Controversial Joe Paterno airplane banner ordered through LI company

A small plane that flew over Penn State University's campus Tuesday pulling a banner with a controversial message regarding the child sex abuse scandal rocking the university had a Long Island link.

The sign that read "Take the statue down or we will" was ordered through NationalSkyAds.com, an aerial advertising company based in Mattituck. The message is a reference to the statue of former football coach Joe Paterno that stands in front of Beaver Stadium.

Ted D., the owner of NationalSkyAds.com who did not want to give his last name, confirmed that the aerial ad was ordered through his company. He declined to comment on who placed the order.

"Anybody who doesn’t like the message is entitled to a rebuttal, and they can buy it from me," he said. "My job is to fly this stuff, I don’t censor ads."

To fly an aerial banner like the one that fluttered over Penn State usually costs about $1,600, Ted said. The plane is expected to fly over State College, Pa. again Wednesday for a few hours.

The plane that was flying the banner was registered to Air America Aerial Ads, a company in Ohio. Ted said he contracted the plane to fly over State College as part of the order. To make the aerial signs, Ted said he orders the letters -- which are about seven feet tall -- and puts the message together letter by letter.