Aerial advertising banners are a kitschy, eye-catching way for companies to get their message out.
I always thought they were an American thing, but I was wrong.
Anyways: Did you ever wonder how they attach the banners? The airplanes can’t take off with them; dragging the banner down the runway would foul or destroy the banners, as well as provide unwelcome drag.
Chance Mitchell, a/k/a Chance the Pilot, demonstrates how it’s done. The plane takes off without the banner, which is on the ground, attached to a rope that’s slung between two poles. The pilot makes a dive run towards the banner, throws a freaking grappling hook, then pulls up:
This might be a tough watch for desk-bound office workers. This is Chance’s daily view at work:
And you thought “industrial designer” was an unusual job to explain to strangers.