Search »

Sky Typing from Planes Creates Longer Messages in Less Time

As advertisers explore new ways of reaching consumers outside their homes, they are increasingly looking upward - to the sky - for ad space, including to a new technology called sky typing.

Such advertising can include planes towing banners, sky writing, or a new technology called sky typing, writes Media Life. Sky writing typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes for a single plane to create six to eight characters, and works best for established brands.

Unlike sky writing, sky typing involves a team of five planes. The planes use a new technology in which the vapor is emitted in a series of dots. The technology allows for more characters - up to 25 to 30 - and can be completed in just three to four minutes. It is also significantly more expensive, since it involves more planes - as much as $10,000 to $15,000, compared to the $5,000 required for a sky writing message.

Sky writing and typing, along with banner towing, are available in nearly every market in the U.S. Regulations are overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration, which works in conjunction with the flight company, so the advertiser need not worry about obtaining special permits.

Planes are not allowed to fly over Manhattan. They cannot fly within a 15-mile radius of the White House, and they cannot fly over stadiums with 30,000 or more people in attendance, from an hour before to an hour after a game.

Research suggests that there is a high recall for aerial advertising. Companies include Aerial Media Services, Arnold Aerial Advertising, AirSign, High Exposure Aerial Advertising, Aviad, Aerial Services, Aerial Skyvertising, Look Media USA, Skytypers, and USSkyAds.