Your questions answered here!

Is the Event Rain or Shine?
Yes.  Please check the main page of the website as we near event date if you have a question on the weather.

What IS the actual Plane Pull?
The pull is a fun team competition to see which group can pull a cargo jet the fastest.  Teams are made up of 25 members, who all line up adjacent to a huge rope attached to the aircraft.  The starter signals when to start and starts the stopwatch.  After the team pulls the aircraft 12 feet, the stopwatch stops and the elapsed time is recorded as the team score.  Each team is then weighed (as a group) and assembles to have their team photo taken.
 
Who can participate?
The Plane Pull is a team competition, so gather 25 of your co-workers, friends or family.  The pull is open to corporate groups, service organizations, churches and school groups – anyone who can organize a group and get people motivated to try something new and fun!

How many teams participate?
11 teams participated in the first Plane Pull in 1992
60 teams participated in 2009.

What is the minimum donation & how will our team be recognized?
Teams contribute a minimum of $1000, or $40 per team member.  Many corporate groups are sponsored by their companies, and/or team members raise pledges to cover the team fee and win incentives based on how much money they raise.

• Each team member receives a customized team t-shirt with their team name or company logo on the back
• Teams receive a plaque and have a team photo taken at the event
• Teams are listed on the event website and receive recognition in promotional material
  

There are also sponsorship opportunities that can give your group or organization the chance to become an event partner and receive a host of promotional and hospitality benefits.

When, Where & What Time is the Plane Pull?
The Plane Pull will be held Saturday, September 25, 2010 at Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia.  The competition and surrounding festival take place on the tarmac behind cargo buildings 5 & 6, with ample free parking on the airport grounds (shuttle busses transport people between parking and the festival entrance).

The festival area opens at 11:00 am with the actual pulls occurring between 11:30 am and 3:30 pm. The event is rain or shine, however a severe weather date of September 26th is set in case of hurricane conditions.

Can we find out what time our team will be pulling?
Your team will be assigned a number upon registration, which will correlate with the order in which teams are called to pull.  Your team can choose to pull earlier or later in the day to accommodate the schedules of team members, but we won’t be able to tell you exactly what time you’ll be pulling.

What about bringing my family, friends and pets to cheer me on?
Bring your family, friends and co-workers to see you pull, but please leave pets at home.  Animals are not allowed on the tarmac, and don’t appreciate the loud airplane noises anyway (the plane pull site is adjacent to an operating runway).  

The Plane Pull is open to the public with free admission, and there’s plenty for everyone to do at the festival which surrounds the competition.  

Is there lodging nearby for people coming from out of town?  Yes, the event hotel partners are the Washington Dulles Marriott, right on the airport grounds and the Westin Washington Dulles Airport just a short distance away. 

The Marriot is offering a special discounted rate of $79 per night for event participants and attendees.  Call the hotel directly at 703-471-9500 and mention Special Olympics and the Dulles Day Plane Pull.      

The Westin is offering a special Plane Pull package starting at $79 plus tax per night.  This package includes free transportation to and from the event plus a $20 credit for use in the on site restaurant and Bar, Padella.  Call the hotel directly at 1-866-360-5697 and mention code PPULLP.