RIVERSIDE - Students in California Baptist University's aviation program have a 153-foot-long laboratory to learn in now thanks to a donation from FedEx.

The worldwide freight company gave a Boeing 727-200F recently retired from its fleet to the school, which will have daily access to the 33-year-old jet at Riverside Municipal Airport.

"Although this aircraft has reached the end of its useful life in commercial service ... it is beginning a new life here at the Riverside Municipal Airport as a working lab for CBU aviation science students," said Dr. Daniel Prather, founding chair of the CBU aviation science department.

"CBU could not be more pleased with this generous donation from FedEx and appreciates the role of Women in Aviation International in Advertisement

[ Murrieta Volkswagen ] making it possible."

According to FedEx, the three-engine 727 donated to Cal Baptist is the 60th such model aircraft provided to organizations for educational purposes.

"FedEx is always proud to give back to the communities where we live and work, and this donation of a 727 from our fleet is a good example of the company's community spirit," said David Sutton, managing director of FedEx Aircraft Acquisition and Sales.

Cal Baptist's aviation program offers bachelor's degrees in aeronautics and aviation management. The donated 727, bearing tail number N266FE, will be static and used for ground-based instruction.

According to FedEx, the jet was employed for cargo hauls over 20 years, and prior to that was used as a passenger carrier by Air Canada.