Pentastar Aviation Supports 2022 Special Olympics Airlift

Pentastar Aviation is pleased to announce it is supporting the 2022 Special Olympics Airlift by hosting a departure point for the event on Saturday, June 4 and supporting return flights on Sunday, June 12.

The Airlift is a signature community event organized and coordinated by Textron Aviation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, with assistance from Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker owners and operators, industry champions and employee volunteers. Each participating aircraft receives a special Dove call sign that will afford priority treatment in the National Airspace System so the massive Airlift stays on schedule on both transport days – Saturday, June 4, delivering the athletes to Orlando where they will compete in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort and Sunday, June 12, returning the athletes to their home bases.

The outbound flights to this year’s Games in Orlando, Florida, will take off on Saturday, June 4 from locations across the United States. Pentastar Aviation will provide ground handling and flight support services for 4 flights carrying approximately 20 passengers at Oakland County International Airport (KPTK). The return flights are scheduled for Sunday, June 12 where once again Pentastar Aviation will assist Textron Aviation and the athletes.

“We are proud to work with our friends at Textron Aviation in supporting the athletes heading to the Special Olympics. We wish these remarkable athletes the very best in their quest for the gold, and look forward to welcoming them back home,” said Jim Davis, Director of FBO Services at Pentastar Aviation. 

This is the eighth Special Olympics Airlift by Textron Aviation. Since the first Airlift in 1987, nearly 10,000 athletes and coaches from across the United States have been transported to Special Olympics World Games and USA Games.

“Travel is the largest expense for Special Olympics programs, and we are able to help these deserving athletes compete at the highest level thanks to our generous customers who donate the use of their aircraft, pilots and fuel,” said Ron Draper, president and CEO, Textron Aviation. “Not only does the Airlift help offset costs, flying on a business aircraft allows the athletes —many of whom have never flown — to travel to the games hassle-free with their gear and teammates. It’s a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone involved.”

A Cessna Citation, Beechcraft King Air, Beechcraft Premier, Beechjet or Hawker aircraft will land at Orlando Executive Airport every two to three minutes to transport nearly 1,000 athletes and coaches from more than 30 departure locations across the United States. 

Find more information about the Special Olympics Airlift at txtav.com/airlift.

About Textron Aviation
We inspire the journey of flight. For more than 95 years, Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. company, has empowered our collective talent across the Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands to design and deliver the best aviation experience for our customers. With a range that includes everything from business jets, turboprops, and high-performance pistons, to special mission, military trainer and defense products, Textron Aviation has the most versatile and comprehensive aviation product portfolio in the world and a workforce that has produced more than half of all general aviation aircraft worldwide. Customers in more than 170 countries rely on our legendary performance, reliability and versatility, along with our trusted global customer service network, for affordable and flexible flight. For more information, visit www.txtav.com | www.defense.txtav.com | www.scorpionjet.com.