Annual Airport Open House Benefiting Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities
Dulles Day, featuring the Plane Pull takes place Saturday, September 13 on the cargo apron of Dulles International Airport. The event benefits Special Olympics Virginia and is sponsored by the Airports Authority Police Department. Dulles Day is free of charge and open to the public. This open house is on the airfield and is expected to attract more than 12,000 attendees. Travelers flying that day should plan ahead and allow extra time when navigating airport roads and parking facilities.
Since 1992, the Plane Pull remains the signature event of the day. Teams of 25 will compete to pull an 82-ton aircraft a distance of 12 feet in the shortest time. This year, FedEx will supply a cargo plane, while United Airlines will showcase a passenger jet. Over its 34-year history, the Plane Pull has raised nearly $5.5 million in support of Special Olympics Virginia, benefiting more than 20,000 athletes across the state.
To avoid delays, using Metrorail is strongly encouraged. The Silver Line will take you directly to the airport and shuttles will take you to the front gate. Are you new to riding the Metro? Here are some tips for new riders. Avoid airport traffic by parking at a Metro station nearby and taking the train to the event.
Parking and admission are Free. Follow signs to event parking when approaching the airport.
The event's activities include:
- Fire truck and mobile lounge rides (with cash donation)
- Music performances
- Kids truck pull (with cash donation) and play area
- Classic car show
- Static Aircraft displays
- The famous Dulles Day Plane Pull
- Equipment Displays By Airports Authority Police, Fire and Rescue
- Community Exhibitors including food and beverage
The aircraft static display will include:
- Bi-wing aircraft (5)
- Corsair FG-1D
- Cessna Sky Wagon Floatplane
- Remos Light Sport
- Cessna 172
- F-24
- TBM
- PT-19
- L-5
- Fuji
- T-6
- L-39
- C-17 (2)
- F-16
- T-6A Texan II (2)
All proceeds go to Special Olympics Virginia.
Interested in registering a team for the Plane Pull? Visit Special Olympics Virginia for details.
All attendees will be screened upon entry. Prohibited inside the gates: Backpacks, bags larger than 5x7 inches, luggage, outside food or drinks or animals (except service animals). In addition, no weapons of any kind are allowed unless you are an officer in uniform. Bags for child care or medical care purposes are allowed, but will be searched. Other bags that don't meet these criteria must be clear or smaller than 5x7 inches. Attendees are encouraged to bring sunglasses, hats, appropriate clothing for weather, money and work/gardening gloves if registered for pull plane activities. Empty water bottles are allowed into the event.
The 2025 event map is attached below.
