Hundreds of athletes arrive safely in Orlando thanks to the Special Olympics Airlift event

Over 800 Special Olympics athletes and their coaches arrived safely and efficiently in Orlando for the 2022 USA Games thanks to Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker customers.

"We do this for the athletes," said Ron Draper, president & CEO, Textron Aviation. "It's special to provide them air transportation here – it's really special to see the high fives and smiles."

A Special Olympics Airlift aircraft took off or landed approximately every two minutes during the event to transport athletes and their coaches to the games.

As honorary chair of the event, Peyton Manning greeted athletes as they disembarked the aircraft and welcomed them to Orlando.

"This is a very important competition for these Special Olympics athletes," said Manning. "It's the opportunity of a lifetime, and the Airlift allows them to come here, arrive ready to perform, and give their all so hopefully they can all bring home a medal."

Take a look behind the scenes at the heartwarming event.