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| How Does An Aerial Billboard Work? |
By:
Donnell Johnson |
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My first visit to Canada some years ago brought to my attention a stark difference in highway travel from the US. Besides everything being measured in metric, I was struck by the absence of billboards. At first it was a pleasant change. But I found after a while that I missed the information they present as I travel.
Of course, most billboards are huge signs pasted to a support on some rented piece of property like a farmer's field. The more traveled the highway, the better. The billboard awaits people traveling the road to get its message across. Now imagine this billboard flying off the stand and into the air over a huge crowd of people. That is the essence of aerial billboard advertising.
Aerial billboards are similar to roadside billboards but different in a number of ways as well. For example, the roadside billboard is fixed, being seen by moving people. Aerial billboards on the other hand, are moving while the people are stationary. Also, the roadside billboard is only noticed by those looking its way as they drive. The aerial billboard is read by virtually everyone who sees it because of the uniqueness of the display. The roadside billboard will be viewed by 100,000 people after a long time; the aerial billboard could be read by that many in a matter of minutes.
The aerial billboards are made of nylon. Some are painted and some are dyed with a sun inhibitor for protection. The billboard is not a banner but a banner is sometimes attached to the end of the billboard to give an additional message. Some billboards are as large as 50 feet tall and 100 feet long! The message on it may be a logo, the name of a product, photos, or just about anything a roadside billboard contains.
The billboard stays upright because it is weighted on the bottom. The lead pole attached to the front keeps it spread out. A bridle attached to the lead pole is attached to a 250 feet long rope that is pulled by the plane. In order to get the billboard airborne, the pilot must take off, then circle around and hook a loop of rope fastened to tow rope. He immediately pulls back the stick so that the billboard is lifted up off the ground and not damaged.
Though the billboard is made of lightweight material, it is still quite a drag on a small plane. In fact, strong winds could cancel a flight or at least prohibit them from adding the extra banner message at the end. When the pilot has finished, he gently drops the billboard at the airfield where it can be stored and perhaps used again.
What is the difference between aerial banners and aerial billboards? The only real difference is the size and shape of the message trailing behind the plane. Clients might include restaurants, products, special events, congratulatory messages, wedding proposals, directions, information like a web page to get further details, special sales events, businesses, movie ads, and so on. Billboards display just about any brief message someone wants to get to the public in a hurry.
The good news is that the cost of a billboard or banner ad is a lot less than some TV or printed ads. Generally, companies charge from $2500 up to design and prepare the billboard itself. The charge to pull the billboard is usually $400 to $500 an hour. If it is done right, companies using this method of aerial advertising can be confident that the billboard will bring in revenue equal to several times this cost. It is an investment.
But not all aerial advertising companies are the same. Some simply take your order and contract it out to another provider. You would do well to stick with a airplane banner towing companythat has planes throughout the country so they are personally interested in the outcome of the service. Learn how AirSign has been leading the industry by providing this level of service since 1996. |
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