ORBIS, a non-profit development organisation dedicated to saving sight worldwide, announced yesterday it would replace its current DC-10 Flying Eye Hospital with a DC-10 Series 30 freighter, with  United Airlines and FedEx donating the aeroplane.
The $US 2 million donation is based on the plane’s estimated value and being funded equally by United and FedEx.
“Through the extraordinary generosity of United and FedEx, millions of people who would otherwise go blind or remain blind for lack of proper eye care will reap the rewards of advanced ophthalmic training,” said ORBIS executive director, Geoffrey Holland, adding that “the new aircraft will allow ORBIS to continue its mobile sight-saving training for 20 years. This is a truly wonderful gift to the world.”
At the heart of ORBIS is the world’s only Flying Eye Hospital -– a DC-10 aircraft containing an innovative teaching facility and ophthalmic surgical centre. The ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital is flown across the globe by volunteer pilots from FedEx Express and United, and its international medical team conducts treatment and training programs. Leading eye surgeons volunteer their time to perform surgery and teach aboard the aircraft during programs specifically designed to suit the skills-level of host countries.
United Airlines is the Founding Airline Sponsor of ORBIS, having donated the first ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital, a DC-8, which was launched in 1982. In 1992, with donations from three very generous individuals, ORBIS purchased a DC-10.
In 1994, the ORBIS DC-8 was formally retired, and the ORBIS DC-10, which remains in service today, took over as the world’s only flying eye hospital.
Until 2001, when it retired its fleet of DC-10 aircraft, United held the lead role in maintaining the current ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital. United currently supports ORBIS by transporting volunteer medical faculty and other personnel to ORBIS programs around the world. Over the years, more than 300 United pilots and maintenance crew members have donated their time and expertise to ORBIS.
“We are pleased to continue our long-standing support of ORBIS and ensure that it can reach even more people across the world with this more efficient aircraft,” said Glenn Tilton, CEO of United Airlines. “Because of the important work of ORBIS, as well as our own employees who volunteer, there is a great opportunity to make a significant difference in maintaining and restoring sight to people around the world.”