Authorizing each act — what’s the actual standard? I’ve heard Air Bossestreat it casually, just waving an aircraft in.

Every act requires positive release from the Air Boss before FDA entry.Positive means you’ve confirmed the FDA is clear, established radiocontact with the performer, and issued a release call. Standardphraseology: call sign, Air Boss, clear to perform. Not a wave from acrossthe ramp.

The one-act-at-a-time rule for a Basic Air Boss certificate — how strict isthat actually enforced?

Strictly. One aerial act airborne in the FDA at any time. One additionalaircraft may hold outside the aerobatic box, but only if that was briefed.And before the next act enters, you positively confirm the preceding acthas cleared the FDA — not assumed clear, confirmed. You track everyParticipating Aircraft’s status continuously: airborne, holding, or on theground.

Schedule management is where I’ve seen Air Bosses make bad decisions.The show falls behind and they start compressing slots.

Individual slot durations don’t shrink to recover schedule. If you’re fiveminutes behind, the program catches up later — through a planned buffer,by trimming a break, by coordinating with the event director. You don’tshorten a performer’s act because the previous act ran long.

What about managing airborne holds when there’s a delay?

Communicate the delay immediately to all airborne and ground personnel.Direct airborne aircraft to hold positions with specific awareness of fuelstate — you need to know how long each aircraft can hold before fuelbecomes a factor. Monitor four things simultaneously throughout theshow: timing against sunset, TFR expiration, weather, and fuel constraints.Those four never stop running.