South Carolina State Aircraft Program Overview
Our Mission
The South Carolina Aeronautics Commission (SCAC or the Agency) operates the State Aircraft Program to provide safe, secure, reliable, efficient, and accountable air transportation in support of official State government business.
The aircraft program is one component of SCAC's broader mission to support South Carolina's aviation system and serves as a shared governmental transportation resource for the benefit of State government.
Why Does South Carolina Maintain State Aircraft?
South Carolina is a geographically diverse state with governmental responsibilities that extend across all 46 counties, across our nation and worldwide. In many circumstances, State provided air transportation allows State officials and employees to conduct official business more efficiently than commercial or ground transportation, particularly when multiple destinations or time sensitive schedules are involved.
The State aircraft program exists to:
✈ Support the efficient conduct of official State business.
✈ Improve access to communities throughout South Carolina.
✈ Enhance the productivity of State officials and employees by reducing travel time.
✈ Provide safe, professionally operated transportation for authorized governmental missions.
✈ Maintain a transportation resource available to support emergency response and other critical State needs.
Like any State asset, the aircraft are intended to be used for their authorized governmental purpose. When appropriately utilized, they provide value to the citizens of South Carolina through increased efficiency and operational flexibility.
Legal Authority
SCAC operates the State Aircraft Program under the authority granted by the South Carolina General Assembly.
South Carolina law authorizes the use of State-owned aircraft by State agencies and other governmental entities for matters pertinent to, and in the normal course of governmental business.
In addition, the annual General Appropriations Act authorizes SCAC to furnish transportation to members of the General Assembly for official business, subject to applicable certifications, reporting requirements, and other provisions enacted by the General Assembly.
SCAC administers every mission in accordance with applicable law, the annual appropriations act, and established Agency procedures.
Who May Use State Aircraft?
State aircraft are governmental transportation resources—not public charter aircraft. Authorized users may include:
✈ The Governor
✈ Lieutenant Governor
✈ Members of the General Assembly
✈ Constitutional Officers
✈ Cabinet agencies
✈ State agencies and institutions
✈ Other governmental entities authorized by law
All travel must be for authorized governmental purposes consistent with applicable law and Agency procedures.
Mission Scheduling
Aircraft requests are coordinated by SCAC’s Chief Pilot. Mission requests are generally scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis, subject
to:
✈ Aircraft availability
✈ Flight crew availability
✈ Maintenance requirements
✈ Weather conditions
✈ Operational considerations
✈ Governor's priority scheduling if necessary
Every effort is made to maximize the efficient use of the aircraft while meeting approved transportation needs.
Safety and Security
The State Aircraft Program provides professionally managed transportation environment for senior State officials conducting authorized governmental business.
State aircraft are operated by experienced State-employed pilots in State-owned and professionally maintained aircraft under established operational procedures. This provides consistency in flight operations, maintenance, communications, and mission planning while allowing the State to maintain appropriate security protocols when warranted by the nature of the mission or the office of the traveler.
By maintaining direct operational control of the aircraft, flight crews, and maintenance program, South Carolina is able to provide a secure, reliable, and accountable transportation resource that supports the continuity of State government.
State aircraft are:
✈ Operated by highly qualified professional pilots employed by the State.
✈ Maintained in accordance with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.
✈ Subject to rigorous inspection, maintenance, and operational procedures.
✈ Operated under established flight operations policies designed to ensure the highest standards of safety.
Accountability and Transparency
The State Aircraft Program operates within a framework of public accountability.
Among other measures:
✈ Passenger manifests are maintained, flight records are documented and this information is published on the SCAC website.
✈ Aircraft scheduling follows established procedures.
✈ Aircraft operations are subject to public oversight and applicable public records laws.
The Agency is committed to ensuring that State aircraft are operated responsibly, transparently, and in the best interest of South Carolina taxpayers.
Funding the Program
The State Aircraft Program is supported through a combination of appropriated resources and revenues generated through reimbursable governmental missions.
The Agency maintains an established rate structure for certain reimbursable interagency missions.
Consistent with longstanding operating practice, official missions involving the Governor, members of the General Assembly, and Cabinet officials are not administered through the interagency rate structure and are not operated as a passenger transportation service with individual passenger charges or reimbursement amounts.
SCAC does not allocate aircraft operating costs to individual passengers on authorized State aircraft missions.
Stewardship of Public Resources
SCAC is committed to making responsible use of the State's aviation assets.
Mission planning considers aircraft utilization, passenger locations, scheduling requirements, operational efficiency, and safety.
Whenever practical, missions are coordinated to maximize aircraft utilization while accomplishing approved governmental objectives.
SCAC recognizes that State aircraft represent a significant public investment and is committed to operating them safely, efficiently, transparently, and responsibly.
Questions
For questions concerning ethics laws or legislative travel requirements, please contact the appropriate State authority responsible for administering those laws.
Gary W. Siegfried, P.E.
Executive Director
South Carolina Aeronautics Commission