In the mid-1970s a great idea was born when Dr. David Paton started "Project Orbis" a flying eye hospital and ophtalmological school. The idea was to teach the skills of modern ophtalmolocigal surgery in the developing countries. United Airlines cooperated with project Orbis since its early days and donated a DC-8 which was converted into the first flying teaching hospital. 
In 1982, project Orbis started its first mission and visited more than 40 countries until 1992. Some years before, Orbis realized that the DC-8 was too small and too old (it was the fourth DC-8 to be built and one of only a hand full of non-fanned jets at that time!) and looked for a larger aircraft. With generous donations, including again donations from United,
46501/ 2 (the second DC-10) was purchased and converted to the new flying eye hospital. In 1992, the new aircraft started for its first mission in Beijing/China. Although 46501/ 2 is the second oldest DC-10, it has still an expected long life because of its low number of flight hours. This DC-10 now flies to several countries all over the world carrying hope for millions of eye patients in developing countries.The doctors on this plane change from time to time and are all volunteer as well as the pilots. On September 11th 2001, the date of the terrorists attack on New York and Washington, ORBIS ceased operations, but resumed them in July 2002.
Photos:
Right: #2 in Kaoshiung on August 12th 1999 - BY WILLIAM SU
Left: The surgery room viewed from the wing of the plane. Note the new logo! - BY PIERRE LEROUX - Project ORBIS
