2 planes at Dayton Air Show fly across world to help in disasters

The Orbis Flying Eye Hospital is unlike any aircraft you’ve seen before. The plane is  “a state-of-the-art teaching facility complete with operating room, classroom and recovery room - this amazing aircraft has been an example of the marriage between medicine and aviation since 1982.”

Air show spectators can take a look inside of the plane this weekend to learn more about the missions the team takes across the world. The plane has a space to train doctors, nurses and medical technicians.

“Volunteer Faculty train local doctors both on board the aircraft and at the local hospital, providing education that is both high-quality and practical for when the Flying Eye Hospital departs,” according to the organization.

The plane is flown by FedEx pilots who volunteer their time to maneuver the Orbis to countries around the world, a spokeswoman told this news organization.

Samaritan’s Purse International Relief 

Since 1975, Samaritan’s Pursed has used an aircraft to transport doctors and relief workers along with tons of food, medicine, shelter materials, blankets and other items to aid victims of natural disasters, war, famine and other emergencies. Pilot George Kalbfleisch, director of flight operations and captain for Samaritan’s Purse, said the one-of-kind plane has completed 94 missions since its inception in April 2016.

Last year with several natural disasters and hurricanes, the aircraft completed 44 missions in 90 days. From Iraq to Ecuador, the team mobilizes with an inflatable hospital and drops equipment and products needed after a country or town is destroyed.

“The importance of the plane is that we can immediate deploy tons of cargo, and transport the doctors and relief workers at the same time. It puts the help directly into the hands of people in need,” he said.

Follow reporter Kara Driscoll for live updates at the Dayton Air Show.