Jim Shaw's Advice

Marty, I use light ripstop nylon. I have a nylon string sewed top and bottom for the whole length. I personally tow off the ground but I have also dropped the banner from a release while in flight.

Don't like the shock to the entire airframe, that is why I tow off the ground.

I drop the banner before landing to eliminate it catching on anything and ripping out the fuse.

What is key to successful banner towing is the way it is made. I canter the banner at the leading edge about 2 in. forward with respect to the bottom. I also have a shorter harness to the top than the bottom.

I also add 1/4 oz lead weight to the bottom of the banner starting at the forward position and about ever 12 to 18 inches. this assists the banner to fly without roatating.

I also use a fiber glass rod about 22 inches at the front. to stiffen the front. I have built and flown 3 banners very successfully.

I had a very nice visit with Jim in the Denver area around Thanksgiving of 2001 and got a tour of his club's airfield--really magnificent.

• Modified Hobbistar 60
• Towhook attached near CG underneath the plane
• Dedicated servo & off-the-shelf release system (DuBro?)
• Small bungee cords in tow-line to soften shock of starting the tow
• Free-moving connector on banner's front lines to let it find its own equilibrium
• Light rip-stop nylon & light twine for the banner
• Sewn seams all around
  
• Lessons from six or eight flights:

  • We stretched out the banner on the ground behind the plane and just dragged it across the ground for takeoff. It worked quite well.
  • The trailing edge of the banner rippled a LOT. The twine came out the end and tasseled. I could have used rope to give it some body.
  • The tow line wrapped around the tail wheel once and we had to land with the banner still trailing behind the plane. No problem.
  • We used vinyl letters ironed on to the fabric. Fabric paint would probably have held up better. As the letters fray and break up, I'm replacing them with paint.
  • The banner does get attention. A couple came off the highway to see what was going on.
  • Anxiety was high on all flights. I found it hard to judge what was a real effect and what was merely nerves. Turns seemed a little slow. I used both rudder and ailerons on all turns, I think. I tended to keep the power up.