DAN HEATH
Press-Republican
PLATTSBURGH — Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute will soon land a Boeing 727-200F jet from FedEx.
Congressman Bill Owens announced Wednesday the company will donate the plane in August.
He thanked FedEx, Sen. Charles Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas, CV-TEC Director Dr. Barry Mack and CV-TEC Plattsburgh Satellite Campus Principal Jim McCartney for making the donation possible.
"The addition of this aircraft will help the Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute in their efforts to train skilled workers for high-tech jobs in the community. This equipment will provide valuable experience to students at the Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute and make them marketable to potential employers," Owens said in a press release.
"I look forward to seeing great things come out of this."
'INCREDIBLE ASSET'
The announcement came in a letter from FedEx Vice President for Aircraft Acquisitions, Planning and Performance Phillip Blum in response to a written request from Owens.
In the letter, Blum spoke on behalf of FedEx Chairman Frederick Smith, noting that "arrangements are under way for the donation ceremony in Plattsburgh."
North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas welcomed the announcement.
"This is an incredible new asset for Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute and for future aerospace training in the North Country, and we can't thank FedEx enough for their generosity," he said in a statement.
LOBBYING
Douglas said it has been "a key agenda item we have been working with our Washington representatives on" and said Owens, Schumer and Gillibrand "have been real champions for us.
"In our most recent trip to Washington in early June, PAI was with us, and we emphasized the importance of hopefully obtaining such a plane this year. They all went to bat for us again, and now we have success."
70 STUDENTS
Mack said the donation will be a major instructional addition to the Aeronautical Institute. More than 70 students are enrolled at the school this year, he said.
"This enormously generous donation from FedEx will provide our regional high school and adult students with a large jet with functioning systems to help them meet their FAA requirements as an airframe and powerplant technician," he said.
"FedEx will also be providing necessary parts and training on the aircraft for our CV-TEC instructors. We are very appreciative of the efforts of Congressman Owens and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand."
McCartney said staff at the Aeronautical Institute have been in communication with FedEx since November 2006. It is a key donation, he said, because it will allow students to work on an aircraft similar to those that will be serviced at Laurentian Aerospace Corp.
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