An airplane takes off with a "grapnel hook" hanging in the window. The hook is connected to the tail of the airplane by either rope or cable. Once the airplane is airborne the pilot releases the "hook" from the window so that it swings freely from the tail.
Meanwhile in the banner field, a large aerial billboard is stretched out over the grass. At the rear of the billboard are "Tail Socks" (mini parachutes) or "Tail Screen" which provides drag (friction in the air) to keep the flying billboard stretched out in a readable position. At the front of the billboard is a "lead pole" (stiff vertical pole slightly taller than the billboard) with a weighted bottom. The "lead pole" provides support for the billboard during flight and a weight added to the bottom assures the billboard will fly write side up. Attached to the lead pole is a "harness" or "bridle" which is used to attach the billboard to the "pick up rope".
At the front of the harness a long rope ("pick up rope") is connected and stretched to a set of poles protruding about six feet from the ground. At the end of this long rope is a smaller rope that forms a loop. The loop is suspended in the air, across the two poles.
The ground crew gives the signal...
Banner Chief: "Bird Dog 1832, you’re clear for pick up"
Pilot: "Roger Coming in"
Here comes the plane...
The plane approaches the poles, close to the ground at 80 miles per hour. Just before the plane reaches the poles, the pilot advances to full throttle . . . The engine roars . . . . the pilot simultaneously pulls back on the control stick . . . . the grapnel hook passes through the poles and snags the “loop” of rope and the airplane leaps into a steep but safe climb. The plane climbs higher and there it is! The pilot feels a tug and knows the billboard is becoming airborne. The ground crew confirms…
Banner Chief: "Here it comes!"
The pilot continues to climb to a safe altitude and heads toward the target area.
Some time later...
Pilot:"Ground, this is Bird Dog 1832, you copy?"
Banner Chief: "Go ahead Bird Dog 1832"
Pilot:"I'm Five miles out, inbound for a banner drop"
Banner Chief: "Roger Bird Dog, all clear for the drop"
The plane and billboard approach the banner field and begins a decent. As the airplane fly's overhead the pilot waits for the signal.
Banner Chief: "Drop"
The pilot pulls a lever in the cockpit, releasing the grappling hook and flying billboard from the airplane. The banner settles gently to the ground and the ground crew prepares the next billboard for flight.
