Federal Express has donated a Boeing 727-100 freighter to the aviation programme at Southern Arkansas University-Tech in Camden. The programme trains students to repair aircraft, and the donation gives it its first jet aircraft.

"It means everything for the programme. It's another piece of equipment that keeps us current in showing our students what they'll run into when they get out in the real world. Additionally, the jet has systems aboard that SAU-Tech students formerly could learn about only through videos, slide shows or textbooks," said Bill Archer SAU-Tech's aviation program coordinator.

David Sutton, managing director of aircraft acquisition and sales for FedEx added: "This is our way of giving back to the industry and helping produce quality graduates of maintenance training programmes,"