As Special Olympics Airlift Prep Continues, Lucky Participant Gets to Be Dove 1

Textron Aviation has announced that bottling company Coca-Cola Consolidated has received the Special Olympics Airlift's premier call sign, "Dove 1" for their flight next June. 

The Airlift is a project closely intertwined with Textron, frequently assisting in organizing and collating a wide variety of private owners and operators willing to lend their aircraft, services, and time to take competitors to the Special Olympics. It's no easy feat to choreograph a variety of aircraft, creating a roster of departures and runway assignments for Airlift participants. The ferry flights will take place on June 4, with the return on June 12 as the athletes are taken home, hopefully with some gold in tow.

“An aircraft will take off or land approximately every two minutes during the Airlift. It is truly a team effort that starts with the generosity of our Citation, Beechcraft and Hawker customers,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior VP of sales and flight ops at Textron. “Coca-Cola Consolidated is an ideal customer to serve as Dove 1, representing the nearly 175 aircraft owners who have stepped up to give these Special Olympics athletes an unforgettable lift to the USA Games. It is a company that has a long history of supporting Special Olympics athletes across its territories, in addition to being a faithful supporter of the Airlift throughout the years.” 

The bottling company is proud to assist, according to Kimberly Kuo, an executive at Coca Cola Consolidated. “It’s an enormous honor for Coca-Cola Consolidated to be named Dove 1 in the Special Olympics Airlift. Our involvement with the Airlift supports our Purpose and Values — which include a deep commitment to serving others. We feel blessed to be leading this convoy of aircraft to deliver Special Olympics athletes to the USA Games.” 

FMI: www.txtav.com, www.2022specialolympicsusagames.org