Textron Aviation Seeks Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker Owners for 2026 Special Olympics Flights
Textron Aviation Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc. has announced the launch of the ninth Special Olympics Airlift, a remarkable national volunteer effort aimed at transporting hundreds of Special Olympics athletes and their coaches to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, set to take place in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. The Airlift is a demonstration of the power of community, aviation, and corporate responsibility, coming together to remove barriers and make participation possible for athletes with intellectual disabilities from across the United States.
Set for Friday, June 19, 2026, and Saturday, June 27, 2026, the airlift will mobilize a fleet of volunteer aircraft to fly athletes into and out of St. Paul Downtown Airport – Holman Field (KSTP). Textron Aviation is calling on its loyal network of Cessna, Beechcraft, and Hawker aircraft owners and operators to join this powerful initiative and lend their aircraft, time, and skills in service of an unforgettable cause.
An Ambitious and Inspiring Mission
“The Airlift is more than just a flight; it’s about giving these champions the chance to shine and achieve their dreams on a national stage,” said Ron Draper, President & CEO of Textron Aviation. “Seeing the excitement and anticipation on the athletes’ faces as they embark on their journey to and from the Games is incredibly moving. We need our Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker customers to join us in this heartfelt mission, volunteering their aircraft and time to make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of these athletes and their families.”
The Special Olympics Airlift, first launched in 1987, is one of the largest peacetime airlifts in the world. The initiative unites corporate pilots, private owners, and aviation enthusiasts in a shared goal—to provide a first-class, all-volunteer travel experience for the competitors of the Special Olympics. Each aircraft participating in the airlift is assigned a unique call sign starting with “Dove,” symbolizing peace, unity, and hope. On the days of the Airlift, Doves are scheduled to arrive or depart every three minutes over a span of 10 hours, creating a coordinated stream of humanitarian aviation activity.
Creating Access Through Aviation
For many of the athletes and families involved, the cost and complexity of long-distance travel can be a prohibitive obstacle. These individuals often face additional challenges, including limited access to financial resources and support systems capable of organizing air transportation. The Airlift ensures that these obstacles do not stand in the way of participation. By eliminating logistical and financial burdens, Textron Aviation and its partners are offering every athlete the opportunity to attend the Games and compete at the highest level.
Participating aircraft will include:
- Cessna Citation jets
- Beechcraft King Air turboprops
- Beechcraft Beechjet and Premier jets
- Hawker jets
Textron Aviation is currently seeking volunteers from all 50 states to contribute aircraft and flight crews. The company emphasizes that the experience is often just as transformative for volunteers as it is for the athletes.
A Legacy of Support and Inclusion
The 2026 Airlift continues a tradition that spans nearly four decades. Since 1987, more than 10,000 athletes and coaches have been flown to Special Olympics events through this program. The initiative began as a grassroots effort and has evolved into a nationally coordinated operation involving hundreds of aircraft, volunteer pilots, and support staff.
Each Airlift represents months of logistical planning and coordination, often in partnership with federal agencies and local organizations. For the 2026 event, Textron Aviation is working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Minneapolis Saint Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission, Signature Aviation, the Special Olympics USA Games Local Organizing Committee, and Special Olympics North America to ensure a seamless and safe operation.
Behind the Scenes: Coordinating the Airlift
Executing the Airlift on such a grand scale requires military-grade logistics and precision coordination. From aligning airport slot times and handling ground logistics, to ensuring athletes are safely matched with their designated aircraft, every detail is meticulously managed.
The coordination team collaborates with local airport authorities to temporarily prioritize Dove flights, adjusting traffic control protocols to accommodate the tightly timed arrivals and departures. Volunteers on the ground at KSTP provide hospitality, wheelchair assistance, luggage handling, and emotional support to athletes and their families.
Each participating aircraft is required to comply with FAA safety standards and operational protocols. Pilots undergo thorough briefings and receive customized flight itineraries to streamline routing and minimize delays.
A Transformative Experience for All
For the athletes, many of whom have never flown on a private aircraft, the Airlift is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The journey itself becomes a celebrated part of their Special Olympics story. Pilots often decorate their cabins, play music, and share in the pre-competition excitement with their passengers. In many cases, strong bonds are formed between athletes and their volunteer pilots, with relationships that extend far beyond the duration of the Games.
“This is the highlight of my year,” said a volunteer pilot who has participated in multiple airlifts. “It’s about more than just flying—it’s about showing these athletes they are valued, supported, and celebrated.”
Athletes echo this sentiment. One past participant described the experience as “the moment I realized the world was cheering for me.”
The Bigger Picture: Supporting a Movement
The Airlift is part of a broader commitment by Textron Aviation to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within the communities it serves. Through initiatives like the Airlift, Textron Aviation extends its corporate citizenship to the skies, using its aviation expertise to foster inclusion and empower underrepresented individuals.
The Special Olympics USA Games are more than just an athletic competition—they are a movement for acceptance and understanding. With over 4 million athletes globally, Special Olympics fosters inclusive communities through sport, health, education, and leadership programs.
The 2026 USA Games in Minnesota are expected to host thousands of athletes from across the nation, competing in a wide range of sports, from track and field and swimming to basketball and gymnastics. The event promotes awareness and challenges outdated stereotypes, creating a powerful platform for change.
How to Get Involved
Textron Aviation urges aircraft owners, pilots, and corporate flight departments to consider joining the Airlift and being part of something truly Textron Aviation meaningful. Those interested can visit the official Special Olympics Airlift website to register their aircraft, review participation requirements, and access planning materials.
The company also welcomes donations and sponsorships from organizations that want to support fuel, lodging, or maintenance costs for participating volunteers. Every contribution, whether airborne or ground-based, plays a critical role in making the event possible.
A National Effort Worth Celebrating
In an era marked by division and distraction, the Special Olympics Airlift stands out as a beacon of unity, compassion, and possibility. It reminds us that aviation can be a tool for inclusion, and that even the most complex logistical efforts can be mobilized in the name of human dignity and joy.
Textron Aviation’s unwavering commitment to the Special Olympics Airlift is a testament to what can happen when an industry comes Textron Aviation together in the service of others—not for profit, not for publicity, but for purpose.
As the countdown to the 2026 Games begins, so too does the countdown to one of the most inspiring volunteer aviation events in the world. The skies over Minnesota will be filled with more than planes—they’ll be filled with dreams taking flight.