The Washington State Legislature directed the Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the Washington State Patrol’s (WSP) fleet of Cessna aircraft. 

WSP’s aviation section provides aerial traffic enforcement, traffic congestion management, natural disaster response, homeland security, and other aerial law enforcement and public safety services. It operates five Cessna aircraft to accomplish this mission: three Cessna C182s and two Cessna C206s. The Cessna’s were purchased between 1999 and 2001. Flight hours per plane range from 8,050 to 10,505 as of November 11, 2021. 

The Washington State Patrol asked the 2022 Legislature to fund replacement of all five Cessnas over the next four years. This prompted the Legislative request for evaluation of the duties of the aviation section to determine whether there were other options for modernization of the fleet. 

The JTC is requesting proposals from consultants interested in conducting the evaluation, to include but not be limited to:
•    Assessing the current use and performance of the aircraft;
•    Timing of needed replacement of the aircraft;
•    Evaluating the feasibility and costs of using aircraft powered by alternative fuel;
•    Reviewing other potential technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles, to achieve some or all of the aviation section's mission.

A final report must be submitted to the JTC by December 1, 2022.