Board Approves Disposal of Obsolete Boeing 727 Training Aircraft

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Watertown School Board has officially authorized the disposal of a long-standing piece of history from the Lake Area Technical College (LATC) campus. In a unanimous vote during Monday night’s meeting, the board approved a surplus resolution for a Boeing 727 aircraft, originally donated by FedEx in 2007.

A Legacy of Instruction

The aircraft, designated as VT 19046, served as a cornerstone for the Aviation Maintenance Program for nearly two decades. secured through the advocacy of former instructor in the Aviation maintenance Program Greg Klein and former student Spencer Tischer—who went on to careers with FedEx—the plane provided a massive, hands-on classroom for students to master:

·        Turbine engine theory

·        Complex aircraft systems

·        General maintenance and repair simulations

President Tiffany Sanderson noted the jet’s historical significance but emphasized that technological advancements in the aviation industry have rendered the 1960s-era tri-jet obsolete for modern training needs. “It’s been a minute since 2007,” Sanderson told the board, explaining that the college has since transitioned to more current aircraft that better reflect the technology graduates will encounter in the workforce.

Next Steps for the Hangar

With the board’s approval, Business Manager Heidi Clausen is authorized to dispose of the property according to state statute. The board also appointed Shane Ortmeier, Tony Wiegman, and Shane Swenson as appraisers to oversee the valuation of the surplus equipment.