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Weight & Balance Calculation – Banner towing

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Commercial Pilot

So, I have recently started banner towing on the side and am wondering how I might calculate the weight and balance of towing a banner. The banners create quite a bit of drag, they do not weigh all that much but it sure does make you wonder where the CG is.  

I am in a C150-150 and the banner is hanging be hind me about 220 feet. it is up to 80 feet long itself and weighs in total with the line and fabric and polls about 40 lbs to guess. 

It connects at the tail hook.  No idea what station that is, I would have to go measure it. 

So does the banner count as drag or weight? and then how could I ever be considered in CG?

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1 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Aug 04, 2014

    It sounds like the person who trained you for this operation dropped the ball. Also, if you were observed by an FAA inspector conducting a banner tow, was there no discussion of weight and balance?

    I’ve not towed banners, but did tow gliders. Granted, the glider is a bit more aerodynamic than a sign. The big effect was the drag. But then, the glider is attached during takeoff.

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