N330AU - Oldest active DC-10
I was interested to learn that the current oldest DC-10 still active today is used to bring training to doctors and nurses in developing countries with little access to professional development and training.
Fifty-one year old N330AU was donated by FedEx in 2010 and stored for a few years during conversion before Orbis revealed its third-generation Flying Eye Hospital in 2016.
This DC-10 is line #96 and was originally delivered to Trans International Airlines (N101TV) in April 1973 as a DC-10-30CF passenger/cargo convertible aircraft (photo below). Trans International Airlines changed its name to Transamerica Airlines in 1979.
The aircraft was briefly leased to Nigeria Airways (1979) and Air Florida (1981 - photo below)) before being acquired by FedEx in 1984. It was re-registered N301FE and converted to all cargo.
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Click the icon to view a video of N330AU departing Moffett Field near San Francisco.
