NEW YORK — Wheels Up, a leading private aviation company, announced today the unveiling of a camouflage-painted Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft through its Wheels Up Cares philanthropic initiative.
The Wheels Up Camouflage Plane has a custom livery that was created and painted by Textron Aviation Inc. and honors those in the military who bravely served and continue to serve our country, while benefiting the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a non-profit organization that offers compassionate care to those grieving the loss of a military loved one.
The Camouflage Beechcraft King Air 350i will remain indefinitely in the Wheels Up fleet to serve as a flying symbol of TAPS’ mission.
Wheels Up will be making a donation to TAPS, and all pilots flying Wheels Up planes will wear camouflage pins throughout the month of November in support of the campaign.
“We created the Wheels Up Cares program to showcase our support of important causes by leveraging our fleet of aircraft,” said Kenny Dichter, Founder and CEO of Wheels Up. “The four planes in the program are flying symbols of these charities’ incredible missions and we are proud to align with TAPS for our latest addition to the fleet.”
Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones.
TAPS has assisted more than 90,000 loved ones grieving the death of a military hero and continues to receive an average of 19 new survivors every day.
“Wheels Up and Textron truly represent what is best about America – they recognize freedom is not free, honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and ensure the families of our fallen heroes will be taken care of. We are forever grateful for their steadfast support,” said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS Founder and President and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.
Along with the Camouflage Plane and TAPS, Wheels Up Cares recognizes American Heart Month in February with its Red Plane in support of the American Heart Association and Simon’s Heart, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in September with its Teal Plane in support of the Janet Burros Memorial Foundation, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October with its Pink Plane representing the company’s ongoing commitment to the Dubin Breast Center of The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai in New York City.
