Page 14 - Volume 15 Number 11

King Air operators invited to fly in 2022 Special Olympics Airlift
Textron Aviation hopes to recruit 228 owners by Feb. 28, 2022, for the Special Olympics Airlift, which would make it one of the largest peacetime airlifts in the world. As we went to print, the company still needs about 120 aircraft to meet that goal.
WHO: Owners of Beechcraft King Air, Premier and Beechjet models; Hawker aircraft; and Cessna Citation business jets
WHAT: Donate the use of your aircraft, pilots and fuel to help transport a portion of the over 4,000 athletes and coaches invited to the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando.
WHERE: From airports around the U.S., Caribbean and Puerto Rico to Orlando Executive Airport and back.
WHEN: Arrival day for the USA Games is Saturday, June 4, 2022, and departure day to return passengers to their home bases is Sunday, June 12, 2022. Organizers prefer operators register to fly both days but will work with those who can only fly one leg.
WHY: With your help, children and adults with intellectual disabilities from across the country will compete on the biggest stage and continue to develop their competitive and life skills. Travel is the largest expense for Special Olympics programs, and the Special Olympics Airlift has provided free transportation for nearly 10,000 athletes and coaches dating back to 1987.
All airlift participants will receive a Certificate of Donation to use as your charitable gift documentation when working with your tax advisor.
HOW: Register at txtav.com/airlift as early as possible and no later than Feb. 28.
“I moved up to a Piper 6X and then the Piper Seneca. I had always want- ed a King Air, though, and specifi- cally a 90 model. The performance of the plane with the GT model en- gines and the gross weight increase is unbelievable, especially consider- ing I’m coming from the Seneca. I never have to worry about leaving someone behind because I need more fuel. It’s a truly functional business and recreational plane.”
Johnson said he likes the look of the 90, plus it suits the missions he regularly flies. He considered Pilatus and TBM models but the confidence that comes with the King Air’s twin engines, ability to get in and out of smaller airports and easy-to-access parts and service won out.
The 2006 King Air C90GT he pur- chased already had a gross weight increase. Raisbeck swept blade pro- pellers were added before he took delivery, and he has also upgraded to Garmin G1000 avionics, which shed several hundred pounds.
He’s planning to add wing lock- ers in January 2022 and, to make his Clemson graduate wife happy, a new paint scheme to cover up the maroon and black that reminds her of SEC-rival University of South Carolina. He expects the C90GT to fit his needs and the company’s needs for years to come.
“When I think of common traits amongst special operations soldiers, adaptability, reliability and the abil- ity to operate in harsh and challeng- ing environments all come to mind,” Johnson said. “I think the King Air shares these traits. Maybe that’s why I picked it to fill our mission and be a part of the TacMed family.” KA
*All photos provided by TacMed Solutions unless otherwise stated.
12 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
NOVEMBER 2021