-----How It Works!

An airplane takes off with a "grapnel hook" hanging in the window.
The hook is connected to the tail of the airplane by either rope or cable.
Once the airplane is airborne the pilot releases the "hook" from the
window so that it swings freely from the tail.

Meanwhile in the banner field, a large aerial billboard is stretched
out over the grass. At the rear of the billboard are "Tail socks"
(mini parachutes) or "Tail Screen" which provides drag
(friction in the air) to keep the flying billboard stretched out in
a readable position. At the front of the billboard is a "lead pole"
(stiff vertical pole slightly taller than the billboard) with a
weighted bottom. The "lead pole" provides support for the billboard
during flight and a weight added to the bottom assures the billboard
will fly write side up. Attached to the lead pole is a "harness" or
"bridle" which is used to attach the billboard to the "pick up rope".

At the front of the harnss a long rope ("pick up rope") is connected
and stretched to a set of poles protruding about six feet from the
ground. At the end of this long rope is a smaller rope that forms a
loop. The loop is suspended in the air, across the two poles.

The ground crew gives the signal.....

Banner Chief: "Bird Dog 1832, your clear for pick up"

Pilot: "Roger Coming in"

Here comes the plane.....

The plane approaches the poles, close to the ground at 80 miles per
hour. Just before the plane reaches the poles, the pilot advances to
full throttle and pulls the airplane into a steep but safe climb.
As the engine roars the plane leaps into the sky and the "grappling hook"
swings through the poles snagging the "loop". The plane climbs higher
and then the pilot feels a tug and knows the billboard is becoming
airborne. The ground crew confirms "Here it comes!" The pilot
continues to climb to a safe altitude and heads toward the target area.

Some time later:

Pilot: "Ground, this is Bird Dog 1832, you copy?"

Banner Chief: "Go ahead Bird Dog 1832"

Pilot: "I'm Five miles out, inbound for a banner drop"

Banner Chief: "Roger Bird Dog, all clear for the drop"

The plane and billboard approach the banner field. As the airplane fly's
overhead the pilot waits for the signal.

Banner Chief: "Drop"

The pilot pulls a lever in the cockpit, releasing the grappling hook
and flying billboard from the airplane. The banner settles gently to
the ground and the ground crew prepares the next billboard.


Click Here to "See a Pick-Up"




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