Air Boss authority over ground activity covers the full ASDA boundary —not just the crowd line. Before any act enters the aerobatic box, fueltrucks, photo vehicles, crew chiefs, and support personnel must be intheir designated positions. That’s a pre-entry check, every act.

Unauthorized ground movement during a performance — is that animmediate callout, or do you handle it after the act?

Immediate. You do not delegate that observation, and you do not deferthe callout. If a vehicle enters the FDA during an active performance, youcall it out now. Track ground activity the same way you track airborneaircraft — know where every vehicle and person is at all times.

Safety alerts are a related topic. What’s the right delivery?

Assertive, immediate, and specific. “Performer, pull up now” — not alengthy explanation. If an aircraft is drifting toward the crowd line, anunauthorized vehicle is entering the FDA, or an aircraft is below briefedminimums, the alert goes out immediately. After the alert, confirm theaction was taken, and document the event in the show log.

Non-radio communications — is that actually a regulatory requirement orjust a best practice?

FAA Order 8900.1 requires a non-radio backup system. It’s not optional.The visual signals have to be briefed at the main briefing and confirmedbefore any performance begins: thumbs up for cleared for the box,crossed arms overhead for hold or do not enter, both arms wavedoverhead for KIO or abort, and point to ears then headset for radio checkneeded.

Every performer confirms those signals at the briefing — not just assumedthey know them.

Confirmed, not assumed. A performer from outside your usual circuit mayhave a different signal set from their home show. You brief your signals,you confirm your signals, and you use your signals.