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Course Content
Course Overview
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Welcome to Air Boss 101
05:38
Module 1: What is an Airshow
Module 1 — What Is an Air Show. Before we get into authority, documents, or duties, we need a shared understanding of the environment we’re operating in. This is where a lot of candidates underestimate the complexity. An air show isn’t just a flying event — it’s a layered operational environment with multiple authorities operating simultaneously. Exactly. We’ll define the air show, establish who the stakeholders are, walk through the ABRP credential levels, and cover the foundational standards that govern Air Boss conduct. Including the Safety Creed — which is the professional foundation everything else builds on.
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The Air Show Environment
01:30
ABRP Credential Levels Overview
01:44
Basic Air Show Definition and Limitations
01:42
The ICAS Safety Creed
01:27
Air Boss Standards and Code of Ethics
01:44
Module 2: FAA Regulatory Framework
Module 2 — the FAA Regulatory Framework. This is the legal and procedural infrastructure that makes an air show a lawful event rather than a mass gathering with unauthorized low-altitude flying. I’ll be honest — when I was coming up, this was the module where candidates’ eyes glazed over. Documents, forms, acronyms. But the Air Boss who doesn’t understand this framework is the Air Boss who gets blindsided on show day. Exactly right. Authority, documents, and airspace — know where they come from, who holds them, and what they actually require of you. Let’s get into it.
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Governing Regulations and Orders
01:40
National Airspace System Overview
01:56
Certificate of Waiver and Certificate of Authorization
01:45
FAA Form 7711-2
01:48
Temporary Flight Restrictions
01:41
TFR Application
01:41
Air Show Demonstration Area and Flying Display Area
01:42
Crowd Line and Separation Distances
01:46
Non-Participating Aircraft and Airspace Conflicts
01:46
Special-Use Airspace Awareness
01:47
FAA Coordination and the FSDO Relationship
01:41
ATC Facility Types
01:51
Air Boss 101

FAA Form 7711-2 is the Application for Certificate of Waiver or Authorization. The current version is version 10, dated June 2023. The Responsible Person submits it to the FSDO with a minimum 45-day lead time before the event.

The Air Boss doesn’t sign it, but I’ve seen candidates treat that as a reason not to understand it. That’s a mistake.

It is. The issued COW derives from this form. If the form has errors, the COW has errors. You’re the one operating under that document on show day — you have every reason to understand its contents.

What sections does the Air Boss specifically need to understand?

Event identification — dates, times, airport identifier, organizer contact. Airspace description — this is where the ASDA boundaries, aerobatic box coordinates, and crowd line location are defined. Any special conditions: non-standard approvals the organizer requested. The Emergency Plan certification is a required attachment —an absent or unsigned ERP delays the COW issuance. And supplementary information: site diagram, performance schedule, performer qualifications.

And once the document is issued, the Air Boss reviews it against the form and against the actual site?

Review the issued COW or COA before show day in full. Verify that coordinates, dates, and altitudes in the issued document match your on-site survey. If you find an error in the issued COW that traces back to the application, contact the FSDO immediately. Do not operate on an erroneous document. That is not a recoverable situation if something goes wrong under a COW with bad coordinates.

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