Banshee launch

Banshee Launching is a method to get out of Campaign or Multiplayer maps.

Rocket Launcher Walkthrough
Firstly, grab a Banshee and a Rocket Launcher, and flip the Banshee onto its back (do not flip it back onto its front). Then, stand on the tip of the wing of the banshee that is on the floor, aim the Rocket Launcher at the tip of the wing that is in the air and fire. The rocket will explode pushing the opposite wing tip down and your wing up. This will propel you into the air, sending you so high that you can see over the boundaries of some levels. The Fuel Rod Cannon is also an alternative for the Rocket Launcher on single player campaign (you may hit an invisible ceiling for example on Containment). Sometimes you may slip off of the wing, if so walk up to where the wing meets the body and let yourself slide down and the gravity pod will stop you from falling off.

Note: You do not need an Overshield to do this. However, if you do not have an Overshield, you must stand on the very tip of the wing or you will be killed by the explosion.

Note: This can also be done with those black shields on Relic and Turf. Overshield required.

Grenade Walkthrough
First, grab a banshee and some Grenades, and flip the Banshee onto its back (do not flip it back onto its front). Then, stand on the tip of the wing of the Banshee that is on the floor, throw the grenade at the tip of the wing that is in the air and fire. The grenade will explode pushing the opposite wing tip down and your wing up. This will propel you into the air, sending you so high that you can see over the boundaries of some levels. (It works better with a plasma grenade as it sticks to the wingtip).

Note: It works better on Halo 2.

Note: You MUST have an overshield on.

Hammer Variant
Do the usual flipping procedure, then slam on the far wing with a Gravity Hammer. This sends you about as far as the grenade launch but is easier and doesn't require Overshield.

Extra Tip
To get super high off of maps, get into a Banshee and ascend to someplace above ground level (IE: The huge ledge on Headlong that looks like it should be out of the map but isn't) and do the Rocket Banshee Launch from there.

Halo 3
Most of these methods were, sadly, disabled in Halo 3. Bungie must have decided to take it out of the game for unknown reasons, perhaps for balance. There is one other way the Banshee Launch can be performed. Position the Banshee so that only the tips of the wings are touching the ground. Jump onto one of the banshees wings until you are on the bigger of the two rods, and stick the tip of the wing you are standing on with a plasma grenade. If performed properly, you will be launched incredibly high up. You MUST have an overshield for this to work.

Halo 1
In Halo 1, the Banshee model is very different, and Sticking or Shooting the higher wing does not provide a very high launch. However, with 500% Shields thanks to Gametypes or an overshield, you can manage a different but still great launch. Starting with the banshee flipped upside-down like in the other launches, simply PFR under the lower wing in the hole between the two bars that form the wing. If timed correctly, the launch has enough power to launch the player up to the hieght of the cieling of Blood Gulch. This has already been accomplished many times.