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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

The Certificate of Waiver is the foundational legal document for the air show. It waives specific Federal AviationRegulations for the duration and location of the event. Without it, the aerial demonstrations you’re managingare not lawful.

And the Air Boss is required to read the COW in full — not a summary from the event organizer, the actualdocument.

Non-negotiable. The COW defines the Flying Display Area, authorized maneuvers, separation distances, and any special provisions. Every condition and limitation in that document is binding on you. Before you assume duties, you must have verified the dates, times, geographic coordinates, and the list of waived FARs.

What about the Certificate of Authorization? That gets less attention in training, but it comes up.

The COA covers operations in controlled airspace — Classes B, C, and D — and for public aircraft and UAS operations. Conceptually parallel to the COW but for different operator types. Review the COA with the same rigor. If there’s a UAS operator at your show working under a COA, you need to understand what that document authorizes and what it restricts.

FAA Form 7711-2 is the application that produces the COW or COA. The Air Boss doesn’t typically submit it, but should understand it.

Understand it and review the draft before it goes to the FSDO. Errors in the application become errors in the issued document. Minimum lead time is 90 days, and 120 is the practical recommendation. A COW with incorrect coordinates or dates is a problem you discover on show day — which is the worst possible time.

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