• After going on an airplane ride with her father, Suzanne Asbury fell in love with flying and soon after started flight lessons when she was 14 years old. 
• By age 15, she had done her first solo flight, and by 18 she had a powered-aircraft instrument rating, multi engine rating, commercial certificate, flight instructor, and instrument-flight instructor certificates. She was a true professional pilot!
• In 1980, Pepsi-Cola hired Suzanne Asbury as a skywriter. She and her husband Steven Oliver became America's only husband and wife professional skywriting and aerobatic team. 
• Over 40 years later, Suzanne Asbury-Oliver is still flying today, writing over 500 messages in the sky each year!

Materials Needed: 

• paper or template paper
• marker
• light source

Step 1: Figure out your message.

Suzanne Asbury-Oliver worked for Pepsi and wrote messages to promote their drink. 

Sometimes people hire skywriters to promote their products, like Pepsi, or to send messages of love and hope.

One artist even hired a skywriter to draw clouds in the sky over New York City, just to give people a reason to take a break in their day and look up!

What message do you want to write?

Step 2: Draw out your message onto a piece of paper

Did you know that skywriters have to write their messages backwards so people on the ground can read their writing? This is your chance to practice this!

• Get out a few pieces of paper. You'll need some for practicing because you'll make mistakes. It's OK! This might be your first time writing backwards! It takes practice to get it right. 
  • Print out this special paper or use a piece of your own paper.
• First, if you have a long message, you can start by writing it out like you usually would - not backwards. You can then use this as a guide for when you do write backwards.

• To write backwards, start on the right side of the page (opposite of what you're used to!) and write the first letter of your message.
• Continue with the second letter of your message but don't forget to write it backwards!

Step 3: Look at your message "from the ground"

• Once you're done writing your message, turn your paper over. 
• It might be hard to see your message while it's on your writing surface.
• Go to your light source and hold your paper up so the light shines behind it.
• Imagine that you are a person on the ground reading a message in the sky!

Step 4: Share your message!

• Show your creation to someone in your family. 
• Teach a family member or friend how to "write like a skywriter!"

Materials Needed: 

• short cardboard tube, like a toilet paper tube
• printer paper (6 pieces)
• scissors
• tape
• crayons or markers
• string or yarn, about 8 inches long

Step 1: Make a biplane

Watch this video of museum educator Ann as she shows you how to make the biplane that will tow your banner.
Pause the video any time so you can follow along with Ann to make your craft.

Step 2: Add a grapple hook and towline to your plane.

All aircraft used for banner towing need a place to connect the banner to the plane, and this part is the grapple hook and towline.

• Fold a small piece of paper into a 2-inch long strip of paper that is about 1/4 inch wide.  Tape it to the back of your plane and then fold it down, like in the photo. This is your grapple hook.
• Take your piece of string and fold it in half.
• Tape the folded end to the grapple hook. This is your towline.

Step 3: Create your banner

• Cut a long thin strip of paper to use as your banner. 
• Write your message on your banner.
• Tape the two loose end of your towline to the corners of your banner (see images for details).

Step 4: Fly your banner!

Banner tow pilots are very busy during the summer months when people are at the beach or at outdoor events.  

Pretend your plane is flying over one of these places. Where did your plane travel?