Organizations Will Work Together to Promote 100th Anniversary of Flight

Washington, D.C.
Nov. 20, 2001

The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission (COFC) and the Aviation World's Fair (AWF) have signed a memorandum of agreement that will allow them to jointly promote the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight in 2003. As a result of this agreement, the Virginia-based event will receive the Commission's national outreach support. In turn, the AWF will help promote the overall national celebration Centennial of Flight: Born of dreams. Inspired by freedom.

The fair will be held at the Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport April 7-27, 2003, and will be the most comprehensive international event promoting the birth of the aviation industry. The event will gather together the global aerospace community to present the complete picture of aviation and educate and inspire the next generation of aerospace industry leaders. Global aerospace manufacturers will showcase their latest products, services, hardware, equipment and aircraft. The fair will be geared for business-to-business activity within the five main areas of flight - commercial aviation, general aviation, military aviation, vertical flight and space technology.

The COFC, which was created by Congress to coordinate the celebration of the 100th anniversary of powered flight, hopes to generate enthusiasm for the overall commemoration of the centennial by publicizing and fostering events and programs, such as the Aviation World's Fair, which will maximize the Centennial's exposure. "Our goal is to involve, educate and inspire the maximum number of people participating in centennial celebrations," said COFC Chairman General J.R. ("Jack") Dailey.

"This partnership will enable our organizations to increase our exposure in hopes of reaching that goal."
"The Aviation World's Fair will educate the public about the Wright brothers' epic triumph and other major milestones of the aviation industry," said Tom Kallman, CEO of the Aviation World's Fair. "Our objectives are very similar to those of the Commission - we both want to communicate the significance of the centennial and encourage the celebration of flight. We are looking forward to a successful partnership."

A complete listing of Centennial of Flight related events can be found on the Internet at www.centennialofflight.gov.

About the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission:
The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission was created by Congress to expand national and international interest in the commemoration of the centennial of powered flight. The Commission is coordinating a national outreach campaign and advising the President, Congress and federal agencies on the most effective ways to encourage and promote national and international participation in 2003. Its members include the director of the National Air and Space Museum, the administrators of NASA and the FAA, the presidents of the Experimental Aircraft Association and First Flight Centennial Foundation of North Carolina, and the chairman of Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003. More information about the Commission can be found on the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission Web site at www.centennialofflight.gov.

About the Aviation World's Fair:
The Aviation World's Fair, scheduled for April 7-27, 2003, at Newport News, Va., will gather together the global aerospace community to present, for the first time in history, the complete picture of aviation, to promote the unique contributions aviation has made to society and to educate and inspire the next generation of aerospace industry leaders. The three-week event will include activities within five areas of flight, including commercial aviation, general aviation, military aviation, vertical flight and space technology. For more information about the Aviation World's Fair, please visit www.aviation-worlds-fair.com.

Contact:

Christian Markow
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
804.675.8153
cmarkow@crtpr.com

Tom Kallman
CEO, Aviation World's Fair, Inc.
201.251.2600
info@aviation-worlds-fair.com