would you be able to tow a banner with a light sport aircraft license?

Question

what are the rulings of the engine size that you are allowed to tow a banner with...

Answer 1

If YOU pay for the gas, rental. etc. and do not get compensated in any way. ( i would not even log the hours as this might been
construed as compensation)This goes for what ever is "advertised" on the banner, it must be gratis in ALL aspects as well.
The "FAR's" do not say anything about banning light sport AC
from towing, but you must get a "waiver" from the FAA
for the specific airplane,

Here is what the regs DO say:

§ 91.311
Towing: Other than under §91.309
(§91.309 refers towing gliders and unppowered ultralights)

No pilot of a civil aircraft may tow anything with that aircraft (other than under §91.309) except in accordance with the terms of a certificate of waiver issued by the Administrator.



§ 91.313 Restricted category civil aircraft: Operating limitations.
(a) No person may operate a restricted category civil aircraft—
(1) For other than the special purpose for which it is certificated; or

(2) In an operation other than one necessary to accomplish the work activity directly associated with that special purpose.

(b) For the purpose of paragraph (a) of this section, operating a restricted category civil aircraft to provide flight crewmember training in a special purpose operation for which the aircraft is certificated is considered to be an operation for that special purpose.

(c) No person may operate a restricted category civil aircraft carrying persons or property for compensation or hire. For the purposes of this paragraph, a special purpose operation involving the carriage of persons or material necessary to accomplish that operation, such as crop dusting, seeding, spraying, and banner towing (including the carrying of required persons or material to the location of that operation), and operation for the purpose of providing flight crewmember training in a special purpose operation, are not considered to be the carriage of persons or property for compensation or hire.

(d) No person may be carried on a restricted category civil aircraft unless that person—

(1) Is a flight crewmember;

(2) Is a flight crewmember trainee;

(3) Performs an essential function in connection with a special purpose operation for which the aircraft is certificated; or

(4) Is necessary to accomplish the work activity directly associated with that special purpose.

(e) Except when operating in accordance with the terms and conditions of a certificate of waiver or special operating limitations issued by the Administrator, no person may operate a restricted category civil aircraft within the United States—

(1) Over a densely populated area;

(2) In a congested airway; or

(3) Near a busy airport where passenger transport operations are conducted.

(f) This section does not apply to nonpassenger-carrying civil rotorcraft external-load operations conducted under part 133 of this chapter.

(g) No person may operate a small restricted-category civil airplane manufactured after July 18, 1978, unless an approved shoulder harness is installed for each front seat. The shoulder harness must be designed to protect each occupant from serious head injury when the occupant experiences the ultimate inertia forces specified in §23.561(b)(2) of this chapter. The shoulder harness installation at each flight crewmember station must permit the crewmember, when seated and with the safety belt and shoulder harness fastened, to perform all functions necessary for flight operation. For purposes of this paragraph—

(1) The date of manufacture of an airplane is the date the inspection acceptance records reflect that the airplane is complete and meets the FAA-approved type design data; and

(2) A front seat is a seat located at a flight crewmember station or any seat located alongside such a seat.
§ 91.315 Limited category civil aircraft: Operating limitations.
top

No person may operate a limited category civil aircraft carrying persons or property for compensation or hire.

Answer 2

Any person or organization may operate a banner advertising service provided the tow plane is flown by a commercial pilot. A private pilot deemed competent by his FAA office may tow banners for any purpose for which he is not compensated, as in advertising a business he owns, or to promoted a non profit organization free of charge.
The other thing to consider is can your light sport aircraft carry the weight of pulling a banner.

I recommend reading FAA/FS-I-8700-1 and AC 43.13-2A CHG 1 chapter 8. You will also need to fill out a form 7711-2 certificate of waiver. You'll need this waiver to be exempt from 14CFR part 91.313(e) because towing a banner puts your aircraft in the "restricted" category. I have dual category certificates on my airplanes. When I am not towing banners my airplanes are considered to be in the standard category. I must display a restricted placard in my airplanes only while I am towing a banner.

Answer 3

Banner towing would be considered to be a commercial activity, and Light Sport aircraft are not allowed to be used for commercial purposes.

Answer 4

You are required to hold a commercial pilots license to tow banners and your aircraft can not be a light sport aircraft since they are not approved for commercial operations.

Answer 5

I'm no expert in this area, but I would say for sure you would need a minimum of a Commercial license if you are being compensated. As far as the sport plane goes, I would say not a problem as the J-3 and 7AC are in that category as I understand it, but I don't think they have the power to do the job unless it's a damn small banner.
I don't think there is an engine size as long as you have the power to do it. I'm sure there is a FAR somewhere which covers it.

Answer 6

If you are getting paid to tow this banner, it would be illegal since you need your commercial certificate to fly for any compensation...

Answer 7

Nope. As two of the others have said, it requires a Commercial Certificate, and Sport Pilot Certificate doesn't qualify...

Answer 8

Local laws may prevail, but you would need a special permit to tow anything with any aircraft, and the lic would be specific to your airplane.