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| Pulling Aerial Ads with Helicopters |
By:
Donnell Johnson |
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Banner ads or billboard ads are huge signs that are pulled behind an airplane over a large crowd of people so that the message is read by many in a short time. People use these signs to advertise a product or service, to announce a special event, to tell where to find further information (like a webpage), for political ads, and for a host of other uses.
Probably these banner or billboard ads you saw were pulled behind a small single engine prop plane. Such a plane has sufficient power to pull the extra weight as well as the drag of the banner. But some companies offer banner ads that are pulled behind helicopters. This idea has pros and cons over the standard airplane.
First, helicopters are much more versatile but also much more difficult to fly than airplanes. Therefore, the pilots must be specially trained and for a longer time. This means the cost is no doubt greater when hiring helicopters instead of airplanes. The maneuverability also requires much more power to run a helicopter. This means higher fuel costs and, again, more expense.
Normally when banner ads are pulled behind an airplane, the audience has an average of 17 seconds to read the message. Helicopters can fly more slowly and even hover to provide a longer viewing time. However, when pulling a banner, the speed must be great enough to keep the banner flowing and readable. If the billboard is hung below the plane instead of dragged behind, maximum viewing time is provided.
Conventional banner and billboard ad pulling involves attaching a rigid pole or support to the front of the banner so that it stays perpendicular to the ground. With weights attached to the bottom of the banner, it remains readable throughout the flying time.
The other method developed by skydivers is called Sling Load banner pulling. Here the helicopter basically pulls the upper corner of the banner and a weight is attached to the bottom of the leading edge so that it stays vertical. In spite of this weight, however, the ad often distorts as the wind hits it for the lower edge can't keep up with the top. The weight could be as much as 500 pounds so a safety factor is also involved. Standard banners only require 10-15 pounds of weight to keep them vertical.
The advantage of the helicopter in pulling the banners is in the power of the plane. Because helicopters pull upward, and because their engines are much larger, they are able to pull much larger banners. Instead of the standard 3000 square feet sign, some have pulled banners as large as 50,000 square feet! Single engine planes would not be able to do this.
Both a helicopter and an airplane make enough noise to draw the attention of the spectators. And both methods provide the unique ability of having a message presented to a large audience in a very short period of time without any competition for attention. Because of this, 99% of the audience will read the ad and get the message fixed in their minds.
When you are confident your message appeals effectively, it is time to contact an aerial advertising company and begin the process of getting it into the air. In no time, your well planned message will be presented to thousands of people and the impact for you will begin to be seen. |
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