Organizations Will Work Together to Promote 100th Anniversary of
Powered Flight
Washington,
D.C.
Nov. 19, 2001
The
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission (COFC) and the First Flight
Centennial Foundation (the Foundation) of North Carolina have signed
a memorandum of agreement that will allow them to jointly promote
the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight
in 2003.
As one of the key participants in the national celebration year,
the Foundation is dedicated to helping commemorate the world's first
powered flight. The Foundation's main objective is to raise funds
to make urgently needed capital improvements to Wright Brothers
National Memorial, including major trail renovations and a new pilot
facility. The Foundation has already restored and re-dedicated the
Wright Monument. Its plans include coordinating a series of three
major flight-themed galas in North Carolina's metro areas, sponsoring
a U.S. Mint commemorative coin and the development of the First
Flight Centennial Pavilion - a semi-permanent structure at Wright
Brothers National Memorial, which will house aviation exhibits and
special programming for an anticipated 1 million visitors during
the centennial year. The Pavilion, which will open in early 2003,
will present a variety of themes including:
- The Outer Banks
- The Wrights Dayton
- The Wrights as Engineers
- Glider Experiments
- Powered Flight
- A Century of Flight
The COFC is coordinating the national awareness campaign, Centennial
of Flight: Born of dreams. Inspired by freedom., which
will promote activities commemorating the anniversary of the Wright
brothers' first flight. As a result of the agreement, the Commission
will work with the Foundation to promote its efforts in North Carolina
to a national and international audience.
According to Foundation president Richard T. Howard, "We are
pleased to have the formal support of the national commission. The
First Flight Centennial Pavilion, in particular, provides many centennial
groups with an opportunity to collaborate. I am proud that the Foundation
and our sponsors will provide that means of coming together to celebrate
the Wright brothers and the first century of flight at the site
where it all began."
"The sands of Kitty Hawk were an important part of the Wright
brothers first flight," said COFC Chairman General J.R. ("Jack")
Dailey. "The Foundation and the National Park Service are working
hard to restore and preserve the Wright brothers' monument. Their
work on that and on the Pavilion will help keep the spirit of the
Wright brothers alive. The Commission is looking forward to helping
them promote their efforts to a broader audience."
A complete listing of Centennial of Flight related events can be
found on the Internet at www.centennialofflight.gov.
About the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission:
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. Its members
include the director of the National Air and Space Museum, the administrators
of NASA and the FAA, the presidents of the Experimental Aircraft
Association and First Flight Centennial Foundation of North Carolina,
and the chairman of Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003. More information
about the Commission can be found on the U.S. Centennial of Flight
Commission Web site at www.centennialofflight.gov.
About
the First Flight Centennial Foundation:
The First Flight Centennial Foundation, a non-profit organization,
was formed in North Carolina for the purpose of celebrating the
100th anniversary of powered flight. The Foundation's objectives
include improving the 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. As a fundraising partner
of the National Park Service, the Foundation has the distinct honor
of providing opportunities for on-site recognition of sponsors and
donors, as well as designation as an Official First Flight Centennial®
Sponsor. For more information visit www.firstflightcentennial.org
Contact:
Christian
Markow
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
804.675.8153
cmarkow@crtpr.com
Ferg
Norton
First Flight Centennial Foundation
919.840.2003
fnorton@firstflightcentennial.org