One Of The Largest Peacetime Airlifts Ever
Next week, one of the largest peacetime airlifts in history will
transport 1,800 athletes to participate in the Special Olympics US
National Games in Ames, IA from July 2-7. It's the Cessna Citation
Special Olympics Airlift... and on July 1st and the 8th, 237
Citation business jets will land or take off every 60 to 90 seconds
for 12 hours at the Des Moines International Airport.
"The wonderful experience the athletes have riding on a business
jet is incalculable," said Priscilla Dowse, executive director of
the Special Olympics Wyoming delegation. "In addition, our expenses
for the 2006 National Games have been cut in half through the
generosity of Citation owners. By providing this service, more
athletes could participate in the national games, allowing us to
expand our state program."
More than a year and a half of planning has been done by
hundreds of individuals at Cessna, the Federal Aviation
Administration, Des Moines International Airport officials, Des
Moines fixed-base operators, volunteers from the Des Moines
business community, and the Special Olympics organization, said
Cessna Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Jack
Pelton.
"Without each of these
groups donating time and resources, we would never be able to stage
this type of event," Pelton said. "All this work leads up to that
moment when a Citation door opens and an athlete steps out smiling
from ear to ear. They are excited, not only because they are about
to compete in events they've been practicing for months, but also
for many athletes this will be their first airplane ride - and
having that first ride on a Citation business jet is an
exhilarating experience."
Airplanes will depart from 28 states and 39 departure points
across the nation, arriving in Des Moines at set intervals starting
at 7 am and ending at 6:45 pm. This will make Des Moines
International Airport one of the busiest airports in the country
that day.
As Aero-News reported during
last year's NBAA Conference in Orlando, a very well-known Citation
pilot, Arnold Palmer (we hear he plays a little golf, too --
Ed.) made an appeal for Citation owners to donate their time
and their planes to the cause.
While the number of Citations participating in this year's
airlift falls short of Cessna's announced goal of 400 planes... you
have to admit, 237 is still a pretty impressive number.
"None of this would be possible without the philanthropic spirit
of the 237 Citation owners and operators who donated their
airplanes, pilots and fuel to transport athletes and coaches to the
National Games," Pelton said. "Because of this generous
contribution, the athletes arrive rested and ready to participate
in their events. From all of us involved with the Airlift, we wish
these athletes the best of luck in their competition. We are proud
to play a part in the first Special Olympics US National Games in
Ames."