Will Work Together to Promote 100th Anniversary of Powered Flight
Washington, D.C.
Nov. 21, 2001
The
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission (COFC) and EAA the world's
leading recreational aviation organization based in Oshkosh, Wis.,
have signed a memorandum of agreement to jointly publicize the celebration
of the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight in 2003.
As a result of this agreement, the COFC will provide national outreach
support for the campaign, EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk presented
by Ford Motor Company. In turn, EAA will help promote the Commission's
national campaign, Centennial of Flight: Born of dreams. Inspired
by freedom.
EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk presented by Ford Motor Company is
a series of activities and events to celebrate the 100th anniversary
of Orville and Wilbur Wright's 1903 achievement. The centerpiece
of the celebration will be the flight of EAA's 2003 Wright Flyer
- the most accurate reproduction of the original 1903 Wright Flyer
- at Kill Devil Hills, N.C., on Dec. 17, 2003. The world will watch
as EAA attempts to re-create this historic event exactly 100 years
to the minute of the Wright brothers' flight. EAA's Wright flyer
will also be shared with Americans during a nation-wide tour at
various aviation celebrations and events.
"The Wright brothers represent innovation, dedication and a
sense of adventure - the same qualities that lie at the heart of
EAA and its members," said Tom Poberzny, president of the EAA.
"We look forward to bringing that historic moment back to life
on December 17th, 2003 from the sands of Kitty Hawk."
"One of the Commission's fundamental tasks is to educate the
public about the centennial," COFC Chairman General J.R. ("Jack")
Dailey said. "EAA's tour of the 1903 reproduction is an important
educational tool because it is so historically accurate. Our hope
is that the reconstructed Flyer reignites the spirit of adventure
and innovation that existed in the Wright brothers 100 years ago."
The U.S. Congress created the COFC to coordinate the celebration
of the 100th anniversary of powered flight. A national awareness
campaign, Centennial of Flight: Born of dreams. Inspired by freedom.
will promote activities, such as EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk presented
by Ford Motor Company, which commemorate the past 100 years of flight.
Organizations that work closely with the COFC will receive recognition
as participants in the national campaign.
A complete listing of Centennial 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 EAA:
EAA is the world's leading recreational aviation organization, with
170,000 members and more than 975 local chapters. For more information
on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or
explore EAA's World Wide Web site (www.eaa.org).
EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk presented by Ford Motor Company will
celebrate the centennial of the Wright brothers' first flight by
re-creating it in December 2003 at Kitty Hawk, N.C. More information
about the EAA's campaign can be found on the Web at www.countdowntokittyhawk.com.
Contact:
Christian
Markow
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
804.675.8153
cmarkow@crtpr.com
Randal
Dietrich
EAA
920.426.6129
rdietrich@eaa.org