SAFE FLIGHT GROUNDED BY AIR CONTROLLER
By Adnews Staff
A Ramses condom ad was grounded last weekend just before it was supposed to circle Giants Stadium in New Jersey during a football game. A plane ordered down jus as it was about to fly over the game towing a 75-foot banner showing the outline of a condom around the word "Ramses". The ad's tagline read, "Roll one on." The company towing the banner, O'Brien Aviation, says an air traffic controller told the pilot to come back to earth because there had been too many complaints when the ad flew on Oct. 8. The New Jersey Giants football club and New Jersey Sports and Exhibition Authority, which runs the stadium, passed on what they say were "many" complaints from football fans to the Federal Aviation Authority. The FAA is investigating the incident, according to a Newsday report. The FAA says access to airspace is based on safety, air traffic and other operational requirements, but not on an advertiser's message. The various companies involved with the ad plan to fly it in New Jersey again, says Newsday. The banner has been airborne during football games in Dallas, San Francisco and other cities.