Mighty Planes

This McDonnell Douglas DC-10 has been reborn as a first-rate and world's only eye-hospital in the sky. The ORBIS brings its state-of-the-art operating room, laser treatment facility, and high-tech classrooms to developing countries all over the world... that is, when it can reach them. Follow this hospital with wings as it attempts to reach Mongolia, a mission plagued by a series of setbacks that threaten to derail the trip entirely.

When firefighters are powerless to extinguish wildfires on the ground, Martin Mars is the go-to aircraft to battle blazes from above. This water bomber is the world's largest seaplane with 8,000 missions under its belt, but this next assignment may be the toughest one yet. Take to the skies and witness an aerial assault against one of the worst fire seasons in Mexico's history. Over 16 days, this mighty plane will scoop and dump more than half a million tons of water on the flames, but mechanical breakdowns, severe weather, and exhaustion threaten to end the mission first.

A revolution in aircraft design, the Airbus A380 is the word's largest and first double-decker passenger airliner. With room for more than 500 passengers, a tail as high as an eight-story building, and a wingspan nearly the length of a football field, this massive commercial airliner is a game changer. But it's also a big gamble for Lufthansa. Take flight on this mighty plane's maiden journey from Frankfurt, Germany to San Francisco, California as they try to win over customers and maximize profits. If the flight is successful, this Airbus may force other airlines to go big or go home.

The Hercules Skibird is the go-to aircraft for tough jobs in frozen places, and it's just 48 hours away from one of its most challenging missions yet. Follow this mighty plane and its dedicated crew to the top of the world as they prepare to evacuate climate scientists from Greenland's icy terrain. This mission will push the team and their powerful cargo plane to the limit as they attempt to fly, land, and take off in a country that holds the record for the worst flying conditions on the planet.

Flying cargo into deadly war zones is all in a day's work for mighty plane C-5M Super Galaxy. The C-5 is the U.S. Air Force's largest and most powerful plane; follow its mission to Afghistan.

The Antonov 124, the king of cargo aircrafts can air lift trains, tanks, whales, even other planes. Witness the obstacles this mighty plane and its crew must overcome to complete the mission.