{"id":33912,"date":"2025-10-08T06:45:34","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T06:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/?p=33912"},"modified":"2025-10-08T06:45:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T06:45:35","slug":"flying-eye-hospital-lands-in-dubai-how-1973-plane-turned-into-medical-training-facility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/es\/2025\/10\/08\/flying-eye-hospital-lands-in-dubai-how-1973-plane-turned-into-medical-training-facility\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Flying eye hospital’ lands in Dubai: How 1973 plane turned into medical training facility"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Orbis maintenance crew is small but highly experienced, made up mostly of former FedEx mechanics who know the DC-10 model inside out<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once a dusty old cargo plane, this 1973 FedEx aircraft has been given a second life. Instead of carrying packages across continents, it now carries hope, for inside this sleek silver fuselage sits a fully functioning hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0Orbis Flying Eye Hospital\u00a0is an aircraft that trains eye surgeons around the world and helps restore sight to thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cargo plane was graciously donated to Orbis by FedEx, one of the main supporters of the nonprofit. The shipping company not only maintains the aircraft but continues to provide parts, expertise, and logistics whenever needed. Other long-time supporters include Omega, the Forbes family, and several private donors who help keep the mission flying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintaining 50+ year old aircraft<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Despite being built in 1973, the aircraft still runs seamlessly. Valerie Suberg, senior manager of aircraft maintenance at Orbis, said that she is thankful to careful upkeep and the continued support from FedEx. \u201cThe airplane, even though it\u2019s old, we can still get it fixed,\u201d she noted. \u201cFedEx sends us anything we need, parts, tools, whatever keeps the aircraft flying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Valerie<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Valerie Suberg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Orbis maintenance crew is small but highly experienced, made up mostly of former FedEx mechanics who know the DC-10 model inside out. Suberg explains that while sourcing parts for older planes can sometimes be difficult, suppliers around the world still carry components for these aircraft. \u201cThere are still DC-10s flying,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd we have suppliers who specialise in them.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Months-long preparation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The process of training staff in another country usually involves vigorous preparation, from maintenance in the receiving country\u2019s airport to the hospital\u2019s needs. The Orbis team has to know the host country\u2019s airport and health facilities long before the plane even takes off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bruce Johnson, director of aircraft operations at Orbis, said that planning often begins more than a year in advance. \u201cWe start working 12 to 18 months before a programme to make sure everything is up to standard,\u201d he said. \u201cThat includes the anaesthesia machines, the airflow, and all the medical supplies needed for the eye exams and surgeries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bruce<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bruce Johnson<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"'Flying<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In some cases, Orbis also donates equipment to strengthen local hospitals. \u201cWe\u2019ve donated microscopes and other medical tools,\u201d Johnson explained. \u201cFor example, we\u2019re preparing for a programme in Peru in 2026, and we\u2019ve already donated hundreds of thousands of dollars\u2019 worth of equipment to help them get ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the aircraft arrives, it is met by a local support team that ensures the airport can handle a plane of this size and that all logistical requirements are in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between missions, the crew resupplies and inspects the plane, preparing it for the next destination. \u201cThe airplane is the most visible part of what we do,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cBut it\u2019s only about 20 per cent. The rest happens through our hospital-based programmes, regional offices, and our Cybersight platform that trains and mentors doctors remotely.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why eyes?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Johnson said the answer lies in how deeply vision connects to every part of a person\u2019s life. \u201cThe body is so interconnected,\u201d he explained. \u201cIf a child has an eye problem early on and it isn\u2019t treated, the brain will shut that eye off. That person becomes permanently blind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many countries, blindness can mean being excluded from education or work, and that loss affects entire families. \u201cIf one person can\u2019t work, another has to stay home to care for them. That\u2019s two people out of the economic picture,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Flying Eye Hospital touched down in Dubai last week for a few days for Orbis\u2019 ‘Goodwill Tour’, and its next mission will be in Rwanda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Khaleej times<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Published: 8 October 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Orbis maintenance crew is small but highly experienced, made up mostly of former FedEx mechanics who know the DC-10 model inside out Once a dusty old cargo plane, this 1973 FedEx aircraft has been given a second life. Instead of carrying packages across continents, it now carries hope, for inside this sleek silver fuselage […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":33913,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[4571,930,4982,4980,4981],"class_list":["post-33912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-aviation-innovation","tag-dubai-airport","tag-flying-eye-hospital","tag-humanitarian-mission","tag-medical-training-facility"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33912"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33912\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33914,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33912\/revisions\/33914"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33913"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elite-bricks.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}