Raleigh, NC
May 8, 2003

Join us for the Grand Opening of the new Pilot Facility at Wright Brothers National Memorial on Saturday, May 10 at Wright Brothers National Memorial. Pilots may fly in to Dare County Regional (MQI) Airport. Thanks to AOPA, the free shuttle buses will start running at 7 a.m. this Saturday morning to take pilots from MQI to the park for special tours before and after the opening.

The Grand Opening festivities will begin at 12:30, and we invite you to see the new facility, enjoy a free hot dog, take a look at the AOPA Centennial of Flight Sweepstakes Waco UPF-7 biplane, and have a chance to win a Centennial of Flight Sweepstakes leather bomber jacket.

"We want to share the excitement of the 100th Anniversary of Powered Flight," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Sponsorship of the permanent Pilot Facility is a very appropriate way for AOPA members to honor the Wright brothers' legacy and the generations of pilots who have followed them in flight. I hope pilots will fly in to join us."

"The National Park Service is very grateful to AOPA for the donation of the new Pilot Facility at Wright Brothers National Memorial," said Lawrence A. Belli, NPS superintendent of the Outer Banks Group. "Partners like AOPA and the First Flight Centennial Foundation have been the cornerstone of the First Flight Centennial Celebration."

The Pilot Facility has the distinction of being the only new permanent public structure on this historic site for the Celebration, thanks to the vision and commitment of AOPA.

PAVILION PROGRESS

Mark your calendar and join us for the festivities to celebrate the First Flight Centennial Pavilion ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, May 21 at 10:00 am at Wright Brothers National Memorial.

The crews from Waldt Construction and the National Park Service are hard at work coordinating the systems and exhibitor requirements that will come together and allow this 20,000 square foot semi-permanent facility to inspire and educate at least 4 million visitors over the next five years.

In the photo below (thanks to our architects, Moser Mayer Phoenix and Associates, P.A.), you see the frame for the hangar door on the end of the Auditorium that faces the Monument. The hangar door will allow historic and vintage aircraft to be displayed inside the Auditorium. If you are interested in displaying your aircraft, let us know the details and we'll pass that along to the National Park Service.

RESERVED SEATING AND GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS

The Foundation invites you to join us as an honored guest at the Celebration through membership in the Centennial Circle. Benefits for member and a guest include reserved seating, hospitality, access to limited hotel reservations, two general admission tickets and special invitations. Membership begins with a contribution of $2,003, tax-deductible to the full extent allowed. Additionally, your contribution is eligible to be matched through our U.S. Mint Commemorative Coin program, doubling your investment in a better Wright Brothers National Memorial. Visit the web site or e-mail us for more information on this limited opportunity (offered on a first-come, first-served basis and moving quickly).

General admission tickets are available online at www.wrightbrothers.reserveworld.com or by calling 1-800-973-7327. All information on the First Flight Centennial Celebration can be accessed at the Centennial website on www.firstflightcentennial.org.

CELEBRATE THE FIRST FLIGHT AND THE FIRST CENTURY OF AVIATION INNOVATION

This Curtiss-Wright poster features the 1903 Wright Flyer soaring over the sands - with the shadow of a B2 Spirit bomber beneath it, signifying 100 years of flight. Size is 36" x 24". The timeline across the bottom depicts various planes produced by Curtiss-Wright or benefiting from their components over the past 100 years. Curtiss-Wright is an Official First Flight Centennial Sponsor. Poster exclusive to the First Flight Centennial General Store. Click on the thumbnail at left to see a better image!

GREAT SELECTION OF OFFICIAL APPAREL

As with all official First Flight Centennial® commemoratives,
a portion of sales benefits the charitable objectives of the Foundation, including improving Wright Brothers National Memorial. Look for the official logo to shop right! This 100% cotton cap features the First Flight Centennial® sunburst logo embroidered in yellow thread with the 1903 Wright Flyer on the front of the cap. Click on the thumbnail at left to visit the online store.

FIRST FLIGHT CENTENNIAL WINE NOW AVAILABLE

The First Flight Centennial® wine collection from Windsor Vineyards is perfect for your centennial celebrations!

For licensed businesses in North Carolina, First Flight Centennial wine and champagne is now available for purchase through Mutual Distributing Company of Elizabeth City, NC. To order this special commemorative, contact David Vines at (252) 338-9309.

To tell others how to get on this free e-mail list, simply refer them to this subscription site.

P.O Box 80337
Raleigh, NC 27623
Tel: 919-840-2003