N330AU

This airframe, registered as N330AU, is a converted freighter based on a 1973 build by McDonnell Douglas bearing manufacturer serial number 46800. It is operated and owned by PROJECT ORBIS INTERNATIONAL INC, a corporation recorded in New York, NY, US, which has used the airplane in its specialized humanitarian and outreach missions. The airframe carries a civil US registration and is configured as a McDonnell Douglas MD-10 freighter conversion, reflecting a significant modification in avionics and cockpit layout. Condition highlights include the conversion to digital MD-10 systems and removal of the flight engineer station, making this example representative of legacy widebodies repurposed for non-standard missions.

The main deck of N330AU is outfitted with a forward cabin seating area arranged for classroom and crew use and interchangeable modular hospital units installed on the main deck, including an operating room, pre/post-op recovery spaces, laser facilities, and training spaces. Avionics are the MD-10 conversion digital suite with the original flight engineer station removed, streamlining two-crew operations and enhancing systems monitoring for long-range missions. Typical mission profiles for this airframe emphasize long-endurance ferry legs and on-site humanitarian or medical outreach flights originating from its New York base, with runway and maintenance needs driven by three high-thrust CF6 engines and non-standard interior systems. The modular hospital fit requires bespoke maintenance and periodic recertification of medical equipment integration and environmental control systems.

The McDonnell Douglas MD-10-30F is a modification of a classic tri-jet widebody, offering extended range and cargo/mission flexibility relative to earlier passenger MD-11 and DC-10 types. Competing models historically include later widebodies and converted freighters that provide similar payload-range tradeoffs; demand is strongest among operators needing large-volume, long-range platforms configurable for special missions. Maintenance and resale considerations focus on lifecycle support for CF6-50 engines, availability of MD-10 avionics parts, and the specialized costs associated with maintaining modular medical interiors.