Purchase of new state airplane discussed

A bill that would authorize the purchase of a plane for state use was heard by the Executive Board during a hearing Jan. 31.

Omaha Sen. Bob Krist introduced LB1016, which would authorize the state Department of Aeronautics to purchase a new aircraft and sell the state’s current plane. Krist said the state has been borrowing a plane from the University of Nebraska Foundation and has not purchased a new plane in over three decades.

The bill is the product of legislation passed last year that commissioned an independent study to determine whether the state should purchase an aircraft for state purposes. The completed study recommended that the state purchase a new aircraft.

“It was worth the extra time and extra effort [to do the study],” Krist said. “This bill allows us to buy a new airplane, under warranty, which would include two pilot positions and one flight mechanic.”

The study commissioned by the Legislature indicated the King Air C90GTx would have the lowest costs over a 20-year life cycle. A new King Air C90GTx would retail for approximately $3.85 million. The bill would authorize the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency to operate, maintain and hangar the state aircraft.

No one testified in support or opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on it.