By Janice Wood
For the next two Saturdays in Lincoln, Nebraska, a Cessna Citation business jet will land or take off every two minutes for 10 hours as part of the Special Olympics USA National Games, transporting some 800 athletes from around the country. The airlift, the sixth such quadrennial effort, is sponsored and managed by Cessna Aircraft Co.
“For these world-class athletes, the airlift is their only means of transportation and the only way for them to have the opportunity to compete as world-class athletes,” said Charles Cooper, president and CEO of the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games. “Arriving and departing on Cessna Citations is one of the most exciting experiences these athletes will have during the week of the games.”
More than a year of planning has been done by hundreds of individuals at Cessna, the FAA, Lincoln Municipal Airport, Lincoln FBOs, volunteers from the Lincoln business community and the Special Olympics organization, said Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton.
“None of this would be possible without the time, resources and philanthropic spirit of these individuals as well as the Citation owners and operators who donated their airplanes, pilots and fuel to transport athletes and coaches to the USA National Games,” Pelton said. “Because of the generous contributions from our Citation customers, more athletes can participate and they arrive rested and ready to compete in their events. From all of us involved with the airlift, we wish these athletes the best of luck in their competition.”
Source: GENERAL AVIATION NEWS
Date: 2010-07-15