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Flying the Special Olympics Airlift

Precise planning and coordination make for an impressive aerial ballet.

The Special Olympics Airlift is the largest peacetime airlift in the world with an aircraft landing every two minutes. [Courtesy: Dick Karl]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author volunteered his private jet for the Special Olympics Airlift, transporting athletes to the USA Games in Orlando, Florida, as part of a massive, coordinated effort involving over 120 private jets.
  • Despite initial anxieties over logistics, challenging weather conditions, and concerns regarding Florida's vaccine mandate policy, the airlift was efficiently coordinated by Textron Aviation.
  • The experience of flying the athletes was described as awesome, amazing, and uplifting, though the planned return flight was ultimately canceled due to the athletes testing positive for COVID-19.
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A bowling ball can weigh up to 16 pounds. A Bocce ball weighs 2 pounds. Bocce balls come in eight packs, so 16 pounds. Why would you want to know this?

When I signed up at a Citation Jet Pilots (CJP) meeting to provide support for the Special Olympics Airlift in the Cessna CJ1 that my wife, Cathy, and I own, I had no idea that I’d be looking up bowling ball weights.

Dick Karl

Dick Karl is a cancer surgeon who appreciates the beauty and science involved in both surgery and flying. Dick’s monthly Gear Up celebrates the human side of flying. He writes about his enthusiasm for both the machines and the people who fly and maintain them.

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