AUGUST/SEPTEMBER ACTIVITY REPORT
The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission and the First Flight Centennial Federal Advisory Board joint meeting was held September 9, 2003, in Washington, D.C. The meeting was followed by a tour of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center led by General Dailey and Mr. Lopez. The AP wrote a story about the Commission meeting.
Brad Tillson has announced he will retire at the end of this calendar year from Cox Ohio Publishing and the Dayton Daily News.
Congratulations to everyone who worked tirelessly to makeWolf Trap’s Face of America 2003: A Celebration of Flight, on September 6, 2003, a huge success! Congratulations also go to those working hard to make the National Air Tour successful despite several weather set backs.
The Commission has signed two new Memoranda of Understanding – one with ShoreFest and the second with the Yugoslav National Aeroclub.
**Please continue to add your Centennial of Flight related events and activities to the Centennial calendar of events.**
Partnership Updates:
At 10:35 a.m. on December 17, 2003 -- 100 years to the moment from the Wright brothers' first flight -- either Terry Queijo or Kevin Kochersberger will attempt to re-create that historic achievement in an authentic reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer. The pilot will be determined by a coin toss, just as Orville and Wilbur did almost a century ago. Queijo is a pilot with American Airlines, where she flies 757's and 767's out of Washington, D.C. Dr. Kochersberger is a mechanical engineer, and is a professor at Rochester Institute of Technology.
On September 14, there was a one-hour television special on TLC featuring Rick Young and Tom Crouch.
The August issue of the NASA History newsletter contains an article on centennial of flight activities.
By Act of Congress, the U.S. Mint has produced a series of commemorative coins. The First Flight Centennial Commemorative Coins are now on sale and a portion of the proceeds will support the First Flight Centennial Foundation and the Wright Brothers National Memorial Park.
The September Communique, the new logo for Space Day 2004 and an educational flyer that can be used in support of your Space Day activities is available electronically.
The 366 FW, Mountain Home AFB, ID, has an air show called “Gunfighter Skies 2003.” Commission materials will be distributed.
The Air Force Auxiliary newspaper, The Civil Air Patrol News, will be using the Commission’s logo with the Commander’s column promoting the centennial of flight.
The September Partner Update in Aviation Week and Space Technology will feature Rockefeller Center.
The Technical Library at Eglin Air Force Base, FL, will have a “Celebrating 100 Years of Flight” display and Commission materials will be distributed.
The schedule for the opening of the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is as follows:
December 9, 2003 Aviation Veterans' Event (Open to all aviation veterans, ticket information available on the NASM Web site)
December 10, 2003 Gala (invitation only)
December 11, 2003 Ribbon Cutting (invitation only)
December 15, 2003 Open to the Public
The NASA History Office is pleased to announce a major new Web site, the Apollo 16 Flight Journal, by David Woods and Tim Brandt. It is now online at http://history.nasa.gov/ap16fj.
Raleigh, N.C., is launching the "YOUR FIRST FLIGHT TO EXPERIENCE FIRST FLIGHT" online sweepstakes. Enter before November 1, 2003 via the Internet at www.VisitRaleigh.com/flight. One lucky winner (and a child 13 or younger who has NEVER FLOWN BEFORE) will win the chance to FLY TO RALEIGH for a fun-filled weekend via American Airlines (an official First Flight Centennial sponsor), with a two-night stay at the Raleigh Crabtree Marriott and car rental provided by Thrifty, complete with IMAX movie tickets, admission to flight-related museum exhibits, festivals, free shopping and more. Visit the Web site for more information and to enter.
U.S. Air Force Museum Events – September/October 2003:
· U.S. SCALE MASTERS RADIO-CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT CHAMPIONSHIPS (Sept 24-28) – All-scale radio-controlled model aircraft flying and competitions. Public invited to view this judged event with top national competitors.
· AMERICAN KITEFLIERS ASSOCIATION GRAND NATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL (Sept 30-Oct 4) – The public is invited to view this judged event featuring top national kite competitors. Includes kite demonstrations.
Staff from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum have many speaking engagements throughout the centennial year on the Wright brothers or aspects of the invention of the airplane. September/October presentations include:
September 12: Public address to a group at Oatlands, Leesburg, VA
September 18: Lima, Ohio OSU Campus
October 1: Harmon Memorial Lecturer, USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
October 3: University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute
October 9-10: Wright State Aviation History Symposium
October 16: C.R. Smith Museum, Dallas, TX
October 25: Lighter-Than-Air Society, Akron, Ohio
Outreach Activity:
This fall, the Tuscarora Council of The Boy Scouts of America is having a big campout called a “Cuboree” and the theme is “100 Years of Flight.” Three hundred boys and their parents will attend and each Pack will build an airplane commemorating what the Wright brothers accomplished. COFC materials have been provided.
