Story ID: 
Special Olympics Volunteer Airlift Seeks 'Strong Finish'
By: Jerry Siebenmark
Caption: This is the eighth time Textron Aviation has organized the Special Olympics airlift.
Word Count: 223
Textron Aviation has registered owners of nearly 150 Beechcraft, Cessna Citation, and Hawker aircraft to transport athletes and coaches to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida, and is looking to add more as the deadline nears. Under the Special Olympics Airlift, which Textron Aviation is organizing, the aircraft, pilots, and fuel are donated by owners of the Wichita-based company’s three brands of business jets and turboprops. The deadline to register is February 28.
“We’ve had a tremendous response to the Special Olympics Airlift from our customers and industry partners so far, and we’re hoping for a strong final push,” said Textron Aviation president and CEO Ron Draper. “The more aircraft we register, the more athletes we can help transport to the games. While this is the eighth Special Olympics organized by the company, it is the first year we’re coordinating the event as Textron Aviation.”
Travel is the largest expense for Special Olympics programs, and the airlift helps offset these costs. Athletes and coaches will travel to Orlando on Saturday, June 4, and return to their homes on Sunday, June 12.
The first airlift was held by Cessna Aircraft in 1987. Since then, the airlift program has transported nearly 10,000 Special Olympics coaches and athletes to the Special Olympics World Games and USA Games.