Its crazy that a state as big and as populated as CA does not have one
damutecebu on
“Have access to a state airplane” doesn’t necessarily mean “has a dedicated state airplane.”
Wisconsin has two state airplanes. Any state and University of Wisconsin office can rent one – including the governor.
Gone213 on
Im surprised with all the corruption in illinois, that one of the previous governors hasnt bought a state airplane for themselves, I mean for the state.
869066 on
I feel like Hawaii and Alaska are there only ones that actually need one, being so far from the mainland and needing to get to remote communities in their own states
RociBuldidi on
CA, the worlds 4th largest economy and most populated US state doesn’t have one. Glad Kash-Money-BMW Patel has one lolz
I’ve actually seen Gavin waiting at the gate in both SFO and LAX like a regular dude multiple times over the past few years.
jim-james--jimothy on
The Oregon governor can fly in a state police helicopter for official business like public safety assessments, natural disaster and stuff like that.
Technoir1999 on
Indiana’s governor got his own state-constructed helipad at his personal residence, though.
TX governor needs an airplane just to travel in a timely manner IN THE STATE
Dallas to El Paso is an 1 and half hours BY PLANE
That’s a plane from New York to Ohio
batkave on
Where the hell is the Vermont governor going that a plane would be needed?
Most of the larger states, I’ll give it to them.
IncendiaryB on
If I’m governor we’re selling that god damn plane on day one
porquetueresasi on
Maps without Hawai’i 🙁
Jusfiq on
Does not have access to state airplane does not necessarily mean flying commercial for official businesses. Until recently the United Kingdom did not have state aircraft. The Queen and the Prime Minister flew charter.
RTMSner on
My governor has a helipad built at his pro bc ate residence when he took office in January.
Arkansas Governor has access to the State Police fleet that includes a King Air 200.
UCFknight2016 on
The fact that California doesn’t have one is kind of dumb
admiralfilgbo on
About 20 years ago, Massachusetts’s lieutenant governor caused an uproar by taking a state police helicopter from Boston to the westernmost part of the state to avoid Thanksgiving traffic.
>
During her time as lieutenant governor, Swift faced significant scrutiny for her choices as a high-profile working mother.[^([10])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Swift#cite_note-mehren-11) She was especially criticized for using staff members to watch her daughter, and for her [Massachusetts State Police](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_State_Police) detail’s use of a helicopter to avoid Thanksgiving traffic en route to her home in [The Berkshires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Berkshires) when her baby was sick. In an ethics ruling that Swift herself requested, she was found to be in violation of state guidelines for the babysitting and she paid a fine of $1250, but she was cleared of wrongdoing on the question of the use of the helicopter and on allegations that staffers helped her move from one Boston-area apartment to another.
probablyabot427 on
In my opinion it should really go by the size of the state so leaders can respond far away quick in an emergency, like California really should have one but idk if west Virginia or Vermont needs
monktrane on
Maine used to let the Governor use various planes the state had for wildfires or law enforcement, but then the engine momentarily cut while the Governor was in it. The informal rule became “let’s not put the Governor in any single engine planes,” and the state sold off its larger plans during the 1990s recession.
modularpeak2552 on
I can’t speak for other states but here in Michigan the airplane is just a state police surveillance plane that the governor occasionally uses(usually to travel to islands and the UP).
Dystopio on
Of all the things in government, I choose to not be super upset about plane usage outside of the obvious cases like Cabo trips and whatnot. Some of the larger states take a good amount of time to traverse and I would want my highest elected official to be capable of rapid travel if needed. I know it’s a flimsy case but I’d much rather complain about something else
Commercial_Wind8212 on
Indiana’s has a helicopter
KasseanaTheGreat on
Iowan here. Our governor just uses one of her mega donors airplanes so she effectively has one. She’s not riding in economy with the rest of us.
(To the two other Iowans in this thread who are curious: Kim Reynolds rides around in Dan Kehl’s private jet, he’s the guy who owns Riverside Casino south of Iowa City)
Dazzling-Score-107 on
This is not worded how I think you intended. Every one of the grey states has an Air National Guard(with air craft.)
dmt1724 on
Illinois had a helicopter that was sold and was the one Kobe Bryant died in.
