I have seen flags towed behind airplanes and am planning to try this for an airshow coming up. I would like advice from anybody who has experience doing this successfully and how it worked. Has anybody written anything about this?

Does it affect the balance or flying of the airplane? I will be using a Giant Stinger with a G-62 engine to tow it so I have plenty of power. I figure that some kind of weight should be attached to the bottom of the flag by the pole to keep it right-side up.

Keep 'em flyin'
cmith232

I don't think I have seen that one before. I'm sure it could be done.

The way it is done full scale is to have a glider release on the tailwheel mounting of the plane. There is a rope with a treble hook on the end of it. This is carried in the plane on take off and is already hooked to the release. Once in the air, the pilot tosses out the hook and it trails behind the plane. On the ground, the banner or flag is laid out so that the forward end will be facing the plane as it comes towards it. There is a long line on the flag that is attached in a loop to two poles that are about 30 feet apart. The pilot comes in low and tries to snag the line on the poles with the hook and goes right to full power and into a vrey steep climb. This is so that he can pick up the banner clean and pull it up and not along the ground. Once he returns, he flies over the field and releases the banner. Then goes around and lands the plane normally.


It took me 4 tries to pick up my first banner in full scale! Scared me half to death. Even then I did not climb hard enough and tore the banner up.

I'm sure it could be done in RC with a powerful plane, and would like to see it!
Hans

I would also add that you should have a "weak link" in the rope in case something snags on the ground. You want the rope to break before the plane is pulled down!

Balance is not affected.

Tom

Tom,
Very good point!
Hans

Heavy date
How about the sudden loss of altitude after you started your climb? That increases your pucker factor too!! lol

Bearmech,
Yea, that was always fun!!! I can hear the instructor now, now when you feel the full weight of the banner, and the stall horn is screaming in your ear, push the nose over hard and get the airspeed back. But be careful not to let the banner touch the ground again and don't dive into it yourself. By now you should still be at full power and going about 80 knots. Keep full power on until you drop the banner!!!!! I learned to hate people with long names!

MARRY ME ROSA HILARY MARIA JONES-MILLER LOVE JIM

That one sucks the tanks dry in a hurry!!!!!!!!!
Hans

It never looked right to me, a 150/150 slamming toward the ground with out the nose pitched over!! Exciting!!

That's all great guys, but we are straying from the original subject, which is trying to tow an American flag with a Giant Stinger during the opening of our air show while we play the national anthem.

Having a weak link is a good idea for if the flag snags on something. A quick release is a good idea too.

I was hoping that someone out there has actual experience doing this. I have seen it a couple of times and it is impressive.

Thanks
cmitch232