Big Bend gifted Boeing 727 from former student

MOSES LAKE — Steve Lloyd learned to fly at Big Bend Community College in 1969.

On May 24, Lloyd is returning the gift of flight.

The college is receiving a Boeing 727 freighter aircraft from FedEx, where Lloyd worked as a pilot before retiring in 2003. He helped facilitate the donation.

Big Bend President Bill Bonaudi recognized the donation during the 12th annual State of the College Address Thursday.

"While talking to foundation and college staff, he offered that Federal Express might be interested in donating one of their retiring 727 aircraft," Bonaudi said. "It will not fly again after its arrival, but will be capable of taxiing and demonstrating major aircraft operating systems for both the aviation maintenance program and the commercial pilot program."

Lloyd said his inspiration for facilitating the donation was the benefit to students.

"The bottom line is, I know starting out as I did, how important it would have been to have an aircraft like that," he said. "If nothing else, just to sit in."

The donation from FedEx was generous, he said.

Lloyd joined the aviation program at Big Bend Community College winter quarter of 1969. To afford spring quarter, he sold his 1966 Plymouth Street Hemi. To help finance the rest of his education, he returned to Spokane for his previous job at a grass seed mill.

"He sold his car in order to have enough money for tuition and flight fees for the first two quarters, and then he had to drop out and go to work," Bonaudi said.

In 1970, Lloyd returned to Big Bend to complete his associate degree and earn his commercial pilot's license. He was hired as a flight instructor in 1971.

"My first aviation job was working for Big Bend Community College as a flight instructor," he said.