For the first time in its 27-year history, the Citation Special Olympics Airlift (CSOA) included some King Air 350i aircraft in its fleet. The CSOA has traditionally been open only to owners of Cessna Citation aircraft, but whether it is due to Cessna and Beechcraft becoming family members under Textron Aviation, or a general sense of camaraderie among pilots, the seventh CSOA allowed King Air pilots to participate.
One of the King Air owners to participate was Wheels Up, a private aviation company based in New York. They donated two King Air 350i aircraft and pilots to the cause. According to a quote by Founder and CEO Kenny Dichter in their recent press release, they were proud to be involved with such a special event and assisting in making the dreams of so many young athletes come true. Flying under the call signs of Dove 111 and 113, they flew passengers from the games in Trenton to Morgantown Municipal Airport (MGW) in Morgantown, West Virginia, and Oakland County International (PTK) in Waterford Township, Michigan. No doubt the passengers were treated to all of the luxuries of first class travel enjoyed by the company’s customers, a NewJersey.com article describes the event. As each plane made its landing at Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN), departing passengers were greeted with a red carpet, cheering fans, performers and all of the revelry that surrounds world-class athletes. About a third of the 3,500 athletes competing in the Special Olympics were part of the Airlift. Rhonda Fullerton, director of the CSOA said,
“Nothing beats the athlete’s face when he gets off that plane. That’s what joy is. That’s why we’re here.”
Cessna has organized and sponsored the Citation Special Olympics Airlift since 1987, when more than 130 Citation jets ferried almost 1,000 athletes and coaches to South Bend, Indiana. The previous airlift in 2010 gave 832 Special Olympic athletes and their coaches rides to Lincoln, Nebraska. The CSOA has been called the largest peacetime airlift in the world.