New Mexico State Aircraft

Hot Air Balloon

Adopted on June 17, 2005

The Hot Air Balloon was adopted on June 17, 2005 as New Mexico's State Aircraft.

Year-round festivals and ballooning events let you test your skills against other entrants or just take in the eye-catching action from the ground. You can also sample the experience on your own, with lessons and customized adventures at any time-ballooning companies in Albuquerque, Gallup, Farmington, Taos, Angel Fire, and Alamogordo can arrange it all.

New Mexico State Aircraft: Hot Air Balloon

International Balloon Fiesta

The world's largest balloon event is the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, held each October. Balloons of all shapes and sizes, some elaborately whimsical, can be spotted over head during the eight-day event. Best of all is the breathtaking Mass Ascension, when all of the participants take to the air at once for a spectacle you'll never forget.

Although the festival we know today started in 1972, Albuquerque's first ballooning demonstration actually took place in 1882, more than two decades before the Wright brothers put air travel on the map. Today's celebration has grown from that single, marginally successful flight to a mass gathering of international participants and features a variety of contests, exhibition flights, and other activities. You'll find mere spectators as well as big-name pilots all rubbing elbows at the now-famous Balloon Fiesta Park. There are plenty of family-oriented activities and opportunities to learn all about the art and sport of ballooning.

For more information, call the Kodak International Balloon Fiesta (888) 422-7277 or visit www.aibf.org.

New Mexico Law

The law designating the hot air balloon as the official New Mexico state aircraft is found in the 2013 New Mexico Statutes, Article 3, Section 12-4-4 R.

Chapter 12 - Miscellaneous Public Affairs Matters
Article 3 - State Seal, Song and Symbols
Section 12-3-4 - State flower; state bird; state tree; state fish; state animal; state vegetables; state gem; state grass; state fossil; state cookie; state insect; state question; state answer; state nickname; state butterfly; state reptile; state amphibian; state amphibian; state aircraft; state historic railroad; state tie; state necklace.

Universal Citation: NM Stat § 12-3-4 (2013)

12-3-4. State flower; state bird; state tree; state fish; state animal; state vegetables; state gem; state grass; state fossil; state cookie; state insect; state question; state answer; state nickname; state butterfly; state reptile; state amphibian; state aircraft; state historic railroad; state tie; state necklace. (2011)
A. The yucca flower is adopted as the official flower of New Mexico.
B. The chaparral bird, commonly called roadrunner, is adopted as the official bird of New Mexico.
C. The nut pine or pinon tree, scientifically known as Pinus edulis, is adopted as the official tree of New Mexico.
D. The native New Mexico cutthroat trout is adopted as the official fish of New Mexico.
E. The native New Mexico black bear is adopted as the official animal of New Mexico.
F. The chile, the Spanish adaptation of the chilli, and the pinto bean, commonly known as the frijol, are adopted as the official vegetables of New Mexico.
G. The turquoise is adopted as the official gem of New Mexico.
H. The blue grama grass, scientifically known as Bouteloua gracillis, is adopted as the official grass of New Mexico.
I. The coelophysis is adopted as the official fossil of New Mexico.
J. The bizcochito is adopted as the official cookie of New Mexico.
K. The tarantula hawk wasp, scientifically known as Pepsis formosa, is adopted as the official insect of New Mexico.
L. "Red or green?" is adopted as the official question of New Mexico.
M. "Red and green or Christmas" is adopted as the official answer of New Mexico.
N. "The Land of Enchantment" is adopted as the official nickname of New Mexico.
O. The Sandia hairstreak is adopted as the official butterfly of New Mexico.
P. The New Mexico whiptail lizard, scientifically known as Cnemidophorus neomexicanus, is adopted as the official reptile of New Mexico.
Q. The New Mexico spadefoot toad, scientifically known as Spea multiplicata, is adopted as the official amphibian of New Mexico.
R. The hot air balloon is adopted as the official aircraft of New Mexico.
S. The Cumbres and Toltec scenic railroad is adopted as the official historic railroad of New Mexico.
T. The bolo tie is adopted as the official tie of New Mexico.
U. The Native American squash blossom necklace is adopted as the official necklace of New Mexico.
History: Laws 1927, ch. 102, § 1; C.S. 1929, § 129-101; 1941 Comp., § 3-1303; Laws 1949, ch. 142, § 1; 1953 Comp., § 4-14-3; Laws 1955, ch. 245, § 1; 1963, ch. 2, § 1; 1965, ch. 20, § 1; 1967, ch. 51, § 1; 1967, ch. 118, § 1; 1973, ch. 95, § 1; 1981, ch. 123, § 1; 1989, ch. 8, § 1; 1989, ch. 154, § 1; 1999, ch. 266, § 1; 1999, ch. 271, § 1; 2003, ch. 182, § 1; 2005, ch. 4, § 1; 2005, ch. 254, § 1; 2007, ch. 10, § 1; 2007, ch. 179, § 1; 2011, ch. 52, § 1.