Panel OK’s Clemson request to buy jet plane

Clemson University is one step closer to being allowed to purchase a jet plane for athletic recruiting trips.

The Joint Bond Review Committee on Wednesday approved the university’s request to spend between $3.5 million and $6 million to purchase a 2006 or newer jet plane.

Before the university can purchase a plane, the state Budget and Control Board also must OK the purchasing plan, which requires no state taxpayer money.

The school’s booster club has set aside $4.5 million for the purchase. If the cost is higher, the university could seek additional booster dollars or use athletic department revenues to make up the difference.

State Sen. Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, asked whether students would be impacted by the plane’s purchase through athletic fees.

But Clemson Athletic Director Dan Radakovich assured Leatherman they would not – that the cost of the plane would be covered by athletic department revenues and the booster money.

The plane also would have an annual cost of $709,415 to operate.

The plane would become the university’s second aircraft, and a faster alternative to the turboprop plane the Tigers already own.

Athletic Director Dan Radakovich said the new plane would decrease demand on the prop plane and nearly eliminate the need for the university to charter flights for recruiting purposes. Last year, Clemson spent $278,000 on chartered flights.

Radakovich and Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney also have used a state-owned aircraft for recruitment trips, but that use sparked controversy and lawmakers banned the practice.

This story was originally published April 22, 2015 at 11:54 AM with the headline "Panel OK’s Clemson request to buy jet plane."