Governor of Oklahoma has proclaimed the month of December 2003 as “Oklahoma Centennial of Flight Month.”
The registration site for ShoreFest is www.jpl.nasa.gov/pso/shorefest2003.htm.
On October 25, 2003, “An Evening in 1903” will take place at the Paul Laurence Dunbar Library, Wright State University.
Responded to a request of the Chairman of the Board of Southwest Airlines Company to provide a script his pilots might use pertaining to the centennial of flight and the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
The Production Department of Comcast Cable in Merrillville, IN, is producing a 60- second public service announcement focusing on Northwest Indiana’s contributions to flight. The Commission logo will be used in the PSA.
The National Association of Purchasing Management Miami Valley affiliate in Dayton, Ohio, will use the Commission logo on its Web site. They are a not-for-profit association that provides training, education and networking programs for their membership.
America West Magazine requested help with a list of aviation and aerospace museums and halls of fame that they were putting together for an upcoming issue.
Arizona Centennial of Flight will use the Commission logo on the brochure that will be distributed at their upcoming Exhibition.
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority will be using the Commission logo on a give-away item for a customer appreciation celebration on December 17, 2003.
The Girl Scouts of the Golden Plains Council in Wichita, KS, are having an event to mark the centennial of flight that will involve 2000 girls and 500 adults. Commission material has been provided.
Commission logo will be used for a Celebration of the Centennial of Flight event in Fort Collins, CO. The Civil Air Patrol and the Colorado Department of Transportation – Aviation Division have planned a one-day teacher workshop for teachers in northern Colorado. There will also be an open house at the Fort Collins/Loveland Airport for the general public.
The Hawaiian Centennial of Flight Celebration has a new logo. The art work is by Darryll Akamine, the Graphic Artist with the State of Hawaii, DOT Airports Division. This art work follows a proclamation by Governor Linda Lingle sending the State Flag of Hawaii to Kitty Hawk, N.C., and urging the citizens of the state to join the national celebration of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight. Following the Governor’s proclamation, Rodney Haraga, Director of Transportation, and Davis Yogi, Airports Administrator, established The Hawaii Aviation Celebration Committee. Plans are being finalized for a major aviation event at Oahu's Kalaeloa John Rodgers Field. This event will include an air show, static display aircraft, aviation related booths, movies, carnival rides and a craft fair. On December 17 from 10 a.m. to noon there will be a Wright Brothers Commemorative Ceremony at the Kapiolani Bandstand followed by an aircraft fly-by along Waikiki Beach.
Bluegrass Airlines Web site will have a link to the Commission’s Web site. Their Web site is www.bluegrassairlines.com. They fly the “old propliners of yesteryear during the Golden Age of flying.”
Pittsburgh State University will be hosting an exhibit at the Kansas State Fair focusing on a number of centennials involving science and technology including the centennial of flight.
Merrill Field Airport in Anchorage, Alaska, organizes tours of the airport for the youth of its community. Commission materials will be distributed during the tours.
Summer 2003 AIA Executive Report has an article on the centennial of flight celebration. The AIA’s July 2003 “Celebrating Flight – 100 Years of Congressional Support of the U.S. Aerospace Industry, 1903 – 2003,” has introductory comments by Mr. Douglass on celebrating flight.
The International Aviation section of Transport Canada – Civil Aviation (the Canadian analog to the FAA) is planning an event December 7, 2003, to celebrate International Aviation Day.
The Aero Club of Pennsylvania’s Centennial of Flight celebration will have former Astronaut Joe Allen as their special guest. Commission materials have been provided.
City of Lancaster, CA, Aerospace Walk of Honor poster will include the Commission logo.
Pierce County, WA, airport will distribute Commission centennial materials.
The Neil A. Armstrong Silver Wings Chapter President made a presentation on the centennial of flight at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Commission material was distributed.
Lafayette Airport Commission, LA, will be distributing Commission materials at their Aviation Day celebration on October 11.
The “Birthplace of Aviation” gallery at The Ohio Wax Museum in Cleveland will distribute Commission materials.
Aviation Artist Kristin Hill has asked for high resolution images from the Commission Web site to use as reference material.
Channel 6 Advertising in Trepassey will be displaying our Born of Dreams – Inspired by Freedom theme.
Allen Parrish Airport in Oakdale, LA, will be distributing Commission materials.
