INFORMATION FOR BANNER
TOW OPERATIONS
March 27, 2003
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
Flight Standards Service
General Aviation and Commercial Division
FAA/FS-I-8700-1
PREFACE
This publication is presented as an information guide for banner tow operations, to promote safe
operations through careful preparation and planning. For preparation and planning, administrative
concerns are also addressed.
FAA investigations of aerial advertising/banner towing accidents have revealed that the majority of
the accidents are associated with one or more of the following circumstances: the banner pickup
maneuver, entangled or snarled banner towlines, or loss of engine power. An analysis of banner
tow accidents has revealed the following information:
Of the accidents resulting in ditching in rivers, lakes, or the ocean, the aircraft may have been
capable of landing on shore. Sometimes the decision is made to ditch in order to protect the public
on congested beaches or riverbanks.
Of the accidents caused by engine failure resulting in an off airport landing, the accidents could
have easily occurred offshore. In one ditching accident, the pilot was saved by the timely
appearance of a person on a personal watercraft. This person prevented the incapacitated pilot from
drowning. The pilot did not have any flotation device. Pilots of banner tow aircraft operated over
water should have the capability to save themselves in the first critical minutes of a ditching
accident. FAA-approved flotation devices should be readily available.
Lifeguard stations along riverbanks or beaches are generally not equipped to respond to offshore
aviation accidents. Lifeguards are normally not trained to deal with the HAZMAT issues of
released fuel and oil and may not be familiar with the aircraft exits and seat belt assemblies. It is
recommended that an FAA-approved personal flotation device be carried in the aircraft when
banner tow flying along beaches, rivers, or lakes.
The FAA would like to thank everyone who participated in the development of this publication,
especially the support provided by Aerial Sign Company, Inc., of Hollywood, Florida.
This publication can be viewed and down-loaded off the Internet at Universal Resource Locators:
http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/infoforgeneralaviation/, http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/infoformechanics/,
http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/infoforpilotsowners/, and http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/, under the
heading, “Information and Advisories.”
/s/
Robert A. Wright
Manager, General Aviation and Commercial Division
i (and ii)
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION Page
Terminology.................................................................................................................. 1-1
CHAPTER 2. EQUIPMENT AND OPERATION SAFETY ISSUES
Grapple Hook Deployment........................................................................................... 2-1
Prevention of Grapple Line Entanglement ................................................................... 2-1
Banner Pickup............................................................................................................... 2-1
Flying with a Banner in Tow ........................................................................................ 2-2
Landing with Banner in Tow ........................................................................................ 2-2
Multiple Tow Hitches ................................................................................................... 2-2
Boom-Hook System...................................................................................................... 2-3
Figure 2-1. Examples of a Plastic Garden Hose Installation ........................................ 2-4
Figure 2-2. Examples of a Vee Bar............................................................................... 2-5
Figure 2-3. Examples of Typical Towrope Configuration, Stowed
for Deployment ............................................................................................................. 2-6
Figure 2-4. Examples of Multiple Grapple Hook Installation ...................................... 2-7
CHAPTER 3. FAA FORM 7711-2, APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF
WAIVER OR AUTHORIZATION
Front Side of Form........................................................................................................ 3-1
Back Side of Form ........................................................................................................ 3-1
Figure 3-1. FAA Form 7711-2, Application for Certificate of Waiver
or Authorization (Front)................................................................................................ 3-2
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