Our high-flying SC governors and lawmakers enjoy 2 taxpayer-financed aircraft.

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey wants to sell the 2 expensive aircraft and have them fly commercially like their constituents.

Massey expects opposition, he told the Chronicle.

Former Gov. Nikki Haley, who lived in Lexington before moving to the Governor’s Mansion and the United Nations, repaid the state $10,000 for flights.

Her predecessor, Mark Sanford, posed as a fiscal conservative and friend of taxpayers. But Sanford paid more than $80,000 in fines for state aircraft misuse.

Sen. Todd Rutherford of Columbia has been reported as one of the state’s more frequent state plane fliers.

He and his wife have used the aircraft to fly to resorts where he said he spoke to conferences. Rutherford claims these flights were on official state business.

State taxpayers have paid for 2 aircraft and up to $1,500 an hour to operate the 2 aircraft.

We were unable to find out what the state paid for them or spends on maintenance and storage.

The SC Aeronautics Commission maintains:

• A Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350, Palmetto 1.

According to the commission, the King Air 350 is known for its comfort, speed, reliability and safety.

It is equipped with the latest avionics, including GPS navigation, weather radar, pressurized cabin and air conditioning.

The King Air 350 can comfortably seat up to 9 passengers and cruise at 340 mph. All destinations in South Carolina can be reached from Columbia in 40 minutes or less.

• A Hawker Beechcraft King Air C90, Palmetto 2.

The plane can seat up to 7 people, depending on crew requirements. It is used primarily for in-state travel.

It is able to land and take off from airports that the King Air 350 cannot due to runway lengths.

The cabin is pressurized for passenger comfort and is equipped with GPS and weather radar.

Clemson and the University of South Carolina also own planes bought and maintained with state funds and athletic proceeds.

These planes are used by university officials and the sports coaching staffs on recruiting trips.