LETU Receives Turbine Engine from Southwest Airlines

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University Friday received a CFM56 turbine engine from Southwest Airlines for use in the university’s applied aviation sciences department. The turbine engine, which is about the size of a pickup truck, was from one of Southwest Airlines’ Boeing 737-300 aircraft — known as the workhorse of their fleet, according to an LETU news release. This particular engine was in service flying passengers as recently as about two weeks ago. Representatives of Southwest Airlines were on hand for the acceptance of the engine. “This donated turbine engine will greatly enhance our student education experience in the area of larger turbine engines,” said Sean Fortier, chair of LETU’s applied aviation department in the news release.