The Jacksonville Public Library system will be doing special programming commemorating the centennial of flight. They will be using the Commission logo on their Youth Activities newsletter/brochure.
The gentleman playing Orville Wright at the Kittitas County Fair, Ellensburg, Washington, requested Commission materials.
The Pfizer Journal will be using information from the COFC Web site in an upcoming issue that will contain a timeline of flight.
Marge Bitetti has written a play entitled ”Bessica” that honors the memory of the first woman pilot in America, Bessica Faith Medlar Raiche. Ms. Bitetti can be reached at 909-279-0078.
P.M., the major German popular Science Magazine (circulation 450,000), will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a special issue and a special chapter about the Wright Brothers and the invention of airplanes. They will be using material from the Commission’s Web site.
Scientific American magazine is using images from the Commission’s Web site.
Fortune Magazine is up and running with a special section “One Hundred Years of Aviation,” which is endorsed by the First Flight Centennial Foundation. It will be published in their December 8th issue, which has an issue closing date of November 3, 2003.
Press Releases:
A number of press releases have been issued recently and are available on the COFC Web site. Releases are posted on the home page as well as in the media section.
September 22, 2003 – Web Games Offer Learning and Fun
September 10, 2003 – International Participation in Centennial Celebration Continues to Grow
September 9, 2003 – Millions Will View Aviation Nation Via Live AirsideTV Web Cast
September 8, 2003 – Historic Aircraft on the National Air Tour to Fill the Skies Across the United States after 72-Year Hiatus
September 3, 2003 – First Flight Centennial Ticket Sales Soar Worldwide
September 3, 2003 – 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Reunion Group to Host Symposium at the U.S. Air Force Museum
August 29, 2003 – U.S. Air Force Sponsors Wright Brothers Educational Curriculum
August 29, 2003 – U.S. Air Force Museum Offers Look ‘Behind the Scenes’
August 29, 2003 – World War I Aviation to Roar to Life at U.S. Air Force Museum
August 25, 2003 – National Park Service Releases Ticket Sales Update for First Flight Centennial Celebration
August 21, 2003 – Most Comprehensive Wright Brothers Exhibit in the World Set to Take Flight in Seattle
August 20, 2003 – Two EAA Aviation Specials Airing This Fall on Discovery Channels
August 19, 2003 – National Aviation Day Celebrations at Wright Brothers National Memorial
August 14, 2003 – Dayton Air Games Cancelled
August 13, 2003 – Aviation Greats Unite in Cleveland for Flight Centennial
August 13, 2003 – U.S. Air Force Band of Flight Performs Concert for “Those Magnificent Flyers” Art Exhibit at the Air Force Museum
August 12, 2003 – “Those Magnificent Flyers” Art Exhibit Opens at the U.S. Air Force Museum, Featuring the Paintings of James Dietz
August 12, 2003 – National Park Service Releases Ticket Sales Update for First Flight Centennial Celebration
August 11, 2003 – ‘A Century of Flight’ is the August Family Day Topic at the U.S. Air Force Museum
August 11, 2003 – U.S. Air Force Museum Dedicates New Full-Scale Model of Global Hawk UAV
August 8, 2003 – WolfTrap Gets its Wings with the World Premiere of a Unique, Cultural Experience
July 23, 2003 – The San Diego Aerospace Museum’s Spirit Flies Once More
Web site:
A wealth of new features have been added to the Commission Web site this month including games; new videos from David Garrigus; “This Day in Aviation History;” aviation museums; The Wright Experience’s 1903 Flyer, Part 2; and the Coffyn Collection.
The Web site Administrator from the Air Force Association is designing 10 foot high banners for the 100th anniversary of powered flight and will be using images from the Commission’s Web site.
The historian at Arnold Engineering Development Center, Arnold Air Force Base, TN, is using images from our Web site in his lectures and presentations.
The editor of Hangar Talk magazine will be using images and articles from the Commission Web site. National Airways Corporation, a general aviation company in South Africa, puts out the magazine.
A school in Germany is including images from the Commission’s Web site on their school home page. Their Web site is http://nibis.ni.schule.de/~pestarin/index.htm.
Oklahoma University will be using images from our Web site on a poster they are designing. This is a not for profit project funded by National Geographic.
The Research and Development Department of Student Leadership University, Orlando, FL, is using material from the COFC Web site.
Web Trends for August 2003 show 1.4 million hits to the Web site and approximately 65,000 unique visitors.
The designers at Elegant Resorts, the leading luxury holiday company in the UK, will be using images from the Web site for a December article in their magazine, Elegant Traveller.
