Hey Folks,

I vaguely remember reading a few years back about a foundation that owns a DC-10 converted into a flying hospital. They fly worldwide to provide aid in third-world countires. Their pilot staff is made up of many volunteer DC-10 pilots from FedEx, UAL (when they used to fly it) and other airlines.

Does any know the name of the foundation?

Thanks.

Orbis.

ORBIS | Saving Sight, Blindness Prevention & Treatment, Help the Blind

It's going to be converted into an MD10 after all the freighters are done.

Does anyone know any FedEx pilot(s) who is/are doing this? How does one get considered as a volunteer?

A couple of those old pharts in the photo look vaguely familiar:http://www.orbis.org/Default.aspx?cid=4838&lang=1

At least THEY retired

Thanks for the info!

DILLA if you are looking for a flying charity will you consider RAM? They really need the donations and they really do a world of good. They do vision as well as medical dental and even animal care for those in need all over the world. Their website is www.ramusa.org

They only have an old DC-3 and a Cessna but are always looking for pilots that have access to their own aircraft and are willing to fly them to remote locations. Maybe if you are in a frac. club they could help.

Can line swine volunteer to fly those trips or are they all filled with management types? I'd give up a week here or there to help that cause...
(Post training, of course...)

On the DC10 it's always standards pilots or management. Gary D. did alot of the trips (I saw him bring it into Oshkosh a few years ago). No idea how the MD will do it. I think they treat it like a pdo bump, and United provides non-rev travel to and from the plane. I've heard of some hellacious deadheads.

I guess no one has an answer for this question?

I would really like to volunteer to fly some of these missions . . but the web site does not take you anywhere that talks about it -or lets you sign up.

I signed up for the E-mail list, but got a "No Reply" address, which is not very helpful either . . for talking with a human who knows anything.

I think most if not all guys are either flex instructors or check airman. There are still a few retired Fed Ex and United pilots that keep current in the DC-10 and fly a few trips a year. I don't think there is any official sign up list, probably just need to talk to the senior check airman that do it.
They will probably need MD11/10 typed guys when the new DC-10 that United just donated gets converted in 2010 (the last MD10 conversion on the line)
I hear it is very rewarding.