Don Cline is one of the pioneers of modern hot air ballooning. Don became involved
early in the sport in 1970. He has made many contributions to ballooning, especially
in North Carolina.
Jo Cline became a balloon pilot in 1971. She was Don’s partner in all his ballooning
adventures and managed the Greensboro BalloonPort for 41 years until her death in 2015.
Don attended high school in Statesville, NC, was an Eagle Scout with 46 merit badges, and
in 1952, at the age of 15, became a member of the Civil Air Patrol which fostered his
interest in electronics, radio and aviation. Don holds a electrical engineering technology
degree from NC State University and a BS in both math and physics from Guilford College.
His post-graduate work includes courses in astronomy, physics, optics, mathematics,
engineering, computer science, economics, earth science and business administration.
Image: Don's Balloon, Daybreak III.
Don moved to Greensboro, NC in 1959 and worked for Bell Telephone Laboratories as a member
of the technical staff for 18 years. Don left Bell Labs in 1977 and founded Micro Computer
Systems which he sold to the Harris Corp in 1995.
In January 1998 Don founded the Pisgah
Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) where he remains as it’s president. Located nine
miles north of Rosman, NC, the 200-acre complex consists of 35 buildings and various optical
and electronic telescopes including 2 massive 85’ diameter telescopes. You are invited to
visit www.pari.edu to explore this major astronomical facility and all they do. Year
round students and educators worldwide attend classes and camps in science at PARI.
Tracy Barnes was in the early stages of designing the FireFly balloon, and he needed
someone to design and build an electronic temperature meter. Don Cline was introduced
to Tracy in 1970 and he designed and built over 1,000 temperature meters that were
used in nearly every balloon Tracy built between 1972 and 1979.
Tracy trained Don and Jo (10 flights each) for their balloon certificate in 1971
and 1972. Don has owned nineteen balloons over the years (1972-2020), his first
balloon was built by Tracy and was used as the test balloon and delivered to Don
as The Balloon Work’s first FAA certified balloon on April 18, 1974. This balloon
N48JD, was named "DayBreak". Jo's first balloon was N19JD and named "DaySpring".
Don designed and manufactured other balloon equipment for Tracy including battery powered
inflator fans, digital fuel meters, a powerline detection system, two-wheel balloon
transporter, balloon auto pilot and wind speed/direction meter. This engineering support
continued to help Tracy in 1980-1985 when Tracy designed and built four 68’ long,
single-engine helium airships he named Wind Dancer and Whispership.
It was during this time period that Tracy founded The Balloon Works and brought in a
team of experienced balloonists and engineers to help him with the design, engineering
and testing of the balloon he planned to have the FAA certify. First, Tracy moved from
the warehouse in south Charlotte to an abandon women’s prison in north Charlotte.
Already working with Don, Tracy then hired Dodds Meddock from Valparaiso, IN, Karl
Stefan from Palestine, TX, and Terry Wright from St. Paul, MN. Thirteen experimental
balloons were built at the women’s prison between 1972-1974.
Tracy had been developing a new design for a more reliable venting/deflation system in
the top of a balloon. At the time most balloon valves were not reliable and once opened
might not reseal. Tracy developed a brand new design: a parachute sealing the hole in
the top of a balloon which could be pulled down into the balloon to either vent or
deflate the balloon, and when released, would automatically close.
Tracy installed the
first parachute valve (12’ dia.) in balloon N64122 and asked Don to make a test flight.
On April 22, 1973 Don flew the balloon to 11,000’ but reported the valve was too small
for a quick deflation on landing. Tracy replaced the 12’ valve with a 20’ valve, and
Don made a second test flight on April 29, 1973 with his wife, Jo. Don reported that
Jo had no problem using the larger valve.
The parachute valve is now the industry
standard used by almost all balloon manufacturers.
Tracy wanted to move from Charlotte to a place where he would have more room to
fly balloons. In 1973 Bill Meadows introduced Tracy to Raeford Rhyne. Raeford offered
to rent Tracy two chicken houses and surrounding property for just $50 a month. Rhyne
Aerodrome (NC15) is located 10 miles north of Statesville near Love Valley, NC. Tracy
moved with Dodds, Karl, and Terry and started manufacturing his FireFly balloon there
in 1974. Don continued to design and manufacture temperature meters and other equipment
for Tracy.
