Launch Director gives the"Ascend" sign at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.

At the Balloon Fiesta, many balloons launch at the same time, A balloon pilot cannot see above his own canopy, so an official known as a Launch Director must give him a sign that the sky above him is clear.

The Launch Director is in a Referee-style striped shirt; the balloon she is assisting is yellow with an ascending spiral stripe of orange and brown.