Rancho
• The "2026 AAAA Jingle Bell Non-Rally," described as a fundraising event

The site also points to a full Flying Events Schedule available as a downloadable PDF, and to registration for a Fiesta Safety Seminar.

Training opportunities

The site lists both in-person and online training, including:

The site also links to a broader list of workshops and seminars. Note that in-person sessions are marked TBD, so dates are not fixed on the page.

Online store

A store section offers books, pins, AAAA merchandise, and courses. Items shown include a Jingle Bell pin, "Telling Isn't Teaching," the Aviation Instructor's Handbook, and an in-person AAAA Private Pilot Ground School listed at $199.00. Prices appear next to individual products; the site does not state general membership pricing or whether any content requires login.

Who it is for

• Pilots — ground school options, safety seminars, and flying events
• Crew members — dedicated online crew training and "crew stuff" merchandise
• Enthusiasts and supporters — membership meetings, fundraising events, and sponsorship packages

How to use it

1. Start with the News & Events section to see what is coming up.
2. Download the Flying Events Schedule PDF if you want the full calendar rather than the homepage highlights.
3. Check the Training Opportunities section if you want ground school or crew training — online options are listed as available at any time, while in-person dates are marked TBD.
4. Use the online store for books, pins, and course registration.
5. If you want to attend in person, note that meetings are listed at the Balloon Museum, and check the specific event listing for time and location.

One practical caveat: several dates on the page refer to 2026, and some training entries are marked TBD, so confirm details against the current calendar before making plans.