2011 Banner Towing
 

Looking to see what banner towing companies are going to be hiring, when and what their contact information is. I'd like the put my tail wheel endorsement to work and build some time, but at this point a job is a job and I'm looking at all possibilities.

Jonas,

I hope you find something soon, where are you living now?

I would love to find out these details as well....

I did send my resume to Van Wagner, and they said I was qualified and might call me back in a few weeks to start the interview process as they are starting to train soon.

Not sure what the names of the other companies are.

its a damn cruddy job...

What exactly did you need to qualify for Van Wagner? And since this post was a while ago, how did it go??

If you're going for a banner job make sure to get one that will send you to a variety of different events so you can log some X-C otherwise it's almost a complete waste of time IMO.

I wouldn't go so far to say it's almost a complete waste of time. My family owns a banner tow company, I have probably 2000 hrs towing, and have flown BE400, MU300, Lears, Citations and am now at an airline. We have never had a pilot that was not successful at landing a better job after a season or two, every last one of them,( and I keep in touch with them all), is either at an airline, flying freight or corporate. Don't let people tell you it's a waste of time or dangerous. Most of the time those folks either A) worked for a really crummy outfit or B) have never actually done it. I always hear people say "that's a dangerous job", compared to what? It's as dangerous as you make it, like most aspects of flying. If you have good stick and rudder skills and some common aerodynamic knowledge and sense you will be just fine and probably have some fun. I can honestly say, that there are many days when I'm strapped in the front seat of that airliner, with a tie snugged up and some polyester pants on, wishing I could fly around in shorts and a t-shirt with the windows open.

BeachBum, Thanks for the informative post. It's nice to hear from someone who actually has first hand experience.

Say a pilot wanted to start their own aerial advertising business, maybe with just himself as the sole employee (owner/operator/pilot type of thing), other than an airplane what would it take? I know there are places you can buy the banner material and equipment, but how much $ would have to be put into other expenses? How do you find business that will advertise with you? What kind of insurance would you need, etc.??

I have heard of quite a few smaller operations like the one your family owns, maybe the same type of thing would be worth pursuing in my local area? I live in a fairly decent size part of the Pacific Northwest, but I never see any banners flying around here. Maybe I could stop spending my time searching for jobs and just employee myself! Wouldn't that be nice...

It IS dangerous.

I did it for 2 crummy operations and the best operator Aerial Sign.

I watched 2 great pilots die in separate incidents.

It IS a job, it will give you time that, in certain circles, might help. If you're looking for anything besides time building, it's all worthless single engine VFR without cross country. There are a few CC banner runs but they are rare.

Why do it?

1. Money, it's better that minimum wage (starting at $10 from what i saw recently)
2. Experience. The majors and regionals may not care, but It's a great story and CAN be a fun time.

Why not do it?

1. If you are risk adverse. I don't care what company owners will tell you, it IS more dangerous.
2. If you have a better offer. Even pipeline patrols have x-country.

It is a way of life, most banner pilots has little intention of going to the Majors

CE