Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240; Flight Crew Type 4500
Conflict NMAC
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Procedure
After switching to Tower frequency and cleared to land 9L in FLL; the Tower Controller called out VFR traffic (Banner Tow) at approximately two miles low. The traffic was slightly off the left side of our aircraft. The Captain called 'in sight' and I continued the approach exactly on glide slope. Inside of 2;000 FT AGL; I lessened the vertical descent since the VFR traffic appeared like it was going to fly directly underneath us. At approximately 1;400 FT AGL; we received an RA to 'Adjust Vertical Speed' and I acted accordingly. After a slight level off; the conflict was resolved and I continued the stable approach to a landing. I would estimate the traffic passed underneath of our aircraft by approximately 400 FT. Although Tower confirmed the VFR traffic was operating in appropriate airspace; it doesn't seem to be a good idea for a Banner Tow to be at 1;000 FT AGL three to four miles from the approach end of an active runway.
The weather was VMC at the time of the challenge. We were cleared for the ILS 9L (FLL). I was acting as the pilot not flying. FLL Local called traffic (a Banner Tow aircraft at 1000' MSL) slightly north of the final tracking south. As I understand it and later confirmed the Banner Tow aircraft was just outside C Airspace; but very close to; if not in; Class D airspace. I found the traffic when we were approximately 1;300 FT MSL on the glide slope. The TCAS fired shortly thereafter with a 'Traffic/Traffic; Adjust Vertical Descent ... Adjust.' You can well imagine it got a bit hectic as were trying to respond to the RA call and maintain situational awareness on the airplane that was doing a fly under maneuver. I find it odd (but curiously legal) how FLL Local permitted a Banner Tow aircraft within 300 FT of our three degree glide to 9L. Supposedly the Banner Tow aircraft  sight; but I believe safety was degraded by allowing a minimal separation on an ILS. The First Officer acted properly and promptly and the landing was uneventful. I had what I believe was a cordial exchange with the Local Controller regarding the wisdom of permitting such a situation to develop in the first place.
B737 flight crew experiences a TCAS RA during approach to Runway 9L at FLL at 1;300 FT caused by a banner tow aircraft passing under the glide path at 1;000 FT.