Citation Special Olympics Airlift newsletter Oct 2009

AIRLIfT

CITaT ION SPeCIaL OLYMPICS aIRLIf T / OC TOBeR 2009

nsIder

How to volunteer for the 2010 Airlift

An Update from the CSOA Director

Airlift logistics well underway

october.2009

Registration for the Citation Special Olympics Airlift is simple

CITaTION SPeCIaL OLYMPICS aIRLIfT 2010

and exclusively online at www.airlift.cessna.com.

For the last year, the Ground Logistics Team

traffic not only at the Lincoln Airport but

has been working to prepare a plan for the

across the United States. FAA representatives

2010 Citation Special Olympics Airlift in

are working on preliminary routes from all

Lincoln, Neb. Every quarter this group of 45

quadrants of the country and will finalize the

individuals comes together to ensure the plans

routes once it is determined how many aircraft

are the safest and most efficient means of

are coming from each state. This is one reason

blending aircraft, athletes, volunteers, tugs

early registration by Citation owners is so vital.

and gators.

Processes and procedures are developed for

The plan begins at the local airport, and without their support the Airlift would never get off the ground, literally. We start the process by scouting various sites on the airport to find that perfect space that provides all the ramp

operators are needed to donate their Citation business jet(s), pilots and fuel on Saturday, July 17 and Saturday, July 24. passengers to sequencing your arrival time.

Visit www.airlift.cessna.com for a list of those who’ve already committed to the event and a video featuring Harrison

We need to bring about 2,000 athletes and coaches to Lincoln, Neb., for the Special Olympics 2010 USA National Games.

Ford, our honorary chairman for the 2010 Citation Special

to ensure each Citation participating in

Olympics Airlift.

the Airlift is identified with a special “dove number” that allows them to be quickly recognized and to receive special handling.

There are so many details that go into an

of aircraft, facilities to use for staging the

event of this magnitude that by the time the

athletes on arrival/departure day, an area

first aircraft arrives in Lincoln, nearly two years

to sort baggage, space for a temporary FAA

of planning will have occurred. I will cover

tower, volunteer and pilot hospitality tents, plus

several more logistical aspects of the Airlift in

the ability to stage buses to transport athletes.

the next newsletter.

It takes a lot of pre-planning to make the Citation Special Olympics Airlift happen, and the most important element of our planning is knowing how many aircraft we can count on and where those aircraft are based.

Rhonda Fullerton is Cessna Community Relations manager and director of the Citation Special Olympics Airlift

How to volunteer for the

2010 Games We have received several requests for information on volunteering at the

Inevitably upgrades or repairs are needed to

Special Olympics 2010 USA National Games in addition to flying in the

accommodate the Airlift. The Lincoln Airport

Airlift. The Games are expected to be one of the largest sporting events

Authority has already started this work and is

in the world in 2010, let alone perhaps the biggest event ever to be held

dedicated to helping make this the best Airlift

in the state of Nebraska. The Games would not be possible without the

ever.

help of more than 8,000 dedicated volunteers. There is something for

Our FAA team includes a good mix of new members and Airlift veterans. Even before our first meeting, the FAA had analyzed the typical traffic flow of the Lincoln and Omaha airports to help determine how many additional aircraft per hour the Lincoln Airport can handle. On July 17 and 24, 2010, the Airlift increases

one woman’s vision

everyone and no shortage of diverse ways to get involved: security, event logistics, welcome

Not only does this information allow the Airlift team to begin coordinating logistics, but it lets each state’s Special Olympics delegation plan for how they will get to the Games. State organizations have small budgets and often the cost of travel falls on the families of the athletes.

Many cannot afford last-minute airfare, so travel methods will need to be decided early.

Thank you to the Citation owners who have already signed up; you can help us even more by encouraging other owners to participate. For those who haven’t yet made the commitment, I urge you to visit www.airlift.cessna.com and register today.

Here’s what we are asking you to do: volunteer your Citation for just two Saturdays – July 17, 2010, to take athletes from their home state to Lincoln Municipal Airport and again on July 24 to return to Lincoln to take these special passengers back home.

committee, delegations services, awards, receptions, ceremonies, information services, technology, cheering committee and more. All

Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver passed away in August, but events like the USA National Games will carry on her vision: to change the lives of those with intellectual disabilities, their families and communities, using sports as the catalyst for respect, acceptance and inclusion.

It’s been said that the Special Olympics movement is built upon hundreds of big moments and thousands of small ones.

This is your chance to play a part.

Jack J. Pelton Chairman, President & CEO

prospective volunteers must fill out a volunteer application form.

Special Olympics founder

Visit www.2010specialolympics.org

“ The plan begins at the local

Eunice Kennedy Shriver 1921 – 2009

Once you find this space, the real work begins.

She saw opportunity where others saw barriers.

She started a movement and changed a world.

for more information.

airport, and without their support the Airlift would never get off the

”

It might seem early for Cessna to ask for your commitment to an event in July 2010, but this isn’t just any event – this is the world’s largest peacetime airlift and thousands of athletes and families are depending on us.

Your early commitment helps with logistics from manifesting

the air traffic control system and implemented

necessary to park/fuel/tug a large contingency

ground, literally.

Now is the time to join us for the 2010 Airlift

Corporations and individual Cessna Citation owners and

“

At a glance The most important element of

our planning is knowing how many

• July 17 & 24, 2010

aircraft we can count on and where

• Transporting 2,000 athletes

”

those aircraft are based.

