South Dakota budget writers used airplane jokes Monday as they laid out the final stretch of work before the 35th day of session.

At the Joint Committee on Appropriations, lawmakers mapped out a packed schedule: budget setting at 10 a.m., a leadership meeting, a 4:30 p.m. meeting with the governor, then an evening round of work on major agencies. Tuesday’s agenda included the supplemental bill, levy bill and general appropriations bill.

Co-Chair Rep. Mike Derby, R-Rapid City, then opened the aircraft metaphor.

“And our plane, we’ve got the landing gear down,” Derby said. “We’re landing this plane on the 35th day. That’s the goal.”

The other co-chair, Sen. Ernie Otten, R-Tea, picked it up.

“Seat’s in the upright position,” Otten said. “Tray’s locked in their position. And if you hear somebody say, brace yourself, that means put your head between your legs. And we’re coming in.”

Rep. Al Novstrup, R-Aberdeen, got the last line.

“The good co-chair forgot to mention where the tickets were to. We’ve got 105 passengers, all with tickets to different locations.”

The 35th day of the session is Tuesday. The main run of the session ends on Thursday.