BERLIN, Vt. (AP) — Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin doesn’t mind flying in the state’s half-century-old single engine-plane, even though two of his predecessors refused to use it.
Shumlin acknowledged the 1960 single-engine Cessna is his “security team’s nightmare and a lieutenant governor’s dream.”
The four-seater plane has been getting more use and attention this year now that Shumlin has moved from East Montpelier, not far from the Statehouse, back to his home area in southern Vermont, about two hours away by car.
The plane is quicker, and the Democratic governor says it saves money because it involves less overtime for his security detail than making the trip by car.
Aviation director Guy Rouelle says neither Republican Gov. Jim Douglas nor Democratic Gov. Howard Dean used the plane.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Safer than driving. I assume he’s a pilot and just flies himself? That plane has probably 500-700 lbs of useful load; three 200lb guys (gov + ‘security detail’?) + baggage is going to be near the limit…
That’s a Cessna 172a. It’s a legendary aircraft still in production (and probably the most successful aircraft ever made). Extremely safe and they last forever. The only time these planes crash is when they run into something. I wouldn’t hesitate to fly in it.