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Council accepts donated Piper Cherokee for fire-department training, votes 7-0
Summary
The council accepted a donated 1966 Piper Cherokee aircraft for use in firefighter aircraft rescue and extrication training; staff will arrange decommissioning and relocation.
The Sugar Land City Council unanimously accepted a donated 1966 Piper Cherokee (PA-28-140) for the Fire Department to use in aircraft-rescue and extrication training.
Mitchell Davies, the city’s director of aviation, said a tenant at the airport offered the airplane because it was no longer airworthy and required costly repairs. Mitchell said FAA decommissioning forms have been filed and the airport will contract with a local mechanic to remove fuel and oil; the aircraft will then be moved to a secure site for training, which may require removing the wings.
Interim Fire Chief Mark Campisi said the donor’s gift is “an incredible opportunity” to practice target-hazard responses such as aircraft rescues and extrications that are rare but high-risk. He described training possibilities that range from practicing extrication with mannequins to cutting operations once crews have run through noncutting scenarios.
Council moved and approved the acceptance without discussion; the motion carried 7-0. Staff said the airport will cover an initial safety work item (fuel/oil removal) at an estimated cost under $1,000 and the fire department will handle relocation and any required disassembly.
The donor asked to remain anonymous. Staff indicated further logistics and scheduling will be coordinated between the aviation and fire departments.