Partners’ press releases have been added to the Web site. Please continue to send your press releases, and pictures if you have them, via e-mail to CRT to post on the site.
Educational Outreach Activities:
The Commission staff has been contacted by an extraordinary number of schools, including home schools, museums and libraries requesting copies of our educational resources and the exhibit. Examples include: R-MA Middle School, Front Royal, VA; St. Dominic School, Brick, NJ; Parkland High School, Winston-Salem, NC; Jardinski Family Homeschool, Lynden, WA; Apache Junction High School, Apache Junction, AZ; Woodside School, River Vale, NJ; Meadow Hill Middle School, Missoula, MT; By Grace Academy, Little Elm, TX; North School, Londonderry, NH; Ryan Library, Iona College, New Rochelle, NY; Rutherfordton Elementary School, Rutherfordton, NC; Sacred Heart Grammar School, Vineland, NJ; Shady Maples Christian Academy, Valley Falls, NY; Cornerstone Academy, Laddonia, MO; The Academy of Integrated Systems Technology, Fayetteville, NC; Jerro Academy, Lexington, KY; Westerville City Schools, Gahanna, OH; New Leaf School, Neptune Beach, FL; Maturango Museum, Ridgecrest, CA; La Sierra University Library, Riverside, CA; Harbison West Elementary, Columbia, SC; Northwood High School, Shreveport, LA; Lexington Intermediate School, Lexington, SC; Forest Park Elementary School, Portland, OR; Pollard School, Plaistow, NH; Ringwood Elementary School, Ringwood, OK; WS Academy, Powder Springs, GA; Sonshine Christian School, Winnfield, LA; Boy Scout Troop #852, Oak City, UT; Cornerstone Academy, Racine, WI; Office of Elementary Math and Science, State College, PA; History Department, Shippensburg, PA; Highbush Public School, Ontario, Canada; R Lil Schoolhouse, State College, PA; Norwell Middle School, Ossian, IN; St. Edward’s School, Vero Beach, FL; Venable Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA; K12 Academy, Upper Darby, PA; Special Education Service Staff, Churchville, PA; Huntley Middle School, Huntley, IL; CyberStorm Robotics Class and FLL Team, Lubbock, TX; Deep River Elementary School, Sanford, NC; Eastside Christian School, Fullerton, CA; Orville Wright School, Modesto, CA; Cub Scouts for their Scientist Badge in Ft. Worth, TX; Calico Rock Elementary School, Melbourne, AR; Webb Briton Academy, Arlington, TX; Kathy Seger Fairway Christian Academy, Concord, NC; St. Thomas More Elementary School, Chapel Hill, NC; St. Bernadette School, Monroeville, PA; Rose State College, Midwest City, OK; Harney Elementary School, Lebanon, IN; Lindale High School, Lindale, TX; Southeast Regional Library, Garner, NC; Mt. View Elementary, Marietta, GA; Taking Turns Homeschool, Greensboro, MD; Redwood Valley Elementary, Redwood Valley, CA; Hibbitt Middle School, Florence, AL; Hastings Public Library, Hastings, MI; Oskaloosa Junior High, Oskaloosa, IA; Cheat Lake Elementary School, Morgantown, WV; Harrison Junior High School, Harrison, AR; Tulsa City-County Library, Tulsa, OK; Dolvin Elementary School, Roswell, GA; Toebes Academy, Wake Forest, NC; Horizons School, Concord, CA; Cedar Creek Academy, Asheboro, NC; Forest Hills Academy, Lawrenceville, GA; St. Edward’s Lower School, Vero Beach, FL; Leonardo’s Children’s Museum, Enid, OK; Bright Star Christian Homeschool, Burlington, KY; The Garden of Eden Christian Homeschool, Taylor Mill, KY; SoBoCo Elementary School, Ashland, MO; Director of Education, Children’s Museum of Maine, Portland, ME; Bellizzi Middle School, Hartford, CT; Hands on Homeschooling, Flower Mound, TX; Fred L. Wilson Elementary School, Concord, NC; All Saints, Tyler, TX; Bayshore Elementary School, Anchorage, AK; Royal Lane Academy for Boys, Somerset, KY; Cub Scout Pack #984 from Fairfield, OH; Daleville Elementary School, Daleville, IN; Childress Heritage Museum; Mayde Creek Elementary School, Houston, TX; Crab Orchard Elementary School, Crab Orchard, KY; Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, NC; Avon Lake Public Library; St. Joseph School, Baraboo, WI; Tredyffrin Public Library, Wayne, PA; and Rose State College, Oklahoma City, OK.
