Textron Aviation To Sponsor Olympic Ski, Snowboard Team
Textron Aviation's sponsorship of U.S. Ski & Snowboard includes a special edition interior and exterior aircraft package.
Textron Aviation's special-edition U.S. Ski & Snowboard livery features a mix of white, red, and blue colors and shapes depicting a “sporty and patriotic feel.” (Photo: Textron Aviation)

As part of a multi-year sponsorship of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Textron Aviation unveiled a special-edition interior and exterior design for new Cessna and Beechcraft products on Monday at NBAA-BACE. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the special-edition design will go to the organization, which is the Olympic national governing body of ski and snowboard sports in the U.S.

“They are the only team in the Olympics that are not government funded,” Textron Aviation senior v-p of customer experience Christi Tannahill told AIN. “They are privately funded. So this was a great opportunity for us to work with them.”

Inspired by what the company said is the “youthful energy of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes” the design incorporates the colors and textures of medals and winter sports. The cabin interior includes bright, white seating with gold accents on the seats, cabin ledges, interior lights, and rear cabin bulkhead, as well as a gold rendering of the organization’s logo. On the outside, the livery features a mix of white, red, and blue colors and shapes depicting a “sporty and patriotic feel.”

Textron Aviation's special-edition U.S. Ski & Snowboard cabin interior includes bright, white seating with gold accents on the seats, cabin ledges, interior lights, and rear cabin bulkhead, as well as a gold rendering of the organization’s logo. (Photo: Textron Aviation)

In addition to the special-edition interior and exterior, Textron Aviation’s sponsorship deal includes funding athletes’ interest in pilot training, providing transportation for athletes during training and competition, and supporting the mission of U.S. Ski & Snowboard and its foundation. “We have four of the athletes that we’re working with now that will get their pilot’s license and fly our airplanes so it’s kind of a cool concept,” Tannahill explained.

She added the sponsorship “will open up some really cool opportunities for our customers to engage with the athletes.”