Samaritan’s Purse Aviation anunció the retirement of the legendary freighter Douglas DC-8 which will beá replaced by a Boeing 767. SPA's photo
At an event that markedó the transición of an era in aviationón humanitarian, Samaritan’s Purse withdrawsó officially your icónico avióload no. Douglas DC-8 afterés of almost a déevery service and más de 200 international missions. in parallel, se unió formally to the fleet on más modern in comparisonón grandfatheróload no. Boeing 767, what to expandá significantly the response capacity of the organizationón.
El Histórich DC-8 from Samaritan's Purse
The Douglas DC-8, a milestone in the era of the commercial jetliner and the único DC-8 operational in the USA, cerró a Capeíthree monumental. Rescued and restored from an airplane graveyard, this four-engine jetón becameó on the workhorseéSamaritan's Purse inmate, transporting más de 9 million pounds of humanitarian aid cargo.
Its historical valueórich in the world of aviationódon't combineó with an incalculable global impact, delivering vital supplies to paíyou are from all over the world. ¿Becauseé I write these lídenies? Its story isá very linked to Ecuador, That's why it seemed to meó It is appropriate to dedicate a space to remember his important time in our country.ís. I'll tell you right away.
The inaugural flight to Ecuador
The first missionón of the DC-8 for Samaritan’s Purse in 2016 It was of great significance.. Tras la devastationón of magnitude earthquake 7.8 what a blowó a Ecuador, the grandfatherótake offó with crucial help for the víhonor. This first deployment demonstratedó the power of having your own aircraft to respond quickly and effectively to major disasters.
I bought Samaritan's Purseó the grandfatherón Douglas DC-8-72CF de 1968 to a friendñíaustralian cargo, just before it was scrapped, to streamline your disaster response, as it deploys personnel and supplies around the world. Samaritan’s Purse inspectionó, replaceó or reconditioningó cada centísquare meter of the avión to ensure it complied with m standardsárecent s of the FAA.
La misióThe end of the DC-8 was recent, transporting tons of aid to Jamaica after the scourge of the hurricaneácategory numbería 5 Melissa.
The replacement
The new Boeing 767 cargo takes over, representing a technological advanceólogical and logístatic for Samaritan’s Purse Mission Aviation Services fleet. By joining the fleet alongside the already operational Boeing 757, the 767 provideá:
- Greater Load Capacity: Allowá transport significantly more supplies in a single flight.
- Greater Reach and Efficiency: Your designño Modern twin-engine offers better fuel efficiency and greater flight range.
The impact of 767 it is already palpable. They are massesón inaugural transportó más de 290,000 supplemental food packets, blankets and other artíessential butts for women and girlsñyou in Gaza. A few weeks laterés, was instrumental in the response to Hurricaneán Melissa en Jamaica, highlighting the capacity of 767 to transport the organization's Emergency Field Hospitalón in a single flight —an operationón which previously requiresía múmultiple cargo planes.
This expansionón emphasizes the importance of logística aéarea specialized in humanitarian aid, ensuring that emergency equipment and supplies reach crisis points in the shortest time possible.
¿CuáTwo DC-8s remain active?
There are very few of these planes left flying and their operational end is approaching.. En base and informationón of the Internet úLast aircraft in conditionóflight numbers are:
- Kingman Airline Services matríN804DH with current status PARKED
- Skybus Jet Cargo matríOB-2059-P tickets with current status PARKED
- Skybus Jet Cargo matríOB-2231-P modules with current status ACTIVE
- Trans Air Cargo Service (TACS) foodí9S-AJO numbers with current status ACTIVE
Thank you DC-8 for your service, I extrañará.
