Challenge your strength with the Great Aircraft Pull!

Friday 25 May 2018

People power will replace propellers when teams battle it out in this summer’s 'Great Aircraft Pull', a charity event to help celebrate Aurigny’s 50th anniversary.

The airline is teaming up with two charities; Channel Islands Air Search and Friends of Sri Lanka, to host the test of strength, to pull a 13.5 tonne ATR-72 aircraft across the tarmac at Guernsey Airport.

Aurigny said it was looking for teams to step forward and register to take part in the event, due to be held on the evening of Saturday 23 June.

The airline's PR manager Paul Ainsworth said both charities approached Aurigny with the idea of a 'Great Aircraft Pull'.

“Straight away we wanted to make this possible. It sounded like such a unique and fun event to be involved in and something completely different for the island. How often can say you’ve got the chance to pull a turboprop aircraft," he said.

“We’re now looking for teams who are up for the challenge and think they have the muscle power to move an aircraft across the finish line in the quickest time. This is Guernsey’s ultimate test of strength and teamwork. You’ll all need to be working together to shift 13.5 tonnes of aircraft.” 

Graham and Nicky Queripel, founders of Friends of Sri Lanka, thanked Aurigny and everyone who had helped to make this unique event possible: “We are delighted to be part of Aurigny's 50th anniversary and team up with Channel Islands Air Search to raise much needed funds for both charities in this unique fundraising event.”

David Hugo of the Guernsey Friends of Air Search added: "We are very pleased to have been chosen alongside Friends of Sri Lanka as one of the charities to benefit from the funds raised through the aircraft pull and are very grateful to the team at Aurigny and the many other companies and organisations who have made this exciting event possible."

While similar events have taken place in the past - for example in January 1988 when a team of 60 from a local running club pulled a 'Whisper Jet' on Guernsey Airport's runway to raise funds for CIAS - the organisers believe this is the first local aircraft pull for several years.

The event is being held between 21:00 and midnight on 23 June and there is space for 12 teams (each made up of 10 people) to compete in the aircraft pull.

Teams can apply to take part and Aurigny will also accept individual applications for people interested in joining a team. Each team member is asked to pay an entry fee of £15 and the airline is also looking for teams to collect sponsorship. 

The closing date for entries is 3 June. If there are more than 12 teams, places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, with a reserve list in case any teams have to withdraw.

To register an interest in taking part, email greataircraftpull@gmail.com