For more information:

888-LNK-LIF T (888.565.5438) www.airlif t.cessna.com 10%

TOTAL RECOVERED FIBER ALL POST-CONSUMER FIBER

Cessna Aircraft Company • PO Box 7706 • Wichita, KS 67277

• Citation Special Olympics Airlift

Everybody needs a lift now and then...

CITaT ION SPeCIaL OLYMPICS aIRLIf T /OC TOBeR 2009

Airlift pilot experience:

Enormous fun, enormous reward If you’ve never participated before, what will

For the athletes, a flight on a private jet is just the beginning of a very exciting and exhausting week at the Special Olympics 2010 USA National Games.

Although he is based at DeKalb Peachtree

surprise you about flying Special Olympics athletes to compete at the USA National

For many, the week will be full of firsts – first airplane ride, first trip to the Midwest, first national competition and first medal.

Games is the quick bond that forms between the flight crew and passengers. Although your time together is short, says veteran airlift pilot

Here’s what the athletes have in store once they step off the Citation:

Terry Stent, the experience is significant.

On July 18, the athletes will participate in the opening ceremony. This is one of the most anticipated celebrations for athletes, coaches, volunteers, families and friends. The event kicks off the Games and includes a parade of athletes, lighting of the torch and entertainment.

“The emotions caught me off guard, the connection you make with the five or six athletes you fly,” Terry said. “You think you are involved in just a small way by providing transportation, but you immediately become a member of their group. Flying to the Games

The competition starts on July 19 on the campus of the University of Nebraska and at venues around Lincoln. Athletes will compete in 13 different sports as individuals and as teams.

Some of the sports include aquatics, gymnastics, bowling, basketball and soccer.

on a private jet is as much a part of the experience for the athletes as the competition itself.”

That connection is why Terry has already signed up for the 2010 Citation Special

Although he is based at DeKalb Peachtree

Olympics Airlift, which will be his fifth time to

Airport (PDK), Terry offers to transport

participate.

athletes from any city in the region. He has flown groups from Atlanta, Columbia, S.C.,

“Every time Cessna announces they are

and Montgomery, Ala.

accepting volunteers, I jump on it,” Terry said. “It’s an enormous amount of fun and

“I hope other Citation owners will get on

provides an enormous reward. It’s a no-

board with the 2010 Airlift because this event

brainer. You get so much in return.”

tells a remarkable story that is in contrast to recent headlines about business aviation,”

A former Navy pilot and retired Delta Air Lines

Terry said. “The Airlift is a great endorsement

pilot, Terry has been flying Citations for more

of the good that business aviation brings

than 20 years. He currently owns a Sovereign

to people and to communities around the

based in Atlanta. Through the years he has

country.”

volunteered his time and airplane to causes such as Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, Angel Flight and other medical support missions.

Let the Games begin

The group that flew aboard Terry Stent’s Citation Sovereign in the 2006 Airlift.

When not competing, athletes can take advantage of free health screenings provided by licensed medical professionals.

The screenings include any treatments necessary. For example, athletes who require glasses will receive new prescription lenses and frames on site.

After five days of competition, the closing ceremony celebrates the athletes’ accomplishments and brings to a close the excitement, empowerment, and energy of the Games.

his favorites. “As a pilot, you realize what a

•

1,000 coaches and official delegates

stupendous feat it really is to coordinate so

•

15,000 athletes’ family members and friends

•

8,000 volunteers

incredible considering it only gets larger and

•

20,000 spectators

larger. This event is a wonderful example of

•

1,000,000 smiles and hugs

“The Airlift gets better every time, and that’s

The short answer: Yes! As a general rule, a tax deduction is allowed for actual unreimbursed expense directly attributable to services, such as fuel costs, pilot costs and away from home travel expenses while performing services for charity.

No charitable deduction is allowed for a contribution of $250 or more unless you validate the contribution by obtaining a written acknowledgement from the charitable organization. The acknowledgement generally must include the amount of cash donated or expenses incurred to provide the services contributed, and whether you received anything in return for your contribution.

Safeguard your tax deduction by taking the following steps:

• Get written documentation from the charity about the nature of your volunteering activity

• For substantial out-of-pocket expenses keep a statement of expenses and copies of receipts to submit to the charity for acknowledgement of the contribution

Special Olympics 2010 USA National Games By the Numbers:

3,000 athletes from all 50 states

many Citations on these two days,” he said.

Is your participation in the Airlift tax deductible?

• Maintain a detailed record of receipts, plus a written record of time, place, amount and charitable purpose For those Citation owners who are donating their aircraft, crew and fuel to fly athletes to the Special Olympics 2010 USA National Games, Cessna will send you a “Certificate of Donation” immediately after the Airlift. We will include a self-addressed envelope so you can send the completed document to the Executive Director of Special Olympics for the state for which you transported athletes. They will acknowledge the donation and return the document to you.

Please note, Cessna and Special Olympics cannot provide tax advice for any specific situation, and we strongly encourage everyone to consult with their tax advisor regarding any questions concerning deductibility of expenses incurred for the Citation Special Olympics Airlift.

On July 24, Cessna Citation owners will once again return to Lincoln to transport these athletes safely back home as they carry their medals and memories.

•

The Citation Special Olympics Airlift is among

FAQ:

Surrounding states (highlighted on map) are not eligible for the Airlift, however aircraft in those states are still needed.

Cessna will work with you to choose a convenient departure point.

2010 proposed departure points

good organization and a lot of passionate people.”

Everybody needs a lift now and then...