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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

A non-participating aircraft is any aircraft not part of the air show — operating under standard IFR or VFR rules, not under your CoW. At a Basic Air Show, non-participating aircraft may not move within the ASDA during performance. That’s a definitional limit of the Basic Air Show classification, not something the Air Boss gets to waive.

So coordinating with ATC to keep the ASDA clear is a pre-show task, not just a show-day hope.

It starts before show day and continues throughout performance. You identify the controlling ATC facility, establish contact, confirm they understand the TFR and ASDA boundaries, and agree on procedures if something unexpected enters the airspace.

What’s the immediate response if an unauthorized aircraft appears in the ASDA?

Transmit KIO on the Air Boss frequency immediately. That stops all participating aircraft. Hold every act on the ground or at a safe holding position. Contact ATC for identification of the intruder. Do not resume performance until the airspace situation is resolved and the FDA is positively clear.

And after the fact?

Document everything. What you observed, the time, the action you took, and the outcome. Notify the IIC. FAA Order 8900.1 specifies reporting obligations for incidents and deviations, and an airspace incursion qualifies. The IIC should not learn about it from someone other than you.

KIO is the single emergency-stop call — one word on frequency that every participating aircraft knows means stop now.

One word, immediate response, no ambiguity. That’s why it’s the standard.

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