facebook tracker International Council of Air Shows International Council of Air Shows

Still Space In Air Boss Academy; Beat The Rush On Air Boss Training

August 28th, 2012
Space is filling up quickly, but there’s still room in the ICAS Air Boss Academy on September 6, 7 and 8 being held in conjunction with the Airpower Arkansas-Heritage and Heroes Air Show at Little Rock AFB in Arkansas. Moderated by ICAS member and veteran air boss Wayne Boggs, this year’s program will also feature George Cline of Air Boss, Inc. who will serve as air boss for the Little Rock air show. On Friday morning, participants will attend the pre-show performer safety briefing. After some classroom discussions and instruction, the entire 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. As one of the most experienced air bosses in our business, Boggs will explain what the Little Rock AFB air boss does and why he does it that way. At the end of the first day, the group will return to the classroom to de-brief and discuss the day’s activities. On Saturday, the group will sit in on the performer safety de-brief and once again listen in as the air boss orchestrates one of North America’s finest air shows. The official program concludes on Saturday night. As the military and regulatory agencies move toward some kind of mandated air boss training, it appears very likely that all air bosses will soon be required to complete this kind of on-the-job training. Air show safety, generally, and the role of air show air bosses specifically, have come under greater scrutiny during the last 18 months. Air boss issues were a topic of extensive discussion at a National Transportation Safety Board hearing held last January in Washington, DC. There is a growing awareness within the industry that the person charged with air boss responsibilities at your show must have specific training and experience. Combined with classroom sessions at the ICAS Convention, the ICAS Air Boss Academy is intended to provide a foundation on which an individual can build their air boss education. To ensure all of our participants receive individual attention, class size for the 2012 ICAS Air Boss Academy will be strictly limited to 15. The fee to participate in this unique educational program is $300 per individual. And because ICAS expects an overwhelming response to this program and because we will cut off registration once the 15 person limit is reached, there will be no refunds on registration. Click here for a registration form or contact the ICAS headquarters office at 703-779-8510 or by e-mail at connors@airshows.aero.