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Flight Operations

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General Information

Colleges and departments are encouraged to request use of the airplane when traveling on official University of South Carolina business. Get full details about flights and flight scheduling including cost, making a reservation, departures and cancellations.

Reservations

A reservation form is required for each flight passenger. To schedule a seat or flight, you must first secure approval for travel on the university airplane from your dean or vice president. University guests and donors must be approved by the Office of the President.

Once approved, complete the Reservation Form. You will receive confirmation of your flight request via email within 48 hours from Flight Operations.

Flight Expenses

Colleges and departments will not be charged for flights regarding official UofSC business that are:

  • specific to acquisition of a research grant or
  • development or fundraising sources.

Such flights should include a minimum of three university representatives. Additional representatives are strongly preferred, each with a separate major gift or grant-related appointment. If your flight does not meet the above criteria, the cost will be charged to your college's account.

University employees conducting official university business such as research, liaison or conference attendance can be seated on a scheduled flight at no cost to their departments provided the above criteria is met by other passengers.

Seating

The King Air 350 comfortably seats eight passengers. Three passengers are required to make the flight most cost effective. For longer flights, more passengers will be required to achieve greater cost efficiency. Flights with fewer than three passengers must be approved by the Office of the President.

Flight Departures

Departure times are coordinated jointly with Flight Operations. Passengers are required to confirm intent to travel 24 hours prior to takeoff or risk cancellation. To confirm, call Flight Operations at 803-530-2551 or 803-530-6243. 

Passengers are asked to arrive at least 20 minutes before departure at the Jim Hamilton – LB Owens Airport (CUB) Eagle Aviation lobby. No university flights depart or arrive at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). UofSC Flight Operations are based out of Jim Hamilton – LB Owens Airport (CUB).

Flying to Washington DC

All UofSC flights originate out of Jim Hamilton – LB Owens Airport (CUB).

Departure
Departs Jim Hamilton – LB Owens Airport at 7:30 a.m.

Arrival
Arrives at Manassas Regional Airport at approximately 9 a.m. 

Departure
Departs from Manassas Regional Airport at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Arrival 
Arrives at Jim Hamilton – LB Owens Airport at approximately 6 p.m. 

Other Destinations

Schedules can be modified to meet passengers needs as long as established flight hour and crew day limitations are maintained.

Transportation at Travel Destination

Passengers are responsible for ground transportation upon arriving at a destination airport. Many airports provide access to multiple transportation options including rental cars, taxis, limo service or trains.

If you need to make arrangements, contact Flight Operations for the phone number of the destination airport's fixed base operator (FBO). The FBO can assist you with making ground transportation arrangements, which may be reimbursed by the travel budget of your college or department provided you have secured authorization prior to departure.

Expense Reimbursement

Passengers expecting departmental reimbursement for travel expenses must have a travel authorization form on file in the Controller's Office prior to departure. If no reimbursement is authorized, a memo signed by the supervisor and placed in the passenger's departmental file will be sufficient proof for insurance purposes that the trip was authorized.

Cancellations

To cancel a flight, call Flight Operations at 803-530-2551 or 803-530-6243. 

In some cases, last-minute withdrawal by one or more passengers can cause an entire flight to be canceled. A flight may be canceled if:

  • the minimum number of required passengers is not met
  • a passenger fails to show up on the day of the flight
  • inclement weather
  • aircraft mechanical issues

If a passenger does not cancel a reserved seat and fails to show for the flight, the approving department may be charged for a portion of the flight.

Flight Operations


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