Press Releases

News Release - Baton Rouge, LA –For Immediate Release, October 23, 2017

Great weather and one the best turnouts made for a successful 10th Annual Plane Pull Fundraiser for ARC Baton Rouge at BTR this past Saturday. Teams of 25 people competed to pull a FedEx 757 jet, weighing 147,000 pounds and estimated at around 189,000 pounds with the fuel on board, for a distance of 12 feet. Net proceeds generated from the event will go to fund therapy and special instruction for intellectually-disabled babies and children 0-3 years old in eight area parishes. The ARC Baton Rouge serves children and adults with intellectual and development disabilities in the Greater Baton Rouge Area.

A total of 23 teams competed, and the ARC Baton Rouge estimates that approximately $40,000 net was raised. Awards were given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Fastest Pull Time, Slowest Pull Time and Most Spirited Team. ITI Technical College's Team #2 (of four ITI teams) won the competition, pulling the plane its required 12 feet in 6.45 seconds; ITI Team #4 was second in 6.47 seconds; and Sparkhound Foundation's team was third, in 6.68 seconds.

Thanks to the Greater Baton Rouge Area Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 244 pilots for flying their aircraft to BTR for the Plane Pull and displaying them!

About BTR

The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport is served by the major, network airlines – American, Delta, and United – with hub flights that provide access to destinations worldwide. While the airport is a major economic generator for the Baton Rouge area, it is administered as an Enterprise Fund, generating its own revenues for operations as opposed to receiving local tax funds.