Air bosses are a critical element to ensuring a safe and entertaining air show. And as the industry and regulators continue to standardize the profession, it is essential that air bosses complete the training requirements and participate in required additional training and briefings to remain up to date on the latest changes and developments for air show regulations and air boss policies and procedures.

 

 

2025 ICAS Air Boss Academy

Aviation Nation Air Show

April 3 - 5, 2025

 

 

The ICAS Air Boss Academy is the preeminent, hands-on learning experience for industry air boss professionals. This “living classroom” will teach you best practices, strategies and professional knowledge to help ensure you have the tools to direct a safe and entertaining show.

Throughout the three days, Air Boss Academy participants will benefit from both lessons learned in the classroom as well as best practices performed during an actual air show.

 

 

 

Schedule & Program Overview

 

Thursday

Attendees will arrive at the host hotel on Thursday, April 3, for a Meet and Greet where attendees will have an opportunity to check in with the Academy staff and meet and get to know each other.

 

 

 

 

Friday

On Friday participants will attend the pre-show performer safety briefing. Following classroom discussions and instruction, the class will move out to the flightline where they will monitor the air show radio frequency and use the interchange between the performers and the air boss as an opportunity to discuss methods, problems, pitfalls and opportunities. The group will then debrief.

 

 

 

Saturday

On Saturday the group will again sit in on the performer safety debrief and listen in as the air boss orchestrates air operations for the Saturday air show. The official program will conclude on Saturday evening.  

 

Classroom Portion

 

The classroom portion of the program will address a wide range of issues specific to the responsibilities of the air boss, including:

• • FAA regulations and waivers
• • the aerobatic box
• • the pre-show safety briefing
• • weather considerations
• • radio communications
• • temporary flight restrictions
• • air traffic control techniques
• • interacting with military assets
• • interfacing with regulators, airport personnel and performers
• • emergency planning and response

Completion of the ICAS Air Boss Academy can be used to qualify for the training requirements of the Air Boss Recognition Program.

 

Limited Enrollment

 

To ensure all of our participants receive individual attention, class size for the ICAS Air Boss Academy is limited to 15 registrants. Due to the program’s high demand and because ICAS will cut off registration once the 15-person limit is reached, there will be no refunds for registration. Academy registrations are on a first-come/first-served basis.

 

Air Show Academy Host Hotel Information

 

The Nellis Inn on Nellis Air Force Base is the host hotel for the 2025 ICAS Air Boss Academy registrants.  The rate for a room is $119.00 per night.  Reservations must be made by 1 March 2025, by rooming list provided by ICAS. Reservations must be cancelled 48 hours prior to arrival without penalty. 

 

 

 

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE.

Please check back tomorrow or contact Dan Hollowell at hollowell@airshows.aero