Simviation Forums

This super cub has been operating out of the same airport I fly out of for the last few days.  He flies around town towing a Geico banner.  Every time I see him pick up the banner I'm in the traffic pattern or departing the airport.  Don't know if anyone's seen a banner being picked up, but it's kinda neat... at least for me it is anyway.  Not something I see everyday.  Maybe I'll get a decent shot of him picking up the banner.

Not the most interesting shot in the world by this forum's standards but here it is...

Are you sure that is a Super Cub? The engine looks like a traditional J3 to me... I could be wrong.

Something very odd about that Cub. Looks like it's been fitted with a Cessna undercarriage.

It has "RESTRICTED" placarded on the side of the airplane because of the alterations on the airplane.  I noticed the airplane only has one seat and it's further forward of where the pilot would normally sit to fly solo.  Probably to keep the plane in C.G. while towing the massive banners.  I didn't get to talk with him for very long, but the guy flying it claimed it was a Super Cub.

It's definitely modified... I think Doug is right about the gear legs; the stock PA-18 has the same bungee gear as the J models.

The engine is very likely the usual O-320; the A-65 would look a lot smaller with the cowl off than this engine does.

I also enjoy watching these guys pick up banners- it's some pretty extreme flying.  :o

Something very odd about that Cub. Looks like it's been fitted with a Cessna undercarriage.

Not to mention to the mildly alarming wingtips!

Something very odd about that Cub. Looks like it's been fitted with a Cessna undercarriage.

Not to mention to the mildly alarming wingtips!

Indeed Charlie........out here on the west coast of Canada, we see all sorts of slow flight enhancement mods(droop tips, Canards on 182s, etc.,....) all in aid of better handling for the remote strips bush flyers have to deal with...........they sure make a Cub look different from factory stock.........

Something very odd about that Cub. Looks like it's been fitted with a Cessna undercarriage.

Not to mention to the mildly alarming wingtips!

Indeed Charlie........out here on the west coast of Canada, we see all sorts of slow flight enhancement mods(droop tips, Canards on 182s, etc.,....) all in aid of better handling for the remote strips bush flyers have to deal with...........they sure make a Cub look different.........

I have a photo of a Super Cub with that wingtip mod somewhere. I took it either at Popham or Shoreham. IIRC
Makes it look very much like an Aviat Husky. I'll see if I can find it.

It's definitely modified... I think Doug is right about the gear legs; the stock PA-18 has the same bungee gear as the J models.

The engine is very likely the usual O-320; the A-65 would look a lot smaller with the cowl off than this engine does.

I also enjoy watching these guys pick up banners- it's some pretty extreme flying.  :o

Ok I give up, how do they pick up banners?!? I pictured them taking off with the banner already attached, but apparently thats not the case, anyone care to enlighten me?  Do they snag it during a low pass or something?

 Do they snag it during a low pass or something?

Exactly; the standard way you pick up anything with a plane: there is a long loop, strung between two not-very-tall poles, and the load is attached to it. The plane dives down, accelerating, and a hook on a line is deployed, either by a lever in the cockpit or by the pilot tossing the hook and line overboard.
The hook snags the loop; it comes off the poles, and if all goes well the plane will have some airspeed in reserve when it's time to pick up the load as the loop goes tight.

Look up "banner tow" or "banner pickup" on YouTube; there are a lot of detailed clips showing how it all works.

appreciate the info!  I didnt know it was like that haha i just assumed it was hooked up before take off, shows how much i know huh?  learnin new stuff here at SimV everyday