Summary: The Centennial or Flight Commission (Commission) has been tasked with encouraging, promoting and coordinating the centennial of powered flight in the United States and to take a leadership role with other nations in recognizing the importance of aviation history. Commission membership includes: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); the National Air and Space Museum (NASM); the North Carolina First Flight Centennial Foundation; and, the Ohio 2003 Committee. A sixth Commission member was selected in FY 2000. In addition, a 17 person advisory board will support the Commission's work.
Significant FY 1999 Actions: During FY 1999, issues raised by the Executive Branch on the Commission's structure and focus were resolved by legislation passed in September 1999. Announcements for a sixth Commission member and Executive Director appeared in the Federal Register. Development of a communications plan, web rite end logo designs began, as well as procurement of web server hardware.
Structure Resolution: When the President signed the original Commission legislation, "appointment clause issues" were noted including: logo design and regulation; and, potential conflict of interest issues for the non-federal Commission members. In September 1999. Congress passed a bill correcting these issues.
Selection of the Sixth Commissioner: In FY 1999, an advertisement for the sixth commissioner appeared in the Federal Register. Selection of the sixth Centennial of Flight commissioner was moved to FY 2000.
Change in Acting Chair, Centennial or Flight Commission: During FY 1999 VADM Donald 0. Engen, Director of the National Air and Space Museum and the Acting Chair of the Centennial of Flight Commission, died in a plane crash. Donald S. Lopez, the Acting Director of the National Air and Space Museum assumed the role of Acting Chair of the Centennial of Flight Commission.
Selection of the Permanent Chair, Centennial of Flight Commission: Selection of the Chair. Centennial of Flight Commission wm moved to FY 2000.
Selection of the Executive Director for the Commission: In FY 1999, an advertisement for the Executive Director appeared in the Federal Register. Selection of a permanent Executive Director was moved to FY 2000.
Funding: In FY 1999, the FAA appropriation included S250,000 to support the Commission's work . As authorized by the FAA and NASA administrators, these funds were used to support developing a communications plan, web site and logo design for the Commission. Funds were also authorized to procure hardware to support the web server.
Communications Plan, Wcb Site and Logo Design: SAlC and their subcontractor Hill and Knowlton and Groff Creative were contracted to develop and produce the communications plan, web site and logo design. The results of the work were presented to the Commission in FY 2000.
Expenditures: Expenditures for FY I999 included: SAlC for the communications plan, web site and logo design for $209,000. The web server was procured for $4 1,000.
*This report war prepared by the staff of/the National Air and Space Museum at the request of the Commission 's interim Executive Director and provided on April 21, 2000.