Seven organizations designated as partners in the celebration of 100 years
of powered flight
Washington,
D.C.
February 6, 2002
As
the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first flight approaches,
organizations across the country are preparing to take part in the
national celebration, Centennial of Flight: Born of Dreams -
Inspired by Freedom. The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission,
which is coordinating the celebration, recently announced the following
seven organizations have been designated as official partners of
the Commission: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
(AIAA); Aviation Week's The Next Century of Flight; Aviation
World's Fair 2003; EAA; First Flight Centennial Commission and First
Flight Centennial Foundation of North Carolina; and Inventing Flight:
Dayton 2003. These organizations were selected as partners because
they are developing and/or assisting in the development of major
activities to commemorate 100 years of powered flight.
"Centennial
partners have a huge impact on the success and outcome of the Centennial
celebration," Gen. J.R. "Jack" Dailey, Chairman of
the Commission, said. "These organizations have been given
partnership status because they have proven that their events and
materials are exceptionally relevant to the centennial of powered
flight or the history of aviation and have a strong educational
focus. Everyone has similar goals and objectives; by working together
we will only make the celebration stronger."
Each partner organization has a number of events and activities
planned in conjunction with the national celebration.
- AIAA's
Evolution of Flight Campaign is designed to mark the 100th
anniversary of powered flight; recognize the achievements of men
and women who challenged history; and lay the groundwork for the
next 100 years of innovation in aviation and space technology.
The AIAA will honor individuals in aerospace history, encourage
new talent in the sciences to ignite innovation in the aerospace
industries and bring the leaders of the community together to
shape a common vision for the future. Highlights of the campaign
include: The International Air and Space Symposium and Exposition.
The Next 100 Years., in Dayton, Ohio; 1903 Wright Flyer Tour and
Exposition; Class of 2003 Ambassadors; graduate awards/student
scholarships; student branch activities and a lecture series.
http://www.flight100.org/
- Aviation
Week's The Next Century of Flight is dedicated to helping
the global aerospace industry capitalize on the 100th anniversary
of powered flight and position itself for generations to come.
Since it was launched in 1998, The Next Century of Flight has
connected with millions of professionals and enthusiasts around
the world via original Aviation Week articles and essays, curriculum
support for students and teachers, and related partner programs,
all promoted by an integrated event and media marketing campaign.
http://www.aviationnow.com/NextCentury
- Aviation
World's Fair 2003 will be a celebration that embraces all
nations and all aspects of aviation. The Fair, which will be held
April 7-27, 2003 in Newport News, Va., will gather together the
global aerospace community to present the complete picture of
aviation, promote the unique contributions aviation has made to
society, and educate and inspire the next generation of aerospace
industry and aviation leaders. The event will be both a time capsule
of the past 100 years and a window through which to view the future
of aviation. http://www.awf2003.com/
- EAA's
centennial celebration, Countdown to Kitty Hawk presented by Ford
Motor Company, includes a series of activities to mark the 100th
anniversary of the Wright brothers' achievement. The centerpiece
of the celebration and a highlight of the Centennial events will
be the flight of EAA's 1903 Wright Flyer reproduction - the only
accurate flying reproduction of the original - at Kill Devil Hills,
N.C., on Dec. 17, 2003, 100 years to-the-minute of that remarkable
first flight. Tom Poberezny, president and CEO of EAA, is a Centennial
of Flight Commissioner and a nationally recognized authority on
significant contributions to aviation and the 1903 Wright Flyer.
http://www.countdowntokittyhawk.org/
- The
First Flight Centennial Commission is charged with developing
and planning activities to commemorate the centennial of the first
flight in North Carolina with Centennial partners nationwide.
The Commission's programs include public awareness, education
and special events. Activities in 2003 include: events at Wright
Brothers National Memorial December 13-17; Fayetteville Festival
of Flight May 16-26; World Flight 2003 invitational fly-in for
pilots; First Flight Symphony; North Carolina Class of 2003; and
legacy projects in the visual and performing arts at the Outer
Banks and across the state. http://www.firstflightnc.com/
-
The First Flight Centennial Foundation is located in North
Carolina. The Foundation's objectives include improving Wright
Brothers National Memorial, helping to produce the First Flight
Centennial event on site in December 2003, and sharing the story
of the Wright brothers and their achievements through specific
events and activities. The Foundation, which is a fundraising
partner of the National Park Service, has several major projects
planned, including: the construction of a semi-permanent centennial
pavilion at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, a gala series
and capital improvements to the Wright Memorial. Dick Howard,
president of the Foundation, is a Centennial of Flight Commissioner.
http://www.firstflightcentennial.org/
- Inventing
Flight: Dayton 2003 is charged with promoting aviation, the
Wright brothers, and the role of Ohio in the birth and future
of flight. The height of activities in Dayton will occur from
July 3-20, 2003, when Deeds Park, a 12-acre site near downtown
Dayton, will be transformed into Celebration Central. Other activities
will include: a hot air balloon race, Dayton Air Show, International
Airship Meet, National Aviation Hall of Fame Ceremonies, commissioned
symphonic works, photography exhibits, Inventing Flight Class
of 2003, curriculum and choreographed dance works. J. Bradford
Tillson, chairman of Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003, is a Centennial
of Flight Commissioner. http://www.inventingflight.com/
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. More information
about the Commission can be found on the U.S. Centennial of Flight
Commission Web site at http://www.centennialofflight.gov/
Contact: Christian
Markow
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
804.675.8153
cmarkow@crtpr.com
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