07/13/2026
I was saddened to learn of the passing of George Cline.
George was the first Airshow Airboss to have me wear the high visibility vest and allow me to photograph airshows from a position on the other side of the crowd fence and in front of his Airboss stand.
Before every airshow I would ask George for the limits of where I could roam in front of his platform, so that I would stay within FAA restrictions. Over time it got to the point where his response was always "You know what to do and I trust you not to do or go anywhere stupid". Only one time after that point did he change his response. It was at a airshow that had a joint forces display and tanks were involved. His response that time was "You know what to do and I trust you, but if you see those tank tracks you are standing in, that is where the tanks ended up during the rehearsal practice yesterday and you may not want to stand there... but the choice is yours".
George was one of the air-bosses that allowed me to attend the pilots pre-show flight briefing and then after the Sunday morning briefing would help me gather all the performers, air show officials, and others for a group photograph that I called the "Performers Group Photo" and which served as a snapshot in time of the people involved in that particular airshow. Many of those photos got published in the aviation publications that I photographed for.
George always treated me better than I deserved and was extremely professional. I will miss him and so will the airshow industry. Rest In Peace George.
