Steve Terrell of the Santa Fe New Mexican checked to see how the sale of the state jet — the one Gov. Susana Martinez made a big issue to sell the state jet in her campaign , calling it the “ultimate symbol of waste and excess.” However, the jet still hasn’t been sold at $2.35 million less than what the state paid for it and it costs about $400,000 a year to fuel and maintain.
“„However, the state hasn’t been spending much on fuel for the jet this year. The plane hasn’t been flown since early December, department spokesman Tim Korte said. It’s stored at the state hangar at the Santa Fe Municipal Airport, he said.
“„New Mexico’s Cessna is the newest model and the most expensive of the six aircraft listed on Wetzel Aviation’s website.
“„“There have been some inquiries, some interest,” Wetzel spokesman Bryon Mobley said Monday. But he said the bad economy has presented “challenges” in selling the aircraft.
“„Mobley said the average time for selling a jet like New Mexico’s is 90 to 180 days. The company was chosen for the contract about two months ago.
“„The asking price is slightly lower than other 2005 Citation Bravos listed on aircraft sale websites. One such jet in Texas — same model, same year — is being offered for $3.195 million.