Odd-Tart-5613 on
Honestly need more context. Having A plane makes sense due to the responsibility of a modern governor but a super lux flying hotel? Probably not
december151791 on
I’m surprised California and Hawaii don’t when those are among the two states where it’s the most justified.
FormNo9206284 on
My governor doesn’t need one…he’s a human hot air balloon.
ShootersGreenjacket on
Washington State’s fleet that the Governor can use, “Washington State Patrol Aviation manages two King Airs, three Cessna 182s, and two Cessna 206s .” Granted the Cessna’s are outfitted for law enforcement etc.
MrPete_Channel_Utoob on
NJ dosen’t have an airplane for our governor but we do have state owned helicopters available
escott503 on
You need add a third color: Governor has access to state plane but chooses to use their own because it’s nicer.
Cough, montana, cough cough.
ThreeMarlets on
After Chris Cristi used a State Police helicopter to go to his kids little league game they really started restricting usage here in New Jersey. Of course with our current governor being a billionaire I think he just used his own money for flights, not that you really need much. It’s New Jersey, so 80% of the state is within a hours drive of the capital.
Competitive_Twist149 on
Others pay their friends’ private jet company to fly them around on the states dime. “Donate to my campaign, you get the states business”. The receipts are there.
WebHistorical1121 on
I’d like to see some state trains
Upper-Requirement-36 on
Illinois has their own airplane. At least they used to I retired 2 years ago, yay me! The plane flew twice a day once to Chicago and once back to Springfield.
ezenos on
Nevada’s planes’ (there were two when I left State service) are available to be booked by anyone in NV public service. I flew from time to time on day trips from Vegas to Carson or to access smaller areas like Fallon or Yerington or Ely instead of having to drive for 7 hours one way.
Sometimes the governor was on the flight, sometimes not.
Kdj2j2 on
Most of the Tennessee planes have a tail number that ends with 10EC (N210EC) so the pilot can say 2-ten-E-C.
BusyBeinBorn on
Kentucky absolutely needs one. It’s 4 hours from Frankfurt to Paducah and that isn’t even the western edge of the state. Ohio, with a centralized capital, not so much.
relativlysmart on
In Indiana ours has a helicopter. Douchbag used our tax dollars to build a helipad on his personal property.
41 Comments
Source: https://bookofthestates.org/tables/2022-4-3/
Montana aint lackin!
Its crazy that a state as big and as populated as CA does not have one
“Have access to a state airplane” doesn’t necessarily mean “has a dedicated state airplane.”
Wisconsin has two state airplanes. Any state and University of Wisconsin office can rent one – including the governor.
Im surprised with all the corruption in illinois, that one of the previous governors hasnt bought a state airplane for themselves, I mean for the state.
I feel like Hawaii and Alaska are there only ones that actually need one, being so far from the mainland and needing to get to remote communities in their own states
CA, the worlds 4th largest economy and most populated US state doesn’t have one. Glad Kash-Money-BMW Patel has one lolz
I’ve actually seen Gavin waiting at the gate in both SFO and LAX like a regular dude multiple times over the past few years.
The Oregon governor can fly in a state police helicopter for official business like public safety assessments, natural disaster and stuff like that.
Indiana’s governor got his own state-constructed helipad at his personal residence, though.
https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/03/14/braun-family-home-in-jasper-gets-118k-in-security-improvements-with-helipad-trailer/
TX governor needs an airplane just to travel in a timely manner IN THE STATE
Dallas to El Paso is an 1 and half hours BY PLANE
That’s a plane from New York to Ohio
Where the hell is the Vermont governor going that a plane would be needed?
Most of the larger states, I’ll give it to them.
If I’m governor we’re selling that god damn plane on day one
Maps without Hawai’i 🙁
Does not have access to state airplane does not necessarily mean flying commercial for official businesses. Until recently the United Kingdom did not have state aircraft. The Queen and the Prime Minister flew charter.
My governor has a helipad built at his pro bc ate residence when he took office in January.
[Vermont is incorrect.](https://www.wcax.com/content/news/Vermont-state-airplane-sold-at-auction-468465523.html)
Arkansas Governor has access to the State Police fleet that includes a King Air 200.
