How AirVenture Conducts One Of The World's Largest Air Shows
By Bruce Brandon
One of the thrills of attending AirVenture is the air show, one of the best in the nation. What many of us aviators don’t really think about is how EAA puts on such a fantastic show safely and legally. Having tens of thousands of people safely viewing airplanes doing aerobatics that have the energy of a train locomotive is not happenstance. It is the result of long term planning and a disciplined implementation of that planning.
The FAA has authority over aviation safety including air shows. It has delegated some of its operational control and pilot certification to the International Council of Air Shows, Inc. (ICAS). First and foremost, the show cannot go on without waivers from the FAA. As we know, aviation is one of the most regulated of all disciplines, e.g., cannot perform aerobatic maneuvers below 1500 ft. AGL, waiver required. If the pilot wants to set his altimeter to QFE (so that it reads zero at field elevation) a waiver is required. Speed restrictions in Class D airspace, waiver required. It goes on and on.
To ensure safety, the FAA has a two part procedure. First, all air show pilots must be extremely competent. They must pass ground and flight tests administered by designated Aerobatic Competency Evaluators who evaluate air show pilots under the Aerobatic Competency Evolution Program (“ACE”). Successful airmen are awarded a “Statement of Aerobatic Competency (SAC). These evaluators work under the auspices of the FAA (always the final authority) and ICAS. The program is extremely demanding, requiring an air show pilot to “climb the ladder” or, more accurately, “descend down the ladder” from a minimum performance altitude of 800 ft. (Level 4) to the unrestricted Level 1 with no restriction on performance altitude. The progression is made as their competency and experience increases. Pilots are required to demonstrate proficiency annually in each of the four categories-- Sport Aerobatics, Warbird Aerobatics, Glider/sailplane, and helicopters--they perform and when
qualifying for a lower level or to fly a different aircraft.
If you think your private pilot practical test standards were tough, ACE requirements for a Statement of Aerobatic Competency (SAC) card requires demonstrated proficiency in the following:
- Inverted flight
- Two Inverted 180-degree turns
- Three turn upright spin
- Three consecutive slow rolls
- Four-Point Roll
- Inside loop
- Hammerhead turn
- Reverse half Cuban eight
- Half Cuban eight
- Snap Roll
- Inverted spin. Minimum of one turn
- Vertical Roll. Up & Down (hammerhead or humpty)
- Inside Snap Rolls on a Descending Line
- Torque Roll
- Hammerhead
- Gyroscopic Maneuvers
- Crosswind Correction
- Full aerobatic sequence
Because air show aircraft vary greatly, e.g. from a warbirds to the Extra 330LX to RV-8s to jets, the criteria varies with the individual aircraft type capability.
Not surprisingly, the USAF Thunderbirds, Navy Blue Angels and other military air show demonstration pilots have different certification and waiver authority.
Aviation is, after all, merely energy management. Because an air show performance is producing such enormous kinetic energy in close proximity to crowds, it must be micromanaged. Should an unfortunate event occur, safety requires that the energy be contained or dissipated, in such a manner that spectators are not harmed. The energy must be kept away from spectators. To ensure this, the Part 91 regulations that are waived are replaced with safety criteria contained in FAA Order 8900.1 designed to prevent the air show “energy” from ever reaching the spectators. The air show establishes a “show line”.
The show line is a line on the surface of the ground or water, marked to be clearly visible to pilots from the air, intended to enhance pilot orientation during the performance. The show line provides the performer with a clear visual reference to the minimum safety distance applicable to the category of the maneuvering aircraft being flown…
The closest distance the public can be to the show line is determined by the category of the aircraft which is determined by criteria contained in FAA Order 8900.1. The speed or weight of the aircraft will determine the category. The faster the speed the greater distance from the show line the public must be.
The category distances are:
- Category 1 aircraft are the fast movers, like the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels or other jets. Spectators must be 1,500 feet from the show line (>245 kts).
- Category 2 aircraft, such as most Warbirds and helicopters. Spectators must be 1000 ft. from the show line (>156 kts < 245 kts)
- Category 3 aircraft are the small aerobatic aircraft such as Pitts Special or any aircraft ≤ 2,250 max gross weight normally aspirated or fuel injected reciprocating engine. Spectators must be 500 ft. from the show line (≤ 156 kts,).
- The method to determine the speed for an aircraft category is contained in FAA Order 8900.1.
The “aerobatic box” for AirVenture’s primary air show is shown above. It includes the required distance from the show line. When the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, flying high performance jets perform, the “aerobatic box” and hence distance from the show line is increased (below).
The goal is, as much as is practicable, to keep the aerobatic energy vector of the show planes away from the crowd. This is to prevent spectator injury in the event of mechanical failure or pilot incapacitation.
The FAA has ultimate authority over and ensures that the air show is in compliance with all safety criteria. It delegates much of this responsibility to the air show “Event Organizer”:
Event Organizer. The person or agency responsible for the organization and conduct of the aviation event.
The on scene “commander” for the actual air show is the “Air Boss”.
Air Boss. The individual who has the primary responsibility for air show operations on the active taxiways, runways, and the surrounding air show demonstration area.
There are numerous other responsibilities the Event Organizer must fulfill including show pilot briefings, crowd control, etc.
Who are those guys and gals? A quick search on the AirVenture web page reveals a plethora of some of the best air show pilots in the world including Patty Wagstaff, Matt Chapman, Gene Soucy, and many other outstanding performers. AirVenture 2016 will have one of the largest gatherings of some of the biggest air show stars in world.
The Air Show Safety Program was started in 1951. While there have been air show performer fatalities, there have been NO spectator fatalities at North American air shows since 1952. (The Reno accident in 2011 was during an air race, not an air show). This is the result of concerted efforts by the FAA, ICAS, event organizers, and the air show pilots themselves. The air show safety program is being constantly refined to ensure we all can all safely enjoy the wonders of these magnificent men/women and their flying machines.
To gain an understanding of how aerobatic maneuvers are performed and to have a better understanding of how good these guys and gals are, go to The Aerobatic Textbook on YouTube (their video on the Immelmann is here). You will find multiple short videos that explain and demonstrate many of the maneuvers you will see during AirVenture’s spectacular air shows. It will make viewing these aerial artist even more enjoyable.
(Images from file)
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