Orbis celebrates 30 years of saving sight

Its now somewhat elderly DC10 has become a familiar airport sight since it went into service in 1992 but it was in March 1982, that the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital took to the skies to deliver treatment and teaching to developing countries.  Orbis International is an international non-profit non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to saving sight worldwide.  The aviation industry can be proud of the way it has helped Orbis to provide treatment for more than 15m blind and visually impaired people over 30 years.  Programmes have been carried out in 89 countries enhancing the skills of more than 280,000 eye care professionals.

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital was the second DC-10 aircraft built, in 1970.  It was used as a test aircraft by McDonnell Douglas, and then was acquired for passenger service by Laker Airways.  Last August Fedex announced that it would donate one of its MD-10-30Fs to Orbis to replace the DC10.  The new MD-10 will feature a modular hospital suite, the first time these units will have been used on an aircraft, plus a lecture/teaching area. www.orbis.org

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