Gov. Ducey consolidating Arizona's airplane fleet, selling 3

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is consolidating the state's fleet of aircraft in a move designed to save money and make the use and maintenance of airplanes more efficient.

The state will sell three of 10 existing aircraft and transfer all of them to the Department of Public Safety. That move will save on hanger and maintenance costs.

The state is adding two nearly new planes it is getting for free from the federal government. The $10 million twin-engine M-28 Sky Truck aircraft are used by the military and can haul cargo or up to 14 passengers.

The governor's office says the state expects to make about $800,000 by selling the three oldest planes in its fleet. That also will cut maintenance costs because they are expensive to operate.