We are growing year by year, our clients are growing, our air charter services are growing, as well as our service locations are growing. Banner Towing / Flower dropping
1. INTRODUCTION
In many countries, banner towing & Flower dropping is undertaken as an effective means of advertising. Some operators have shown interest in engaging in this activity in India. Before permitting banner towing using small aircraft, certain guidelines have to be complied with to ensure that the activity is performed safely and does not cause hazard to public. This circular lays down the guidelines and procedure for performing banner towing operations.
2. PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING APPROVAL FOR BANNER TOWING & Flower Drop
2.1 Banner towing is considered as a commercial activity and shall be performed only by the operators holding non-scheduled Operating Permit/Air Operations' Certificate issued by D.G.C.A.
2.2 Engineering Requirements
2.2.1 Only such aircraft may be used for banner towing which has been duly modified and approved for the purpose by the country of design, manufacture or by DGCA. The operator should furnish full details of the modified aircraft proposed to be used for the operations. The details of the banner design as well as the combination of the aircraft and the banner shall be examined by DGCA before granting approval.
2.2.2 The aircraft and the banner tow fitting shall be inspected by DGCA. The operation of the tow hook release mechanism may require demonstration before granting approval.
2.2.3 The cockpit should be suitably placarded to indicate approved maximum aircraft speed during banner towing. For this purpose, the maximum aircraft speed, prescribed by the manufacturers for banner towing, should be adopted. In the absence of manufactures' recommendation, the maximum speed of the aircraft should not exceed the following:-
i) Approved maneuvering speed.
ii) 70% of maximum level flight speed.
iii) 70% of maximum structural cruising speed.
iv) Maximum yaw angle and bank angle should be 10 degree and 15 degree respectively.
2.2.4 The aircraft should be inspected prior to each flight by appropriately licenced or approved person, to ensure that all the systems, including flight control systems, the tow hook release mechanism etc. are functioning normally.
2.2.5 All limitations should be placarded suitably in the cockpit.
2.3 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
2.3.1 The pilot should hold at least CPL with an appropriate category and rating. Theoperator should ensure that the pilot is properly qualified and competent to perform banner towing operation.
2.3.2 The pilot should familiarize himself with the procedure of banner towing and certify in writing in the Journey Log Book that he has read and understood the special provisions and instructions in respect of banner towing operation.
2.3.3 The pilot should be imparted adequate and sufficient training by an approved pilot instructor, who may decided the quantum of such training to his satisfaction.
2.3.4 The operation of banner towing should be properly planned. The banner should not be picked up or dropped closer than 500 feet to any active runway or other persons or vehicles not engaged in the operation. The area of dropping the banner should be clearly planned and intimated to the ground crew. 'The banner & flower dropping area should be decided in consultation with Airports Authority of India. It should be determined that the banner would not create a hazard to the persons or property if deliberately or inadvertently dropped.
2.3.5 Aerobatics maneuvers shall not be permitted during banner towing operation.
2.3.6 Carriage of passengers on a banner towing flight shall be prohibited.
2.3.7 Banner towing and flower dropping operations shall be restricted to hours between sun-rise and sunset.
2.3.8 The banner towing and flower dropping operations shall not be conducted unless the ceiling is at least 1500 feet and the visibility at least 5 miles. Special VFR flights shall be prohibited.
3. The operators desirous of conducting banner towing & flower dropping operations may apply to the Director' General of Civil Aviation, Technical Centre, Opp. Safdajung Airport, New Delhi- I 10 003. DGCA may require the local airworthiness office to inspect the aircraft and the towing mechanism and a demonstration flight. The demonstration shall be required to be carried out by an appropriately qualified pilot in accordance with para 2.3.
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION