Plane Pull History Traced to Virginia

In 1992, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority law enforcement officers raised money for Special Olympics in Virginia by competing to see who could pull a 150,000-pound Boeing 727 cargo plane 12 feet the fastest.

That first plane pull gave birth to a growing phenomenon that today has stretched very nearly nationwide and has the potential to reach worldwide.

That first year 11 teams of 20 went out to the Washington Dulles International Airport to participate in the first ever plane pull. The event raised almost $15,000. News of the unique fund raiser spread as the Dulles event grew in popularity and donations each year.

$1 million Raised
Today, 16 years later, similar plane pulls are held in Colorado, Maryland, Hawaii, Tennessee and Texas. Director of Development for Special Olympics Virginia, Michelle Gates said the competition has gotten so big that last year’s nation-wide recap of dollars raised totaled $500,000. “Plane Pulls have now raised more than $1 million since the first one here in Virginia in 1992,” she said.

At Dulles, trophies are given to the 20-person teams that raise the most money, according to Gates.

“The minimum amount teams are required to contribute is $1000,” she said. “Last year, of the 71 participating teams, one team received an award for their contribution of $20,000.”

The event at Dulles has grown to include a festival.

“The other activities that now accompany the plane pull just sprouted up around the competition,” said Gates. “The airport essentially hosts an open house and people are able to walk right up to military and civilian aircraft and even climb in the cock pits. They have exhibitor areas, games, rides in the Kids Corner, live music, concessions and even a school bus pull for kids.”

It takes a good bit of coordination from various parties to make the event successful explained Gates. “So far everyone has been happy to get involved and raise awareness for the Special Olympians.

Dulles- Washington Airport operations plays an essential role in the success of the event each year. They take care of all of the logistics. They do the setup, they provide the security, on-site fire and rescue, and the food, explained Gates.

Federal Express provides the planes, support and employees. Not only does Fed Ex not receive any monetary compensation for their efforts, but the company does not seek to gain undue recognition or advertisement from the event. Fedex Air Show Program Manager Tina Rodgers said the only objective of Federal Express is to help the various charities to solicit donations.

“We don’t want the publicity. From the beginning we have asked that Special Olympics Virginia not make a big deal out of our contribution to the event,” said Rodgers. “The important thing is for us to help the various charities achieve their objectives.”

Of course muscle men are welcome, but you don’t have to be a big beefy guy to partake in the pulling. Dulles International Airport has witnessed its fair share of puny pullers including a high school cheerleading team.

“They may not be the fastest, but they can still pull,” said Gates.

Who would have dreamed that the idea of getting people to heave enormous cargo planes would take flight and soar as a major fund raising venture throughout the country and eventually perhaps even throughout the entire world?