Dayton, Ohio
April 2, 2003

The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) announced today actor and pilot, Harrison Ford, as the Master of Ceremonies for its 2003 Pioneers of Flight Homecoming on Saturday, July 19, at the Dayton Convention Center. A top Hollywood box office draw, Ford is also a proficient and experienced private pilot, owning and flying several aircraft and a helicopter.

The Homecoming will take the place of the NAHF s traditional annual enshrinement event, which has been suspended in deference to 2003 being the Centennial Anniversary of Powered Flight. Instead, the Homecoming will salute the collective contributions of all 178 individuals inducted (to date) by the NAHF. A major feature of the formal dinner and gala is an onstage reunion of and salute to its living enshrinees, including test pilots, inventors, industry leaders and astronauts.

Among the nearly two dozen enshrinees scheduled to participate are astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the first two men on the lunar surface; Paul Tibbets, who led the Atomic missions that ended World War Two; test pilot A. Scott Crossfield, the first man to exceed Mach 2 and 3; and John Glenn, the first American to orbit the earth in 1962 and who returned to space in 1998 as a shuttle crew member at the age of 77.

2,000 guests are anticipated to attend the Homecoming, considered by many to be the largest gathering of such aviation legends in the country during the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers first powered flight. Tickets are $150 each and available from the National Aviation Hall of Fame by advance registration by calling (937) 256-0944 x10 or on the web at http://www.nationalaviation.org.

NAHF Executive director, Mike Jackson, said, We re delighted to have a true Hollywood icon who is also a bona fide pilot serve as our emcee for the Homecoming. Our annual enshrinement has long been acclaimed as the Oscar Night of Aviation, a reputation only magnified with Mr. Ford leading this year s special enshrinee salute.

In a letter accepting the NAHF s invitation to serve the Homecoming as emcee, Ford said, Many of the Hall of Fame enshrinees have served to inspire my own aviation endeavors. From what I have learned so far, your unique Centennial event offers a great time and place to reflect on this people side of our aviation history while also looking forward into the next century of flight.

Ford first began flight training in his early twenties, a process soon halted by the $15 per hour cost for an instructor and plane rental. Some thirty years later, his aviation aspirations were rekindled in part by having spent many hours as passenger in the Gulfstream IV jet owned by Ford for his business needs. In the mid 90 s, he earned a private pilot license and, later, his helicopter rating. Ford continues to train with professional instructors on a regular basis, but is quick to point out that he is just another pilot.

While playing the role of a deHavilland Beaver pilot in the making of the movie Six Days/Seven Nights, Ford did much of his own flying and went on to acquire his own example of this rugged aircraft, ideally suited for flying to and from his home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. His helicopter rescue in Wyoming of not one but two hikers in distress on separate occasions elevated the public awareness of Ford s aviation skills, which also include piloting his aircraft in support of various environmental interests.

The National Aviation Hall of Fame was founded in 1962 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1964, dedicated to honoring America s outstanding air and space pioneers. A non-profit 501(c)(3), it is supported primarily through membership dues and the contributions of individuals, corporations and foundations. In January 2003 the NAHF opened its Learning and Research Center, featuring displays and interactive exhibits about its enshrinees that serve as the basis for educational programs to be launched later this year. Located in Dayton adjacent to the United States Air Force Museum, admission to the public is free.

For more information call (937) 256-0944 x10 or visit http://www.nationalaviation.org.

Editors note: A photo is available by visiting the Enshrinement page of our website at www.nationalaviation.org, or contact Ron Kaplan directly with any specific production requirements.

Media contact:

Ron Kaplan, NAHF Deputy Director
TEL: (937) 256-0944 x16
CEL: (937) 367-8536
rkaplan@nationalaviation.org