The Basic Air Show definition in the ABRP Manual is not vague. It specifies the parameters precisely, and every one of them is a hard limit on BAB authority.

Let’s go through them. Five aerial acts per show day — that’s per day, not per weekend?

Per show day. And daytime operations only — the show must conclude before civil twilight. One aerial act airborne at a time, though the manual does allow one additional act to hold outside the Aerobatic Box if that procedure has been briefed.

What about parachute operations? I know circle-the-jumper is off the table at BAB level, but standard static-line or freefall demos are permitted?

Permitted, yes — no circle-the-jumper. Military fly-bys and single-aircraft military demos are also permitted; what’s excluded are the sanctioned demo teams — the Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, Snowbirds. Ground and water vehicle versus aircraft races are excluded. No Non-Participating Aircraft movements within the Air Show Demonstration Area during performance. No ground-based pyrotechnic displays.

And airborne pyrotechnics?

Permitted only if the performing pilot holds an ACE endorsement — that’s an Aerobatic Competency Evaluator endorsement through the FAA program. Without it, no airborne pyro at a BAB show. Cat I aircraft are limited to non-aerobatic fly-bys only.

So the practical takeaway is: if a show is going to exceed any one of these parameters, it needs a SAB or higher as Air Boss of record.

That’s the correct read. These aren’t preferences — they’re the definitional boundary of the credential.