Washington, D.C.
Oct. 22, 2003

Arizona's aviation history dates back almost as far as the Wright brothers' first powered flight. To celebrate, the state has joined the Centennial of Flight: Born of Dreams - Inspired by Freedom commemoration taking place throughout the world. The Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is the most recent group to join the effort, which is being coordinated by the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission. The two organizations have entered into a memorandum of agreement that will allow the Commission to provide outreach support to the Arizona Wing, which will in turn promote the national campaign.

The Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is collaborating with local museums, aviation-oriented organizations and Luke Air Force Base in presenting the Arizona Centennial of Flight Exhibition, which will trace the past 100 years of Arizona's aviation history. The event will highlight military aviation and the state's role in the defense of the nation in World War II, the Cold War period, Vietnam and the Middle East conflicts, as well as the impact aviation has had in shaping the state's growth and economy. Exhibits will include hands-on displays, artwork, photography and multimedia presentations on a wide variety of aviation related subjects, including the basics of flight, flight simulations and scale models of historically significant aircraft. In addition, "make and take" tables will be provided to allow visitors the opportunity to construct their own model aircraft.

"The Wright brothers may have worked in Ohio and flown in North Carolina, but the impact of their efforts has been felt throughout the world," J.R. "Jack" Dailey, chairman of the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission, said. "The Commission is pleased that the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force is choosing to celebrate the Wright brothers' achievements, and the efforts of all of the Arizonians who have shaped the last 100 years of aviation and aerospace."

The exhibition will run from Nov. 3 through Dec. 21 in the upper level of the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix. The event is free to the public and will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon - 6 p.m.

The U.S. Congress created the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission to coordinate the celebration of the 100th anniversary of powered flight. The national awareness campaign, Centennial of Flight: Born of Dreams - Inspired by Freedom, promotes activities that commemorate the past 100 years of flight. Organizations that work closely with the Commission will receive recognition as participants in the national campaign.

A complete listing of Centennial events can be found on the Internet at www.centennialofflight.gov.

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.

Contact:

Julie Breissinger
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
804.675.8167
jbreissinger@crtpr.com

Herb Zinn
Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force
602.250.3834
Herbert.Zinn@pinnaclewest.com