In 1974 Don and Jo built their first BalloonPort. In 1984 a new BalloonPort was built
at 136 W. Steeple Chase Road south of Greensboro. For 47 years the BalloonPort has
offered balloon sales, training, balloon annuals, repairs, and rides. Don was a FAA
Designated Flight Examinator for 28 years. For 20 years the BalloonPort hosted a
Christmas Party for the Carolina Balloon Association (CBA).
Along with Bill Meadows, Don Cline founded The Carolina Balloon Museum.
Working on the project for more than five years, 2.27 acres were purchased in 2016
with an additional 1.35 acres in 2018.
The site is located in Statesville, NC, a city rich in ballooning history, near I-40 East
at Exit 154. The design drawings are complete and approved.
Now in the fund raising phase the 20 million dollar museum is solidly in the process
of becoming a home for ballooning history and source of inspiration for new adventurers
to take to the skies.
A ham radio operator K4GBD since 1952 and holds general radio license allowing him to
act as a station engineer for both radio and TV stations.
Civil Air Patrol Member (1952-1986) retired with the rank of Major.
He has served as a board member for RWG Licensing, Mars Hill College, Kenan Fellows
Advisory Board, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Appalachian State University College of
Arts and Sciences, ASU Engineering Physics, UNC Greensboro University of Arts and
Sciences, UNC Asheville University Board, Guilford Technical Community College,
UNC Charlotte Industrial Board, Education & Research Consotrium (ERC) Broadband,
Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, and NASA NC Space Grant Consortium.
Don is a life member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE),
New York Academy of Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science,
International Society for Optical Engineering, Astronomical Society of the Pacific,
American Astronomical Society, American Association of Variable Star Observers,
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA),
and a life member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).
1970 Traveled with Tracy to FAA Atlanta to start certification process
1971-1972 Don and Jo trained for their balloon certificates
1971 to Present BFA Life Member and BFA Safety Seminar Speaker
1973 Test solo flight of the first parachute valve to 11,000 feet
1973-1991 Flew in the US Nationals in Indianola, Iowa for 18 years
1974-2019 Only pilot who has flown in Carolina BalloonFest for 46 yrs
1974-2020 Commercial balloon pilot with over 4,000 flight hours
1974-1986 Served on the BFA Events Committee
1975-1995 Contributed to the Carolina Balloon Association newsletter
1977 US pilot member of World Championships in York, England
1978 Organized and directed the flight of eight balloons to over 24,000'
1978-2007 FAA designated examiner giving over 500 check flights
1978 to Present FAA Certified Balloon Repairman for the BalloonPort
1980-2007 FAA accident prevention counselor
1981&1985 Safety officer for World Championship in Battle Creek, MI
1982&1985 Two gas balloon flights over the Alps from Murren, CH
1986-1989 BFA board member, secretary and treasurer
1988-1989 BFA/NAA balloon record attempts coordinator
1991 March 25 Certificate of Honor awarded for Gas and Hot Air Balloons by the National Aeronautic
Association (NAA) at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
2013 Ed Yost 40-year Master Pilot Award (also presented to Bill Meadows)
2014-2020 Co-founder of Carolina Balloon Museum, Statesville, NC
Learn about the development of the Carolina Balloon Museum and the location
of its future home.
The history of Ballooning and the people have driven it.
These are stories that inspire!
Why is the museum seven stories tall? To hold a hot air balloon of course!
Learn what you'll see on your path to view an inflated balloon from every angle.
The original art of balloonist Jim Thompson of Talent, Oregon is featured here.
See which piece captures your imagination, and check back for more ballooning gifts.
Learn how you can become involved and contribute your time and talents to the museum.
You are invited to support the Carolina Balloon Museum, a 501c3. Find out how.
Let the Carolina Balloon Museum become the home for your story!
Don Cline
Future Home: