When it comes to fall traditions, pulling a giant plane ranks right up there with watching football and picking apples — at least for the 16 teams (five more than in 2024!) that participated in Wings of Hope’s 3rd Annual Pulling for Hope on Oct. 4, 2025. Each team raised a minimum of $1,000 for two tries to clock their fastest time pulling a 25-ton Gulfstream III jet 60 feet across the taxiway outside the Wings of Hope hangar. The competition was fierce, with less than a second separating the top five teams. Team Moneta came in first at 15.09 seconds, followed by the AVMATS Afterburners at 15.13 seconds, and Garmin at a speedy 15.28 seconds.

“This year’s Pulling for Hope was incredible,” said Brittni Snidle, Wings of Hope’s Director of Development and Communications. “We had 16 teams giving it their all in friendly competition, and it was amazing to see so many families, friends, and community members come out to cheer them on. The energy was nonstop — from the music and food trucks to the kids’ activities and the excitement of each plane pull. It was truly a day of fun, teamwork, and community spirit — all in support of Wings of Hope’s mission to change and save lives through the power of aviation.”

We’re grateful to all who made this third annual event a success including our generous sponsors: Dierbergs, Fabick Rents, Moneta, Secure Data Technologies, Garmin, Husch Blackwell, AERO Charter, St. Luke’s, SFW Gives Back, Amy Cole Buehler, Simmons Bank, UHY, West Star Aviation, and Spirit of St. Louis Airport.