Cessna, Duncan Aviation and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce were the first to welcome athletes and celebrities for the 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games at the Cessna Citation Airlift on Saturday.
Robert Duncan, chairman emeritus of Duncan Aviation, was the first pilot to register with Cessna for the airlift and piloted the first jet, landing Saturday at 7:28 a.m. He brought in athletes from Columbus, OH., the first of more than 800 athletes who flew in throughout the 10 hour event Saturday. The airlift helps cut costs of the Games for athletes.
Jack Pelton, CEO of Cessna, said the group has been working on this event for two years. More than 160 Citation business jets from 28 different states participated in the airlift, and will be there again to take athletes home July 24. Pelton described it as “almost like an aircraft ballet.”
Harrison Ford piloted a jet with Special Olympic athletes from New Mexico. He spoke to the media briefly after landing, noting the contribution “general aviation” makes to communities across the U.S. Ford served as honorary chairman of the 2010 Cessna Citation Special Olympics Airlift.
Photos by Brittany Guindan
Story by Sierra Frauen
Tags: Cessna airlift, Duncan Aviation, Harrison Ford, jack pelton, Ohio, Photo