On May 28, 2013, the City Council accepted the donation of a Boeing 727 aircraft from Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) to be used for Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) training at the Airport.  The City received this gift because FedEx was retiring their fleet of B-727 aircraft and started a program of gifting the aircraft to various institutions around the country that could utilize the aircraft in a training or educational capacity.  The B-727 at the Billings Logan International Airport had the fuel and engines removed and was parked on the north side of the Airport where it is being used by the Airport's ARFF employees for a variety of training uses.  In order to enhance the training and provide a means to reposition the aircraft, FedEx is offering to provide a gift of an aircraft Tow Bar and a Ground Power Unit (GPU) for the B-727.  The Tow Bar will significantly help when the aircraft needs to be repositioned and the GPU, which runs on diesel fuel, can be hooked up to the aircraft, providing a source of electrical power so that many of the mechanical systems can be operational during training exercises and subsequently enhancing the ARFF's training opportunities.  In exchange for these items, FedEx is asking that the City amend the Quit Claim Deed of Gift entered into last year between the City and FedEx for the B-727 and include these two items.

The City Council may:

• Approve the donation to the Airport of the Tow Bar and  GPU for the Boeing 727 at the Airport;
• Decline the donation of these items from FedEx, and subsequently reduce the training potential that the ARFF staff may benefit from through the use of these items.

The financial impact will be minimal, consisting mostly of maintaining the GPU.  There are no upfront costs.

Staff recommends that the City Council accept this donation to the Airport of a Tow Bar and GPU from FedEx, amending the original Quit Claim Deed of Gift to include these items.