Cessna Announces 2006 Citation Special Olympics Airlift to Iowa
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
SPRING 2006 Cessna announces 2006 Citation States and transportation is the biggest Special Olympics Airlift to Iowa expense each state has to bear. To be able to get the athletes to Ames to participate essna Aircraft Company is busy Citation jets will depart for and in such a cost-effective way for our planning the logistics for its fifth Des Moines International Airport on July 1 programs and to do it in a way that gives CCitation Special Olympics Airlift from approximately 35 states. A Special them an experience beyond the Games to support the 2006 Special Olympics Olympics Citation will land or take off themselves is simply fantastic. A lot of National Games being held in Ames July every 30-60 seconds during a our athletes have never been on an 2-7, 2006. 12-hour period. After the conclusion of the airplane and to be a passenger on a Marilyn Richwine, vice-president of National Games, the Special Olympics private jet, that is an opportunity that corporate communications for Cessna Citation fleet will return to Des Moines most people never get. For many, the Aircraft Company, spoke at the Iowa July 8 to pick up the athletes and return flights will be the absolute highlight of Aviation Conference in November and them to their homes. Each Citation will their Special Olympics experience.” reported that corporate and individual transport four to seven athletes plus one “The success of the Citation Special Cessna business jet owners and operators coach or sponsor. Olympics Airlift depends on the collabo- will donate 400 Citation business jets, According to Bruce Pasternack, ration and tremendous support we pilots, and fuel to transport more than President and CEO of Special Olympics, receive from individuals within Cessna, 2,500 athletes and coaches from across Inc., “The Airlift is absolutely essential to the FAA, on-site airport officials, local the nation to the 2006 Special Olympics the success of the Games. We have a lot of fixed base operators, hundreds of National Games. athletes coming from all over the United volunteers from the community, the Special Olympics organization, and most importantly, Citation owners and operators,” said Jack Pelton, Chairman, President and CEO of Cessna. “Without each of these groups donating their time and resources, we would never be able to stage this type of event. And, everyone would agree that all the work leads up to that moment when a Citation door opens and an athlete steps out smiling from ear- to-ear.” More information on the Special Olympics program is available online at www.specialolympics.org. Go to page 3 to find out how you can help make this event a success. The Citation Special Olympics Airlift will use donated aircraft, such as this Cessna Citation CJ2, to transport more than 2,500 athletes and coaches from 35 states to the Des Moines International Airport in July 2006. Director’s Corner Michelle McEnany, Office of Aviation Director This is the first Legislators are back at the state However, the President’s 2007 edition of the Iowa capitol for the 2006 session. The Office of proposed budget significantly cuts Aviation Bulletin Aviation was asked to present to the Joint aviation funding by proposing a funding since last summer. Transportation, Infrastructure, and level nearly $1 billion below the autho- Much has happened since then and we Capitals Appropriations Subcommittee in rized level of $3.7 billion. Under the have a lot of news to report on issues a meeting at the State Capitol Feb. 2. It is proposed cuts, all non-primary entitle- affecting aviation. a great sign when legislators ask to be ments to general aviation airports would First, I would like to say what a educated on Iowa’s air transportation be eliminated and primary entitlements to pleasure it was to host my peers in Des system, aviation needs, and funding the commercial service airports would be Moines in September. State aviation issues. A copy of the presentation is cut in half. Passenger air service at directors from across the country made available on our Web site at iawings.com. Burlington, Fort Dodge, and Mason City the trek to Des Moines for the 74th The good news is that aviation supported by the Essential Air Service annual National Association of State funding is a hot topic. However, the program could be significantly affected as Aviation Officials (NASAO) Tradeshow legislature is also taking a close look at well. and Convention. It was the first time in eminent domain laws. Some of the In addition, the administration is the history of NASAO that they have held proposed legislation includes language expected to propose a new cost-based their annual event in Iowa. that limits the ability to build and expand financing system for the FAA this spring There