Washington, D.C.
February 5, 2003

The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission is pleased to announce that Rockefeller Center in New York City and the Space Day Foundation have joined the Centennial of Flight: Born of Dreams - Inspired by Freedom commemoration celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first powered flight.

"Rockefeller Center and the Space Day Foundation will help the Commission to expand its reach dramatically," J.R. "Jack" Dailey, chairman of the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission and director of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, said. "These two organizations will increase awareness of the Centennial through events and publicity reaching hundreds of thousands of people each, sharing the stories of the Wright brothers and the pioneers of flight who followed them, and proving that determination, innovation and passion can make our dreams a reality."

Rockefeller Center will host a major exhibit of historic aircraft from July 28 - Aug. 17, 2003. "GE Presents Centennial of Flight at Rockefeller Center" will include full-scale replicas of historic aircraft from the Wright Flyer through every era of aviation history. The centerpiece of the exhibit will be the Aerospace Park on the Rockefeller Center Plaza, which will include a full-scale replica of the Mercury Redstone Rocket. The model rocket is an exact replica of the original 75-foot rocket currently residing at the Kennedy Space Center and will be placed on the same site as the world famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. The exhibit will also include replicas from aviation's pioneer period, World War I, the Golden Age and World War II, as well as full-scale replicas of the Lunar Module and the Space Shuttle cockpit.

Rockefeller Center is the site of numerous public exhibits and events. Each day an estimated 250,000 people walk through the Rockefeller Plaza complex, which is home to the most famous Christmas tree in the world.

General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) is the presenting sponsor for the Centennial of Flight celebration at Rockefeller Center. GE is the world's leading maker of jet engines for commercial and military use and has played a leading role in developing aviation technology. Beginning with the invention of the first turbosupercharger in 1918, GE has been responsible for some of the most significant achievements in aviation history including the first U.S. jet engine, the first Mach 3 engine and, most recently, the GE90-115B, the world's most powerful commercial jet engine.

The Space Day Foundation provides a platform around which diverse organizations in government, business and education can convene to develop programs and generate resources that will help motivate students to pursue careers in math, science, engineering and technology, using space as a motivating catalyst. The Foundation is guided by a prestigious Council of Advisors, co-chaired by former Senator John Glenn and Dr. Vance Coffman, CEO and chairman of Lockheed Martin Corporation, and a Board of Directors. In addition, over 75 Space Day Partners and Associates representing a wide array of nonprofit, governmental, educational and corporate organizations play a major role in supporting Space Day events and activities across North America, collaborating to develop and implement Space Day educational programs.

Other partners in the Centennial of Flight: Born of Dreams - Inspired by Freedom celebration include: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA); Aviation Week's The Next Century of Flight; EAA; Fayetteville Festival of Flight; Federal Aviation Administration; First Flight Centennial Commission and First Flight Centennial Foundation of North Carolina; Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003; NASA; the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum; and the U.S. Air Force.

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 throughout 2003. More information about the Commission and the yearlong commemoration can be found online at www.centennialofflight.gov

Contact:

Christian Markow
804.675.8153
cmarkow@crtpr.com