Clemson University gets approval for second athletic department aircraft

Clemson is not playing around.  Impressed with their effort.

Clemson University gets approval for second athletic department aircraft


"Lawmakers on Wednesday approved plans by Clemson University to buy a second aircraft for the school’s athletic department using booster club and athletic revenues.

Clemson wants to buy a Citation CJ2+ turbofan jet, which seats eight passengers.
 Graham Neff, associate director of athletics for Clemson, told budget officials in a letter earlier this month that the school currently uses a 1998 King Air turbo prop plane for athletic use. The university sold a 1977 aircraft in 2011.
“The increasing high demand for this aircraft and the unpredictability of usage has created an environment where the athletic department and the university would benefit from purchasing an additional aircraft,” Neff wrote. “Specifically, sudden flight changes and the unpredictable nature of coaches’ recruiting schedules support the need for additional university-owned aircraft.”
Clemson wants a 2006 or newer model of the jet, which officials say is easily available on the market.
The cost of that type of jet ranged from $3.4 million to $5.9 million in a market study done by the university.
The purchase would remove the need for expensive private charter flights now used by coaches, Neff said.
“This additional aircraft would allow the department to be more cost-efficient for longer haul trips,” he wrote.
IPTAY, Clemson’s booster club, has committed to spend up to $4.5 million for the jet, Neff said. The school can ask IPTAY for more money if the price runs over $4.5 million, he said, and if the money is not available, the funds will be provided through athletic revenues.
The request was approved Wednesday by the Legislature’s Joint Bond Review Committee after some senators asked whether the purchase would impact students’ fees.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman said he thinks the purchase of the jet is “wise,” but asked if the use of any athletic revenues means students would pay more in athletic fees. A Clemson representative said no fees would be increased because of the jet.
The athletic department will pay all operations and maintenance costs as it now does for the King Air, Neff said.
The estimated annual costs for pilots’ salaries, insurance and overhead total $330,289, while direct costs such as fuel, maintenance and engine overhaul are estimated at $379,126, according to the university.
Neff said the jet “flies at speeds significantly faster” than the King Air, has comparatively low operating costs and a “reputation for reliability within the aviation industry.”
The university will use an aircraft broker to find a suitable jet based on age, price and hours flown, among other factors, Neff said.
Clemson coaches also have used state aircraft for trips but lawmakers last year banned using the planes for recruiting.
The Joint Bond Review Panel also approved $1.5 million for design work on a $62 million, 157,000-square-foot football operations facility that will be paid for with private athletic gifts. The construction costs will be paid for with athletic revenue bonds, officials said.
The panel also approved $1.1 million for pre-design on a project to upgrade Clemson’s electrical system on campus, a $75 million overhaul.
More than 70 percent of the infrastructure on campus is more than 50 years old, officials say, and there have been numerous power outages caused by the aging electrical system.
The improvements are to be paid for out of a maintenance fund."