South Carolina Aeronautics Commission

South Carolina Aeronautics Commission (Aeronautics) is conveniently located at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport.

Aeronautics provides safe, efficient, reliable, and comfortable on-demand air transportation for the Governor, members of the General Assembly, Constitutional officers, state agencies, and state colleges and universities. Aeronautics provides maintenance and fueling services to state-owned aircraft.

N1SC
“Palmetto 1”

  King Air 350 - “Palmetto 1”

Aeronautics utilizes a Beechcraft King Air 350. The King Air 350 is known for its comfort, speed, reliability, and safety. It is equipped with the latest avionics, including GPS navigation, weather radar, pressurized cabin, and air conditioning.

The King Air 350 can comfortably seat up to nine passengers and cruise at 340 MPH. All destinations in South Carolina can be reached from Columbia in 40 minutes or less.

  The Benefits of Travel on “Palmetto 1”

Effective time management is critical to the success of any organization. This is especially true for state government because lost time equals lost dollars. The State of South Carolina, through Aeronautics, is able to move key personnel around the state and the U. S. more efficiently than by automobile or commercial airlines, and is less expensive than aircraft charter services. Aeronautics can provide air transportation to most locations in the Palmetto State or across the nation. One or two DAYS travel can be accomplished in one or two HOURS of flight. Today’s executives agree that time is their most valuable resource and air transportation saves time and maximizes productivity.

Aeronautics provides the following:

1. Travel flexibility and mobility



2. Accesses locations not served by commercial airlines



3. Provides utilization of private air time to prepare for meetings, to fine tune presentations, or hold private conferences



4. Provides indirect cost savings by efficient use of time - no overnight expenses



5. Reliable transportation with comfort of KNOWING your flight crew



6. Hassel free TSA screening-no passenger searches, long lines, or invasive screenings



7. When three or more persons travel, the users will break even or save money over the cost of a short notice airline ticket, depending on the destination

  Cities, Times, & Costs

Approximate“Round Trip” travel times and costs from Columbia (airport landing and parking fees not included)

Atlanta Area	1:45	$1,540.00
Chicago	4:50	$5,070.00
Nashville	2:45	$2,805.00
Newark	4:40	$4,675.00
Orlando	2:55	$2,933.00
Pittsburgh	1:45	$3,538.00
Raleigh-Durham	1:35	$1,550.00
Richmond	2:35	$2,650.00
Washington/Dulles	3:10	$3,185.00

  Flight Scheduling

The King Air is scheduled on a “first come, first serve” basis. Reserve the plane early to make sure it will be available for your trip.

For information, call Flight Scheduling at 803-896-6280
E-mail: flightscheduling@aeronautics.sc.gov
South Carolina Aeronautics Commission
2553 Airport Blvd.
West Columbia, SC 29170
PO Box 280068
Columbia, S.C. 29228-0068
Fax: 803-896-6266
scaeronnautics.com

  The Pilots of “Palmetto 1”

From Left to Right: Hugh Tuttle, John Young

Pilots undergo rigorous annual, recurrent training. The King Air is maintained to the highest FAA standards. Mechanics are Beechcraft/Raytheon trained and complete periodic update training. The Aeronautics safety record is superb. In 2000, the National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA) presented Aeronautics with an award recognizing our outstanding safety record. To date, we have flown over 68 years and 90,900 hours without an accident.

  Aircraft Use Policy Statement

The Aeronautics aircraft is available as a means of providing on-demand air transportation. The use of the King Air 350 and the passengers are determined by the individual reserving and authorizing the trip; i.e. Governor, legislator, Constitutional officer, etc. Passengers sign as they board and the flight authorizer signs the manifest and certifies the purpose of the flight.

All flights in the King Air 350 have a pilot and a co-pilot. All flight decisions during operation are made by the “pilot-in-command” (PIC). These decisions are based on numerous factors such as time of the flight and airplane performance, weather at departure and destination, air traffic, and/or other pertinent information gathered by the pilots. Passengers do not contribute to decisions made by the PIC. Aeronautics follows all Federal Aviation Regulations.

The King Air 350 can be utilized for express air courier services and for emergency transportation to medical facilities for ambulatory patients.

Aeronautics has posted the Flight Logs and Manifests to this web page.  Flight Logs and Manifests will be updated on the first and sixteenth of every month.  The Minutes of the Aeronautics Commission meetings are posted on the website within two business days after the Commission approves the minutes.  Any FOIA requests to the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission or to the Flight Department must be in writing and mailed to the attention of the

Executive Director or the Chief Pilot at:
  Post Office Box 280068
Columbia, South Carolina 29228

All requests for information will be answered within fifteen business days.

  Ground Transportation:

Passengers are responsible for their own ground transportation at the destination airport. Rental cars, taxies, limousine service, and trains are available at different airports. Aeronautics will be glad to provide a destination phone number for passengers to make arrangements.

  Maintenance Department and Facilities for all State-owned Aircraft:

From Left to Right: Neil Baker and Paul Gravesandy

The Aeronautics’ facility is located at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport providing maintenance, hanger space, and Jet A fueling to South Carolina state-owned aircraft.

Maintenance Rates: $55.00 per hour
Jet A Fuel: Phone 803 896-6287 for current price