Corporate and private aircraft participate in the Airlift and are ready for their passengers at Orlando Executive Airport in Florida. Athletes Alexa Akin and Brian Beirne flank their coach Amanda Berdorf in the Citation M2. Beirne returned home exhausted but elated from his gold medal win. an incredible week. The support the Textron Aviation team provides truly makes all the difference, " said Joe Dzaluk, president and CEO of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. Travel is the largest expense for Special Olympics state programs, and the Airlift helps offset these costs by allowing athletes to travel to the games with their gear and teammates. The Airlift took athletes and coaches to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando on June 4 from various airports across the country and returned them home on June 12. 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 in general aviation aircraft. " We do this for the athletes, " said Ron Draper, president and CEO of Textron Aviation. " This is an extraordinary experience for everyone involved and provides an impressive visual of the power of general aviation as well as the philanthropic side of the aviation industry. " Shine As One The games are a full-court press for Textron Aviation employees. From Wichita-based employees serving as greeters and transportation crew to Florida-based Textron employees checking in pilots at FBO Atlantic Aviation, the company's participation in the games is a beloved event. AOPA PILOT / September 2022 61