U.S. General Services Administration
The Surprising Post-Retirement Careers of GSA-Sold Aircraft
What do a luxury business jet, a novelty airplane-turned-theme restaurant in Florida, firefighting air tankers, and helicopters featured in this summer’s action movie blockbuster have in common? They were all once government aircraft that were sold to the general public and have gone on to serve in new and unusual roles in their “post-retirement” careers. Another thing they share in common is that they were all put up for auction by Sales Contracting Officers in GSA Region 9’s Personal Property Disposal Office, a national center of expertise for aircraft sales. Here are some of their most interesting sales and ways the aircraft were repurposed:
Highest Sales Proceeds
Gulfstream III - This business jet has a range of 4,200 miles and a top speed of 577 miles per hour.
In 2002-03, the region sold a Gulfstream III jet for exactly $3,100,001. This was the sales program’s single highest sales proceeds from an aircraft. Aside from the high price tag, this auction remains memorable as the original auction winner’s check bounced and it was discovered that the bank’s letter of credit was forged. Frustrated that the sales contract was terminated, the individual filed a complaint with the Board of Contract Appeals to overturn the termination of his contract. It ended with him owing the government $620,000 in damages, ultimately losing the case. The jet was ultimately purchased by another party with the necessary funds and documentation without further incident.
Honorable Mention - AgustaWestland AW139 medium-lift helicopter was sold in 2016 for $2 million.
Highest Volume Buyer
Spare Parts - Even non-working aircraft retain residual value and are a readily available source for spare parts.
The sales program's single largest customer, in terms of volume, is a Florida-based spare parts supplier. Their company alone has purchased over 73 Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters plus countless other aircraft parts. Named after the Native American war leader, Black Hawk helicopters have been a staple of the U.S. military since 1974 as a dependable and flexible utility chopper. Removed of any military hardware, the Black Hawk helicopters are transferred to state and local governments and sold to companies and individuals and now serve in such diverse roles as search and rescue operation helicopters, medical evacuation, firefighting, and air taxis.
Hollywood Connection
High-Flying Action - Many aircraft are sold to film production companies and have been used in numerous Hollywood action movies.
If you have watched “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”, “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”, or at one of the many “Fast and Furious” movie installments, you may have unknowingly caught a glimpse of one of the airplanes or helicopters sold by GSA. So the next time you see Arnold Schwarzenegger on the big screen yelling, “Get to the chopper!” there’s a chance it was one sold by our regional sales team.
Highest Parts Sales Proceeds
Boeing 747 Jet Engines - GE engines are known for their high reliability.
GSA auctioned four Boeing 747 GE jet engines for $15.49 million. The sale constituted the highest sales proceeds for aircraft parts for the zonal sales team. While aircraft parts sales constitute a smaller portion of overall sales, they play a critical role in ensuring private aircraft owners have access to a steady supply of quality used parts to keep their aircraft in the air.
Emergency Response
A Dam Failure - When a 30-foot wall of water threatened nearby communities downriver of the Oroville Dam, many aircraft, including helicopters sold by GSA, joined the emergency response efforts.
In February 2017, heavy winter rainfall and erosion contributed to cascading system failures at the Oroville Dam, the tallest dam in the nation. A 200 by 30 foot sinkhole compromised the dam’s main water spillway and water began to flow over the emergency spillway. This combination could cause the emergency spillway to fail and posed a threat to nearby communities, which were ordered to evacuate. Two Sikorsky UH-60 Utility Hawks, previously sold by GSA, joined the emergency response efforts, including transporting and placing bags filled with crushed rocks in strategic locations to reinforce the integrity of the emergency spillway.
Real Life ConAir
Not Exactly First Class - The air transportation of prisoners are actually dull and safe affairs, just the way the law enforcement officials coordinating the flights prefer.
There weren’t any inflight meals or movies when this SAAB model 2000 passenger plane soared through the sky for U.S. Marshals Service, but that was the least concern for the thousands of prisoners this real life ConAir plane shuttled around the country. These types of planes usually transport over a quarter million people every year to repatriate foreign nationals as well as transfer prisoners between prisons or to stand trial in a different state.
Under the leadership of the Personal Property Management Division Deputy Director, Sindi Nishimura, Sales Contracting Officers Shirley Tarkington, Sing Cheng, and Zachary Dean have collectively listed and sold hundreds of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Last fiscal year alone, the personal property zonal sales program sold over 6,100 pieces of property, generating over $70 million in sales proceeds. Of that amount, $50 million came from the sale of 107 aircrafts.
“It’s really rewarding to see the millions of dollars in taxpayer savings and cost avoidance,” said Zachary Dean, Sales Contracting Officer for FAS. “We’re one of the few programs within the Government that generates our own revenue and puts money back into the Treasury. As a civil servant and taxpayer, I take great pride in that!”