Plane clash: Strongman, groups move 727s for charity at Yeager Airport
By Kellen Henry Staff writer (Please visit the link above for photos)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Usually, it takes a pilot in the cockpit to get a Boeing 727 rolling down the runway. But Saturday at Yeager Airport, the ground crew took the aircraft for a spin.
Strongman Phil Pfister faced off with a 155,000-pound purple and orange FedEx plane to help raise money for Charleston's Ronald McDonald House. He became the first person to successfully pull a plane alone during this type of charity event.
The Charleston native, who won the Met-Rx World's Strongest Man in 2006, moved the plane steadily down the runway for 15 feet using his own strength, to the delight of spectators and fellow participants.
"I was asked to participate and I thought it was an awesome vehicle to fundraiser for the [Ronald] McDonald House," Pfister said.
High school band members, weightlifters and hospital employees also took on the plane during Saturday's event. Teams of 20 members were given two tries to heave the plane 12 feet down the runway in the shortest amount of time. The teams also competed in a separate heat to see how few team members could move the plane.
The Ronald McDonald House raised $10,000 at the plane pull over the weekend, thanks to event and team sponsors.
The money will support the organization's operating budget so it can continue to provide lodging for families who have a loved one in the hospital, said executive director Dewayne Dickens. The Ronald McDonald House in Charleston has 10 rooms, each housing four people.
The organization plans to make the plane pull an annual fundraiser.
"It's going great. We had a few bumps, but everyone who showed up really enjoyed it," Dickens said.
FedEx provides an aircraft, support crew and equipment for free to a variety of charities around the country so they can host plane pulls as fundraisers. All the proceeds from the event go to the charity, said Tina Rodgers, an air show program manager for FedEx.
Rodgers sounded an air horn at Saturday's event, signaling teams from the YMCA, Charleston's FedEx office, Riverside High School Band Boosters, Jackson Kelly and Charleston Area Medical Center to begin pulling the 125-foot rope.
The pull got off to a slow start when the first two teams strained against the rope, but failed to budge the plane at all. The crew had to bring in equipment to move the plane, because it sat too long during the instruction period and the craft's weight settled onto the tires.
After the adjustment, the FedEx team dug in their heels and budged the plane for the first successful pull.
"Our boss told us not to come back to work Monday unless we won, because our name's on the plane," said Jonathen Lyons, who works for FedEx.
"We're just glad to see FedEx involved in helping the community."
The FedEx team took a third place finish in the event, falling behind the YMCA and CAMC. The YMCA's team of weightlifters hefted the plane 12 feet in 6.392 seconds on their first pull, for the win.
After their pull, the YMCA team members rushed to the clock to check their time and gave teammates enthusiastic high fives. "We just pulled hard and connected together," said Jon McClure, of the YMCA team. "It's for a good cause and that's why we're here."
Dickens said he hopes the community will continue its enthusiasm for the unusual charity event.
Saturday's pull also was a first for Pfister. He said it would be good practice if the city receives permission to include a C-130 cargo plane pull in the 2008 Met-Rx World's Strongest Man competition, to be held in Charleston in September.
After the pull, Pfister posed for pictures and signed autographs for the crowd of spectators and the participants, many still sweating from the exertion.
"So many times, people lose their connection. They push a button to make the window go up and down or do whatever the weight machine has them do," Pfister said. "It's great for people to be physically connected to the world. When they're out here pulling a plane, that's as close as it gets."
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- How's this for bragging rights? "I pulled a 55,000-pound airplane."
The folks who operate and raise money for Charleston's Ronald McDonald House are banking that the challenge will intrigue plenty of folks to come to Yeager Airport Aug. 2 to give it a try - and donate money to the nonprofit organization.
The Plane Pull is a fundraiser organized by the delivery service FedEx, which donates the use of a 727 plane for the event.
"I heard about these plane pulls from other nonprofit organizations," said Dewayne Dickens, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern West Virginia, which operates the Ronald McDonald House in Kanawha City.
"I had to fill out a grant application and turn that in earlier this year to be considered," he said.
Dickens and his board were looking for a different sort of fundraiser to add to their yearly McGala.
"We need to raise $50,000 at a minimum each year through fundraisers," he said.
"The golf outings have been done to death. We needed something different," added.
"This one offers a little bit of everything. You have the team aspect - from what I've heard, it's not necessarily going to be your strongest people who win. It's teamwork."
Already, some corporate sponsors have stepped up, pledging the $1,000 for a 20-person team. They include Charleston Area Medical Center, FedEx and West Virginia American Water.
"Yeager Airport has been incredible no only to set up sponsorship, but in providing logistics and space for the event," Dickens said.
Dow Chemical is providing the sturdy rope that will attach to the front of the 727. Corporate or individual teams are encouraged to join the effort. Besides bragging rights, participants get a T-shirt, trophies and food afterward.
"This also is open to the public to watch," Dickens said. "We'll have family and kid activities like face painting and a Jupiter Jump."
The Plane Pull starts at 10 a.m. Aug. 2. Those interested in participating can call (304) 346-0279 or visit the Web site at
www.charlestonrmhc.com to print out an application. Ronald McDonald House is available for guests or patients of area hospitals who need a low-cost place to stay, nap, rest or shower during a family member's hospital stay. Guests are asked to pay a nominal donation, but the fee can be reduced or waived, as no one is turned away because of inability to pay.
For the latest News @ Full Throttle and additional features visit www.IndyTransponder.com © You may also subscribe for daily automatic E-mail delivery directly to your Inbox!
No comments:
Post a Comment