are many to thank for helping airports. We will continue to watch this that will likely include user fees. The pull off a terrific event, but I would debate, and the Iowa Public Airports issue is receiving a lot of attention in the especially like to thank the Des Moines Association (IPAA) has been very active aviation community. Some are concerned Convention and Visitors Bureau for in voicing concerns about any legislation that it will create an administrative helping us set Des Moines as the site for that could limit the capacity and safety of nightmare and will actually reduce the the event, the NASAO staff for their the airport system in Iowa. safety of the air transportation system. convention coordination, the Ankeny The Airports Day on the Hill event at The administration and Congress are Regional Airport and Exec 1 aviation for the State Capitol was March 8. The event gearing up for discussions this year on the hosting the Monday night social event, was a chance for the aviation community reauthorization program that will take the Des Moines International Airport for to voice their issues and concerns with effect in 2008. This will be an important facilitating the hundreds of people that state legislators. IPAA organized the discussion as it will affect aviation traveled to Des Moines, and Congressman event and representatives from the funding for the next 3-6 years when it Leonard Boswell for participating in the National Business Aviation Association takes effect. event. (NBAA) and the Aircraft Owners and This will prove to be a very busy We had another very successful Iowa Pilots Association (AOPA) were in spring. Our office will continue to send Aviation Conference in November, attendance as well. you “Hot News” E-mails as we learn of partnering again with the Iowa Public On the federal front, the 2006 budget developments affecting aviation. This Airports Association. With more than for the Airport Improvement Program provides everyone an opportunity to 200 attendees representing over 50 (AIP) has been approved at more than learn the issues and get involved. Each of airports, it couldn’t help but be a great $3.5 billion, which is very close to the you can play an important role in main- conference. The conference is the best authorized amount under the Vision 100 taining and developing our air transporta- opportunity for all of us to get together legislation that runs through 2007. tion to keep it safe and viable! and discuss the issues facing aviation. By bringing together all the stakeholders in aviation, we are able to learn from each other and help advance our air transporta- tion system collectively in a coordinated effort. 2 SPRING 2006 IOWA AVIATION BULLETIN In Memory Nancy Richardson named Harold “Harry” Miller, new director for the DOT 57, died Nov. 8 overnor Vilsack has appointed of injuries Nancy Richardson as the new sustained when Gdirector of the Iowa DOT. Nancy the plane in has been with the DOT since 1982, which he was a serving most recently as director of the passenger Operations and Finance Division. crashed near the Governor Vilsack says, “Nancy has a Ankeny airport. thorough understanding of the DOT and Miller Miller, who its operations, and will be a source of worked in the stable leadership during the remainder of DOT’s Aeronautics Division, Air and the Vilsack/Pederson Administration.” Transit Division, and Office of Air and Many of our readers may remember Richardson Transit from 1970 to June 2000, was when Nancy was director of the Air and employed by Snyder and Associates at the Transit Division. As such, she has a time of the crash. strong background in and awareness of He had remained in contact with many aviation issues. We look forward to of his former DOT co-workers and he will working with Nancy in her new role and be greatly missed. Miller is survived by offer congratulations on her appointment his wife, Linda, of Des Moines, three as director of the Iowa DOT! daughters, one son, three grandchildren and many other family members and friends. Volunteers needed for the Special Olympics Airlift How can you help? If you would like to volunteer: Volunteers are being sought for baggage handling, communications, driving, hospitality, security and more. Volunteers with experience in aviation are especially needed. If you are interested in volunteering, call the Office of Aviation at 515-239-1875. We will mail you a volunteer form that can be mailed directly to Cessna Aircraft Company. To volunteer a Citation Jet: Next summer’s airlift will be the largest Citation Airlift ever. More than 140 corporations and individual Citation owners and operators have already volunteered their Citation business jets, pilots, and fuel to transport athletes and coaches to the Games. According to Cessna, more Citations are still needed and efforts are ongoing to secure those aircraft.