Athletes from across the country will arrive in Ames in style.

This summer, 2,200 athletes and coaches for the 2006 Special Olympics will fly to Ames in 300 private jets.

Companies providing jets will cover the cost for transportation and provide their own crews.

Cessna Aircraft Company has helped with Special Olympics transportation since 1985. The company sells jets to private companies, but it has done most of the organizational work for this year’s event.

“We certainly appreciate the Cessna corporation for their support,” said Rich Fellingham, president and CEO of Special Olympics Iowa.

Companies from across the United States that own Citation jets from Cessna Aircraft are providing the transportation.

Marilyn Richwine, staff vice president for Cessna and director for the airlift, said there are a number of different Citation models that hold anywhere from five to 10 passengers.

Athletes and coaches will be flown to Des Moines International Airport, and then Special Olympics will provide standard coach buses to shuttle them to Ames.

“It will take close to 50 bus trips,” Fellingham said.

The number of buses is still uncertain, but the vehicles will run in a cycle so that 50 buses will not be needed.

“The reason we are bringing them into Des Moines instead of Ames is that the airport in Ames cannot support the number of aircraft we have coming,” Richwine said.

With such high volume of air traffic, as many as 60 to 70 Citation jets could be on the ramp at the same time.

Richwine said the there has been careful planning with the Federal Aviation Administration and air traffic control system for smooth landings and takeoffs.

She estimated that an aircraft will be taking off every 60 to 90 seconds, with an aircraft landing approximately every two minutes.

“It’s really a huge amount of volunteers and donations to make it all possible,” Richwine said.

Fellingham said if it weren’t for donations, the total cost of transportation would be astronomical.

“The Cessna corporation has estimated their involvement is a half million dollars,” he said.

There will be 300 to 500 volunteers – mainly local – working with the airlift for the two days of arrival and departure of the athletes and coaches.

Richwine said vendors and suppliers are providing weather briefings and flight plans, and one supplier is making hats for athletes as a donation.

Lee Enterprises is one Iowa-based company lending the use of its corporate jet, which holds eight passengers, for the Special Olympics.

“This is something Lee Enterprises – the corporation – provides with no costs. It would simply be our donation for the event,” said Daniel Hayes, director of communications for Lee.

Hayes also said it is a special time for the pilots of the jet and it’s important for them to play a role in getting the participants to the games and home again.

“[The company] always take pictures of the Special Olympians with the pilots,” Hayes said.