First Appearance At Oshkosh Fly-In

One of the world's most unique examples of a humanitarian aircraft, the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital, will make its first appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2003, as the EAA gathering is be held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh on July 29-August 4.

The ORBIS aircraft, a modified DC-10 airliner, flies to developing nations around the world each year, working to save sight through hands-on training, public health education, and improved access to eye care. Since 1982, ORBIS has completed more than 480 programs in 81 countries. It has trained in excess of 55,000 ophthalmologists, nurses, biomedical engineers and other health care workers who, in turn, provide treatment and training in their countries. Worldwide, more than 24,600 patients have been directly treated by ORBIS volunteer doctors and more than 16 million people have received eye care from ORBIS-trained doctors.

"We are very pleased to welcome the ORBIS DC-10 flying eye hospital to EAA AirVenture this year," said Tom Poberezny, President of the Experimental Aircraft Association and AirVenture Chairman. "The outstanding work done by ORBIS and its volunteer doctors is a shining example of how aviation has changed the world over the first 100 years of powered flight. Through aviation, thousands of people have saved one of their precious commodities - their sight. We salute the work of those involved with the program and hope people discover more about their work while the aircraft is in Oshkosh."

During EAA AirVenture 2003, the ORBIS DC-10 will be parked on AeroShell Square, the event's showcase aircraft area. The airplane will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for tours each day, allowing AirVenture visitors to learn more about ORBIS' sight-saving work and how a large commercial airliner was transformed into a working hospital. In addition, ORBIS will have a small pavilion next to the aircraft that explains more about the organization's work.

The idea for a flying eye hospital began in the mid-1970s when Dr. David Paton, a Houston ophthalmologist, conceived the idea of an airborne, ophthalmologic teaching hospital. He wanted to bring American skills and expertise in ophthalmology to health personnel in developing countries. The high costs of tuition, international travel, and accommodations prevent the majority of doctors and nurses in developing countries from participating in overseas training programs. Even when they can afford to study abroad, their opportunity for direct clinical experience is limited because strict licensing laws often prevent them from performing surgery.

The first ORBIS aircraft, a DC-8 donated by United Airlines, took off on its first mission in 1982 when the staff of doctors, nurses and administrators flew to 14 countries and held programs that emphasized the hands-on transfer of surgical skills. Since then, ORBIS has expended its curriculum to include ophthalmologists, nurses, ophthalmic assistants, public health workers and biomedical engineers. The DC-8 was replaced with a fully outfitted DC-10 in 1994.

ORBIS is a non-aligned, non-profit global development organization whose mission is to preserve and restore sight by strengthening the capacity of local partners in their efforts to prevent and treat blindness.

FMI: www.orbis.org, www.eaa.org