Oldman, I see that you are a pilot,

[hawkdon]

and have a question about planes....frequently on tv news or adv i see one
of the big passenger planes flying and spot a "ball" looking object flying along behind the plane on a wire/cable.....WHY, what is the purpose of the ball and do
all planes have them?? thanks for clearing this up....had another question but
lost it in my gray cells somewhere!! don

 

[Robb.hisself]

what is the purpose of the ball

The 'ball' is a flying saucer. You are probably seeing it in a Twilight Zone episode. But, you thought you were watching an advertisement. You gray cells just got mixed up. It happens.

 

[hawkdon]

Well I think I found the answer my self...
https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr...tlecock//RK=2/RS=txr2FJ_erlbNiIwrxzrMx0_eoJE-

 

[oldman]

Is this what you are talking about?

What Is The Shuttlecock That Hangs Off The Tail Of Test Planes?

To me, nothing scarier than flying a test plane or a plane that was purchased from another airline and completely reconditioned and then flown for the first time. United doesn’t do that, but there are other airlines that do.

 

[hawkdon]

Yes, that is what I was referring too, thanks Oldman !!!!!