According to New Mexico Department of Transportation spokesperson S. U. Mahesh, the state transportation commission has authorized $4 million toward the purchase of a new state aircraft to replace one of four turboprops already in the state fleet.

“We haven’t decided on the type of aircraft yet, except that it will be a turboprop,” Mahesh told AIN. “We’re looking at all options. Our plan is to get the most that we can for the $4 million.”

The new aircraft will replace the state’s aging 1966 Rockwell Aero Commander, for which maintenance and other costs have become nearly prohibitive. The aircraft, along with a 1976 King Air E90, 1978 King Air C90 and 1982 Twin Commander 690C, is operated by the state’s General Services Department.

According to Wanda Carrillo, deputy director of the New Mexico General Services Department, the state has prepared a request for proposal (RFP), which was to have been issued by the end of last month. Money will come from the State Road Fund to purchase the aircraft outright. Interested parties should contact the New Mexico Procurement Bureau at (505) 827-5100.