Duck plane takes flight
To the sounds of "Mighty Oregon" and the cheers of excited fans, the 8:50 flight from Seattle taxied to the gate at the Eugene Airport Tuesday morning.
Most planes don't get receptions this warm--but this plane is different.
It's the inaugural flight of the Duck plane, the Horizon Air passenger jet decked out in the colors of the University of Oregon.
Painted green and yellow and featuring UO logos, the plane is one of four celebrating Northwest Universities.
It got a big two feathers up from Donald and from duck fans.
"I think it's really cool to see a Duck plane in Eugene," said 11-year-old Kaley Lesh.
The plane seats 70 people--much bigger than normal flights in and out of Eugene. So unfortunately, Tuesday's flight is the Duck plane's only scheduled visit.
"Basically the CRJ700 doesn't normally fly into Eugene," explained Jen Boyer, Horizon Air's media relations manager. "It flies between Seattle, Portland and Spokane into northern and southern California so this is going to be the ambassador of our colors where the other Pac-10 schools are."
It's a small consolation prize, but Duck fans--including Boyer--will take it.
"Imagine if a husky has to get onto this plane to go into southern California," she said. "I like that idea."
We tried to speak with a Husky fan on board the plane--but he wasn't too talkative.
Most passengers we spoke with were thrilled to be among the first to fly Duck air--and are proud to see Oregon's colors fly.
Horizon Air will unveil the Oregon State University Plane on February 12 and the Portland Airport.
The University of Washington plane will start flying a few weeks after that.
Washington State University's plane is already in the skies.
Most planes don't get receptions this warm--but this plane is different.
It's the inaugural flight of the Duck plane, the Horizon Air passenger jet decked out in the colors of the University of Oregon.
Painted green and yellow and featuring UO logos, the plane is one of four celebrating Northwest Universities.
It got a big two feathers up from Donald and from duck fans.
"I think it's really cool to see a Duck plane in Eugene," said 11-year-old Kaley Lesh.
The plane seats 70 people--much bigger than normal flights in and out of Eugene. So unfortunately, Tuesday's flight is the Duck plane's only scheduled visit.
"Basically the CRJ700 doesn't normally fly into Eugene," explained Jen Boyer, Horizon Air's media relations manager. "It flies between Seattle, Portland and Spokane into northern and southern California so this is going to be the ambassador of our colors where the other Pac-10 schools are."
It's a small consolation prize, but Duck fans--including Boyer--will take it.
"Imagine if a husky has to get onto this plane to go into southern California," she said. "I like that idea."
We tried to speak with a Husky fan on board the plane--but he wasn't too talkative.
Most passengers we spoke with were thrilled to be among the first to fly Duck air--and are proud to see Oregon's colors fly.
Horizon Air will unveil the Oregon State University Plane on February 12 and the Portland Airport.
The University of Washington plane will start flying a few weeks after that.
Washington State University's plane is already in the skies.
