Governor Seeks To Slash Budget From State Aircraft Pool

Unlike Alaska Governor and Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin... Florida Governor Charlie Crist plans to keep his state's jet, though he does hope to sell off a King Air to curb spending for the transportation of state officials.

Since 1972, the State of Florida has maintained an Executive Aircraft Pool -- presently consisting of a 2003 Cessna Citation Bravo, a 1999 Beechcraft King Air 350, and a 1985 Beechcraft King Air 300 (similar to type shown above).

The Pool "provides on-demand executive air transportation to the Governor, Cabinet Officers, and other high level officials and employees on a priority first-call, first-served basis," according to the Florida Department of Management Services.

In its October 2008 audit, the Florida Legislature's Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability stated, "Several viable options are available that could meet the travel needs of state officials and employees at a lower cost than the current Executive Aircraft Pool.

"These include selling the jet aircraft and using only turboprop planes, reducing the number of planes in the fleet, and outsourcing some or all air transportation services for officials other than the Governor. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with each of these options."

In response to OPPAGA recommendations, Governor Crist came up with his own variation of the downsizing option, electing to keep the Citation and the King Air 350 while selling the King Air 300, the elder of the three aircraft, the Associated Press reports.

The state has listed the King Air 300 for sale on both www.trade-a-plane.com and www.aso.com. The Department of Management Services estimates the value of the King Air 300 at approximately $1.94 million.

The audit lauds the greater reliability of the newer King Air as key to insuring availability and reducing maintenance costs. "The King Air 300 is 23 years old and was unavailable due to unscheduled maintenance for 74 days during the last two years; in comparison, the 8-year old King Air 350 was unavailable for only 49 days." the audit said.

The King Air 300 was purchased by the state in 1992, to replace its King Air C-90 that was destroyed in a crash near the St. Augustine, FL airport in April of that year.

FMI: www.oppaga.state.fl.us/reports/pdf/0857rpt.pdf, www.ntsb.gov, http://dms.myflorida.com/business_operations/specialized_services/aircraft_operations