Special Olympics Airlift flies in athletes from across the country for national competition

The procession of Cessnas, Beechcraft, Hawkers, even a jumbo-sized Boeing 777, pulls up to two Minneapolis-St. Paul airports, whirring to a halt as anticipation inside the cabins builds. This is the Special Olympics Airlift, a parade of planes like no other. "Traveling together makes us feel connected, supported and able to compete,” Team Arizona cheerleading athlete Brianna Sanchez said.

By JOHN MARSHALL