Subieguy14

I have my first job opportunity lined up and he wants to send me to a banner towing "school" to get my tail wheel endorsement and all my forms and stuff filled out along with learning all about banner towing. Anyone that used to tow banners have any tips or useful info they would like to share? Anything is welcomed, thanks!

EDIT - Any tail wheel tips also? I will be in a super cub or husky.

fanboy

• Expect to feel like you're a brand new student pilot for the first lesson or three.
• Expect to explore parts of the runway you've probably never explored before.
• Expect to scare the crap out of yourself quite a few times, and thank your CFI for saving your butt.
• If you don't already, learn to focus your eyes at the far end of the runway. It's the only way you have a chance at keeping her going straight.

agayo70

Very true on the above. Especially the points 2-4, I learned my tailwheel endorsement in a Citabria. It was fun to land, but spanked me a few times before I got a good hang on the 3pt landing. Damn thing is so sensitive on the stick. But it is fun.
Blue Skies, my friend!

pilotgolfer

How much are they charging you for this? There are lots of places willing to take your money.

Big tip...don't tow with a grappling hook attached to a line. I saw two cases where the kid bounced the hook and got the line wrapped around the tail. Both ended in a fiery death.

I only towed for one summer...but I had a blast. If you are on the east coast, take a drive to Rio Grande, NJ and check out Paramount.

Subieguy14

I believe he said $2700, includes the ground instruction and 16 hours of flying. It is done by one of the guys at Aerial Messages in Florida.

supra556

Towed for 2 seasons on MD and DE beaches... I was always told beware of the pay to train banner companies. But with that said... be humble and open minded and its usually good to have thick skin. Towing isn't for everyone but was some of the most intense flying but boring at the same time.

Subieguy14

I went to ATP.... so I guess you could say im used to people taking my money, I have no issue paying as i still get the experience which is alright with me

supra556

Went to ATP as well ... know exactly what you mean. Learning Tailwheel will definitely help with the stick and rudder skills ATP doesn't teach you.

CrimsonEclipse

Tailwheel:
Love the rudder. BE the rudder. Use ALL of the rudder.

Banner towing:
Check your gear (hooks, rings, releases) Check the engine mounts including the structure tubes of the engine mount for cracks and failures. Then engines operate at high power constantly. Check the strut attachments on the horizontal stabilizer. Cracks at the bolt hole of the stabilizer tube leading edge.

If you're flying a 180 HP version, it'll have a larger prop, so 3 point landing only.

Watch the oil temp. A husky with a constant speed prop towing might have higher temps.

T28driver

Banner towing is a great experience, I spent a summer doing it in Texas and still do checkouts for new pilots occaisionally.

RULE #1: KNOW WHERE THE RELEASE IS!!!!! I cannot stress this enough. If you have any doubt regarding the performance of the airplane, release. If the release is on the floor, practice kicking it open with your foot.

RULE #2: It's ok to miss the pickup (and you will), as long as you miss high. Missing low can be bad to catastrophic.

RULE #3: Have someone on the ground that can watch the pickup. One potential outcome of missing low is hooking the banner with the tailwheel instead of the hook. If that happens, you will not be able to release and will have to land with the banner attached. This IS an emergency procedure, but it's not terrible. What you do not want to do is head out on a 3 hour pull with no way to release if your engine quits.