Federal civilian agencies own a total of 924 aircraft, GAO has said, citing 495 airplanes, 414 helicopters, 14 drones and one glider.
The craft are used for a variety of purposes, including law enforcement, scientific research, firefighting, and other activities. The cost in 2015 was put at $661 million, including nearly $300 million in maintenance and nearly $100 million each for crew costs and fuel and oil.
Of the 11 agencies examined, the State Department owned the most, 248, followed by DHS with 224; the NSF owns three. However, 88 were “non-operational”—meaning that it is not economical to return them to airworthiness. Such craft typically are salvaged for spare parts, put on display or destroyed, GAO said.
GAO noted that its review did not include DoD, the Coast Guard, or intelligence agencies such as the FBI. Nor does the count include aircraft that agencies lease or charter, it added.
NASA owns the glider.