The fact that California doesn’t have one is kind of dumb
About 20 years ago, Massachusetts’s lieutenant governor caused an uproar by taking a state police helicopter from Boston to the westernmost part of the state to avoid Thanksgiving traffic.
>
During her time as lieutenant governor, Swift faced significant scrutiny for her choices as a high-profile working mother.[^([10])](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Swift#cite_note-mehren-11) She was especially criticized for using staff members to watch her daughter, and for her [Massachusetts State Police](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_State_Police) detail’s use of a helicopter to avoid Thanksgiving traffic en route to her home in [The Berkshires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Berkshires) when her baby was sick. In an ethics ruling that Swift herself requested, she was found to be in violation of state guidelines for the babysitting and she paid a fine of $1250, but she was cleared of wrongdoing on the question of the use of the helicopter and on allegations that staffers helped her move from one Boston-area apartment to another.
In my opinion it should really go by the size of the state so leaders can respond far away quick in an emergency, like California really should have one but idk if west Virginia or Vermont needs
Maine used to let the Governor use various planes the state had for wildfires or law enforcement, but then the engine momentarily cut while the Governor was in it. The informal rule became “let’s not put the Governor in any single engine planes,” and the state sold off its larger plans during the 1990s recession.
I can’t speak for other states but here in Michigan the airplane is just a state police surveillance plane that the governor occasionally uses(usually to travel to islands and the UP).
Of all the things in government, I choose to not be super upset about plane usage outside of the obvious cases like Cabo trips and whatnot. Some of the larger states take a good amount of time to traverse and I would want my highest elected official to be capable of rapid travel if needed. I know it’s a flimsy case but I’d much rather complain about something else
Indiana’s has a helicopter
Iowan here. Our governor just uses one of her mega donors airplanes so she effectively has one. She’s not riding in economy with the rest of us.
(To the two other Iowans in this thread who are curious: Kim Reynolds rides around in Dan Kehl’s private jet, he’s the guy who owns Riverside Casino south of Iowa City)
This is not worded how I think you intended. Every one of the grey states has an Air National Guard(with air craft.)
Illinois had a helicopter that was sold and was the one Kobe Bryant died in.
Honestly need more context. Having A plane makes sense due to the responsibility of a modern governor but a super lux flying hotel? Probably not
I’m surprised California and Hawaii don’t when those are among the two states where it’s the most justified.
My governor doesn’t need one…he’s a human hot air balloon.
Washington State’s fleet that the Governor can use, “Washington State Patrol Aviation manages two King Airs, three Cessna 182s, and two Cessna 206s .” Granted the Cessna’s are outfitted for law enforcement etc.
NJ dosen’t have an airplane for our governor but we do have state owned helicopters available
You need add a third color: Governor has access to state plane but chooses to use their own because it’s nicer.
Cough, montana, cough cough.
After Chris Cristi used a State Police helicopter to go to his kids little league game they really started restricting usage here in New Jersey. Of course with our current governor being a billionaire I think he just used his own money for flights, not that you really need much. It’s New Jersey, so 80% of the state is within a hours drive of the capital.
Others pay their friends’ private jet company to fly them around on the states dime. “Donate to my campaign, you get the states business”. The receipts are there.
I’d like to see some state trains
Illinois has their own airplane. At least they used to I retired 2 years ago, yay me! The plane flew twice a day once to Chicago and once back to Springfield.
Nevada’s planes’ (there were two when I left State service) are available to be booked by anyone in NV public service. I flew from time to time on day trips from Vegas to Carson or to access smaller areas like Fallon or Yerington or Ely instead of having to drive for 7 hours one way.
Sometimes the governor was on the flight, sometimes not.
Most of the Tennessee planes have a tail number that ends with 10EC (N210EC) so the pilot can say 2-ten-E-C.
Kentucky absolutely needs one. It’s 4 hours from Frankfurt to Paducah and that isn’t even the western edge of the state. Ohio, with a centralized capital, not so much.
In Indiana ours has a helicopter. Douchbag used our tax dollars to build a helipad on his personal property.