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I was wondering what the general consensus is regarding "helibanners?"

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helibanner

 

The Wikipedia article seems to view them in a favorable manner.

 

General thoughts everyone?

 

 

I thought you were nuts when I read the title of the thread. I have never seen one before...it would be a lot easier to change banners with a helo, than the standard drop of an airplane..

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NTSB Identification: LAX05LA289.

The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division

14 CFR Part 133: Rotorcraft Ext. Load

Accident occurred Monday, September 05, 2005 in Long Beach, CA

Probable Cause Approval Date: 2/26/2007

Aircraft: Bell 206B, registration: N667JM

Injuries: 1 Serious.

 

The helicopter descended to ground impact after the tow rope of a banner became entangled in the tail rotor system, resulting in the in-flight separation of the tail rotor and tail rotor gearbox. During liftoff for a banner tow flight, the top rear corner of the banner became tangled with the top front corner. The pilot continued with the climb believing the banner would untangle itself. When the banner did not untangle itself, the pilot attempted to maneuver the helicopter and the banner back to the drop point on the airport, but during a slow descent, the banner rotated to a horizontal position, assumed an airfoil shape, and floated higher than the helicopter's position. The pilot said he could no longer see the banner in his rear view mirror, only the tow rope extending up and aft, and he was concerned that the rope might get into the tail rotor. The pilot chose not to release the banner as he descended slowly toward the drop point. The tow rope became entangled in the tail rotor system and the tail rotor gearbox separated from the tail boom. The helicopter then began to rotate. The pilot reduced the throttle to idle in an attempt to reduce the torque and rotations about the vertical axis. He then lowered the nose to gain airspeed. The helicopter impacted terrain in a near vertical attitude. The helicopter was equipped with an electrical and manual release for the banner tow hook.

 

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

 

the pilot's decision not to release the banner when it became entangled on itself, which resulted in the banner tow rope becoming ensnarled with the tail rotor system.

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I was wondering what the general consensus is regarding "helibanners?"

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helibanner

 

The Wikipedia article seems to view them in a favorable manner.

 

General thoughts everyone?

 

I thought you were nuts when I read the title of the thread. I have never seen one before

 

Why the surprise? There are a lot of companies doing this. In cities where availability of fixed wing pick up / drop off points (or even aircraft) might be scarce, and where there is high visibility for the client, it is very practical.

 

HeliServices reguarly fly banners in Hong Kong harbour using a Lama.

 

Joker

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  • 5 years later...

Helicopter Professionals,

 

Can anyone provide any detailed insight into helicopter banner towing operations for aerial advertising? I know you must have a Part 133 certificate and I’ve read the FAA’s guidance from FS-I-8700-1, Information for Banner Tow Operations. Does anyone know of any operations that have been successful conducting this service in the US? Any issues with the FAA or state/local governments? Any issues with banner towing from an R44 with an external cargo hook (assuming w/in W&B limits) utilizing a legitimate weighted banner system? Thanks!

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Helicopter Professionals,

 

Can anyone provide any detailed insight into helicopter banner towing operations for aerial advertising?

 

I know you must have a Part 133 certificate and I’ve read the FAA’s guidance from FS-I-8700-1, Information for Banner Tow Operations.

 

Does anyone know of any operations that have been successful conducting this service in the US?

 

Any issues with the FAA or state/local governments? Any issues with banner towing from an R44 with an external cargo hook (assuming w/in W&B limits) utilizing a legitimate weighted banner system? Thanks!

 

Take another look at the guidance; a Part 133 certificate is not required for Aerial Advertising operations (Banner Tow).

 

 

Both examples below were in the US:

 

BannerTow_zps4d2e672a.jpg

 

 

'>http://youtu.be/BCupbLNYDQg

Edited by iChris
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