Iowa Department of Transportation

Aviation leaders to meet in West Des Moines Nov. 2 - 3

AMES, Iowa -– Nov. 1, 2005 -- More than 200 leaders representing Iowa 's air transportation system will gather in West Des Moines Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 2-3, for an aviation conference sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation and Iowa Public Airports Association.

Local, state and federal aviation officials, aviation businesses, and pilots will come together to discuss issues affecting aviation in Iowa. Attendees will address business aviation, new satellite technology that will provide enhanced air access to municipal and regional airports in Iowa, state and federal funding programs, and aviation safety.

Representatives from more than 50 of the 77 commercial service, enhanced and general service airports from around the state are expected to attend the conference at the Sheraton Hotel Conference Center in West Des Moines.

Upwards of 300 pilots are expected to attend a separate Pilot Safety Seminar Wednesday evening that will be held in coordination with the conference.

Special guest speakers at the conference will include Shane Osborne, Jerry Cockrell and Marilyn Richwine.

Shane Osborne piloted his crippled reconnaissance plane to safety after colliding with a Chinese fighter jet over the South China Sea in 2001. Shane and his 23 crewmates were held by Chinese authorities for 11 days following the incident that made international headlines.

Dr. Jerry Cockrell is a nationally renowned aviation safety expert and retired Boeing 747 pilot that will address aviation safety with pilots and airport managers from around the state.

Marilyn Richwine is the vice president of corporate communications for Cessna Aircraft Company. She will speak about the 2006 Citation Special Olympics Airlift being organized by the Cessna Aircraft Company.

Corporate and individual Cessna business jet owners and operators will donate 400 Citation business jet(s), pilots, and fuel to transport more than 2,500 athletes and coaches from across the nation to the 2006 U.S. Special Olympics National Games held at Iowa State University, July 2-7, 2006.

The jets will depart for Des Moines International Airport, July 1, 2006, from approximately 35 states. A Special Olympics Citation will land or takeoff every 30-60 seconds during a 12-hour period. After the conclusion of the National Games, the Special Olympics Citation fleet will return to Des Moines July 8 to pick up the athletes, and return them to their homes. Each Citation will transport four to seven athletes plus one coach or sponsor.

For more information on the 2005 Iowa Aviation Conference, visit the Office of Aviation's Web site at www.iawings.com , or contact Tim McClung at 515-290-2269.

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News Release