360 OBTAINS EXCLUSIVE PICS OF NEVADA’S BRAND NEW $10 MILL JET, SISOLAK THRILLED

Feb 14, 2021

Rob Lauer Political Reporter

The Nevada Department of Transportaiton (NDOT) just spent $14 million to purchase 2 new private jets for the State of Nevada. NDOT current operates a U.S. built Cessna Citation II and a turbo prop Aero Commander.

NDOT took delivery just last month in the middle of the pandemic of the brand new $10 million Pilatus PC-24 pictured above. (pictures curiosity of NDOT)

The new aircraft, a Pilatus PC-24, is built in Switzerland is raising eyebrows. NDOT is also purchasing a King Air 350. NDOT claims they are saving around $2 million in maintenance on the new planes. Only government spends $14 million to save $2 million.

The purchases were approved in the State Legislature without any opposition. But the issue of competitive bidding and purchasing a foreign built aircraft when there are comparable aircraft built in the U.S. has raised the attention of many lawmakers.

NDOT told 360

The following are also important considerations to note:

• The PC24 is the only corporate jet with a cargo door, providing additional cargo and mission adaptability for transportation operations.
• The PC24 is the only corporate jet certified to land off paved or improved runways, providing availability to deploy engineering and other staff to rural communities and areas not serviced by commercial aviation or paved aviation facilities.
• The PC24 is also the only light jet with this type of FAA-certified 10-passenger commuter configuration for additional business trip and passenger/cargo capacity.

NDOT auctioned off these two planes recently.

Here are the planes Sisolak’s government replaced: