"We hope the Aztec plane will bring smiles to
our passengers and be a source of pride for SDSU
students, alumni and faculty for years to come
as we fly it throughout our regional route
network." Like other university-themed
aircraft operated for Alaska Airlines by its
sister carrier, Horizon Air, the Aztec aircraft
was painted at no cost to San Diego State
University.
"Eighty percent of San Diego State's 250,000
alumni live in California, so it will be a huge
source of pride for them to see the Aztec colors
flying through the sky and at our local
airport," said Jim Sterk, SDSU director of
intercollegiate athletics. Following
the unveiling in Terminal 1, fans, students and
15 radio contest winners will depart on the
Aztec plane's inaugural flight along the
Southern California coast, and over the
Coachella Valley and Salton Sea.
Aztec plane trivia:
The Bombardier Q400 has a
wing span of 93 feet, 3 inches, and measures 107
feet and 9 inches in length.
The plane accommodates 76
passengers and four crew members.
With a cruising speed of
414 mph, the plane can fly at a maximum altitude
of 25,000 feet.
A crew of eight people
worked around the clock for seven days at
Associated Painters Inc., of Spokane, Wash., to
paint the plane.
