Pilot uses flight path to send heartwarming message

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (CBS, KYMA) - The pilot of a small airplane took to the skies over northwestern Arkansas Wednesday to issue a heartwarming message, a flight animation shows.

This 3D visualization of the aircraft's path, provided by AirNav Radar, shows a giant fingerprint and the message "you are loved" taking shape after the pilot took off from Bentonville.

The route was undertaken by Benjamin McDaniel, a self-described pilot and artist who has posted numerous visualizations of his journeys to his Instagram account, @thepilotpicasso, including his recreation of the Mona Lisa.

"Call your family and friends to tell them you love them," McDaniel wrote to Instagram alongside the number for the U.S. Suicide Prevention lifeline.

McDaniel, who was flying a Cessna R182 Skylane RG, spent about five hours and 20 minutes in the air as he completed the giant artwork, according to flight data.