Textron Aviation Calls Pilots to Action for Special Olympics Airlift

The event supports the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida.

Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 11:06 AM ET

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Textron Aviation president & CEO Ron Draper (pictured third from left) with Special Olympics Kansas athletes. Courtesy: Textron Aviation

Key Takeaways:

Textron Aviation is organizing its Special Olympics Airlift (SOA) to transport over 4,000 athletes and coaches to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida.
The event calls for 228 donated Cessna Citation, Beechcraft King Air, Premier, Beechjet, and Hawker aircraft and crews by February 28, 2022, to provide transport on June 4 and June 12.
As of early 2022, 129 aircraft were registered, with 99 more still needed to meet the goal.
Peyton Manning serves as honorary chairman for this long-running initiative, which has transported nearly 10,000 participants since its inception in 1987.

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Textron Aviation recently announced its signature industry event—the Special Olympics Airlift (SOA)—including a call to Cessna Citation, Beechcraft King Air, Beechcraft Premier, Beechjet, and Hawker pilots, owners, and operators to help transport the more than 4,000 athletes and coaches who are expected to participate in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida.

The company hopes to secure 228 donated aircraft and crews by February 28, 2022, to help transport participants from all over the U.S to Orlando on June 4, 2022, and return them to their home bases on June 12, 2022.