Seattle, Wash.
August 21, 2003

The Museum of Flight announces the opening of its Birth of Aviation exhibit and the arrival of the touring Wright brothers exhibit, the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) Countdown to Kitty Hawk, presented by Ford Motor Company, on Saturday, Aug.23, 2003. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of powered flight, The Museum of Flight's Birth of Aviation exhibit reveals untold stories of Orville, Wilbur and their sister Katharine Wright and their struggles to turn an invention into an industry. Highlights of the exhibit will be never-before-displayed early documents of The Wright Co., long believed to have been lost or destroyed.

EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk, is a touring pavilion that features the 1903 Wright Flyer reproduction scheduled to fly at Kitty Hawk, N.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2003, in the re-creation celebration honoring the Wright brothers' first powered flight. The exhibit also features Microsoft 1903 Wright Flyer Simulators that allow visitors to use their hands, hips and heads to attempt to relive the Wright brothers' first flight. Seattle is the only West Coast stop for the Countdown to Kitty Hawk Pavilion.

"We are very excited to be able to present such an extensive exhibit to the public. The centennial celebration of flight is a momentous occasion, and we feel privileged to be teamed up with EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk to help commemorate this event," said Ralph Bufano, president and CEO of The Museum of Flight.

"The eyes of the world will descend on Kitty Hawk, N.C., as we recreate history in 118 days on the 100th anniversary of the flight," said Randal Dietrich, executive director of Countdown to Kitty Hawk. "Thus far, more than 200,000 visitors in four cities have marveled at EAA's 1903 Wright reproduction and experienced the first flight in Microsoft's simulator cradles. EAA's visit to Seattle, combined with the Museum's Birth of Aviation exhibit, will offer a rewarding and fun educational experience for all."

Both exhibits will be open to the public on Saturday, Aug. 23, and both are included in Museum admission: seniors: $10; adults (18-64): $11; youth (5-17): $6.50; and children (4 and under): free. EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk runs through Monday, Sept. 1, 2003, and The Birth of Aviation will be open through Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004. The Museum of Flight is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the first Thursday of every month until 9 p.m.

The independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world. The Museum's collection includes more than 135 historically significant air and spacecraft, including America's first presidential jet. Also featured at the Museum are virtual reality simulators, interactive exhibits and hands-on youth areas and programs. The Museum of Flight is one of only nine museums in Washington that is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums. http://www.museumofflight.org

The Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) Countdown to Kitty Hawk is a centennial celebration of the Wright brothers' first powered flight - an innovation that forever changed our world. Led by EAA, presented by Ford Motor Company and supported by Microsoft Flight Simulator, Eclipse Aviation and Northrop Grumman Corp., this yearlong series of inspirational events honors the innovation and determination it takes to make world-changing dreams a reality. Countdown to Kitty Hawk features an interactive touring pavilion and the world's most-accurate 1903 Wright flyer reproduction built by The Wright Experience that will exclusively re-enact the Wright brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., on Dec. 17, 2003 - exactly 100 years later. http://www.countdowntokittyhawk.org

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for PC gaming, Xbox® video game system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse game portfolios for the PC (http://www.microsoft.com/games/), including such franchises as "Age of Empires®," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon®"; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/), including such franchises as "Halo®," "Project Gotham Racing®" and "NFL Fever"; and Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/), the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as "Bejeweled" and "OutSmart(tm)."

Media Contacts:

Hamilton McCulloh
The Museum of Flight
206-910-9797
www.museumofflight.org

Rebecca Holmes
Microsoft Flight Simulator
206-852-0652
www.microsoft.com/games/flightsimulator

Jonathan Rhudy For
EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk
804-852-8392
www.countdowntokittyhawk.org