Determining the Centennial of Flight and NASA participation at Kitty Hawk, NC December 12-17. Working to identify exhibit layouts, educational venues, speakers, panelists, ISS downlinks and staffing requirements for the 100th anniversary of flight celebration.
Assisting in the development of the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy Dinner Program on December 12th at National Airport. John Glenn has been selected as this year’s recipient.
Supporting the Joint Executive Board Meeting of the Arnold Air Society/Silver Wings Youth Activity Project by providing NASA Educational materials college students will use in K-12 classrooms around the country in 2003-2004.
Collaborating with the Washington Times to export aviation related information and educational materials.
The school theme this year in North Elementary School, Morgantown, WV, is “Take Flight – Soar to New Heights.” Commission educational material has been provided.
Educational Service Center Greenbush in Girard, KS, is planning a student conference on aviation highlighting the Wright brothers. Commission educational materials will be distributed.
The ROTC curriculum in Westminster, CO, is the “Frontiers of Aviation History,” which covers man’s interest in flight. The entire ROTC senior class will be present on December 17 in N.C.
Kimberley Park Elementary School, Winston-Salem, N.C, is running an after school science academy sponsored by Winston-Salem State University with a grant from NASA. The focus of this quarter’s academy is aviation. Commission materials will be used.
The Civil Air Patrol Michigan Wing Internal Aerospace Education Officer will be distributing Commission educational material in her aerospace packets that she will be giving to the individual CAP units in Michigan.
New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT, will be distributing Commission educational materials on December 17, 2003 as they celebrate the anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first flight.
Information about planned centennial activities at Iowa State is available at http://www.lib.iastate.edu/libinfo/news/flight_centennial.html.
Gateway High School in Aurora, CO, will be using Commission educational materials in their ROTC Program.
There is a young magnet school in Clio, S.C., that is a very unique school of discovery. “Flying High,” celebrating the centennial of flight, has been designed especially for this year’s celebration. Students are participating in various activities centered around the history of flight with emphasis on the Wright brothers. Commission educational materials have been provided.
Gifford C. Cole Middle School in CA was chosen a NASA Explorer School, one of 50 in the nation. In November the school will celebrate the accomplishments of the Wright brothers and flight research.
Commission educational materials will be distributed at the Smithsonian Teachers Night at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center. The Challenger Space Center in Phoenix, AZ, will co-host the function.
This year’s theme at Macy Elementary School, La Habra, CA, is “Macy – Where Learning Takes Off.” Commission educational materials have been provided. They have a September Contest at the bottom of their home page, www.macyelementary.com, that incorporates the flight theme
USAF Air War College has requested copies of our 32-page brochure.
The Space Advisory in Australia is a public organization that actively works to educate the public, schools and universities about the benefits of space and flight technology, development and exploration. We provided materials for their Space and Flight Resource Room.
Central High School, Milton, FL, has requested Commission educational resources to use at their school and also at the county’s new visual arts student gallery where there is a display on man’s first powered flight.
The library of A. J. Dimond High School in Anchorage, Alaska, is starting the new school year with a theme of the centennial of flight. Commission educational materials will be distributed.
Peterson Elementary School in N.C. has linked its Web site to the Commission’s Web site.
Requests for Information, Exhibits, etc.:
Monique Taylor is looking for historical footage of Billy Mitchell. She can be reached at Taylor@rosenlawfirm.com or 503-525-2525.
CDR Dave Dahl, Mayport Airops, is looking for exhibits for an air show the end of October. The Blue Angels will be there. He can be reached at DDahl@NSMAYPORT.SPEAR.NAVY.MIL or by phone at 904-270-7126.
The Lew Wallace Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Albuquerque, NM, is looking for a spokesperson for a December 20, 2003 luncheon honoring the Wright brothers and the centennial of flight. Please contact Angie McKinstry at 505-338-3420.
Ruth Dalton teaches elementary music in Gaston County, N.C., and is looking for songs she can teach her students about the first flight. She can be reached at tddnwd@clt.quik.com or by phone at 704-865-6156.
Since May 2003, the Commission has responded to requests from the following countries: Alexandria, Egypt; Izmir, Turkey; Vienna, Austria; Republic of Singapore; Hong Kong; and Brussels, Belgium.
Completed Activities/ Events:
The Danville Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and the Danville Airport sponsored a “Young Eagles” day on September 20.
On September 12, Marsha Mills had an exhibit of her centennial of flight art work at the FAA in Washington, D.C.
The First Flight Centennial Commission static display was at the Winston-Salem Air Show Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7. The air show took place at the Smith Reynolds Airport.
There was an opening reception on August 24, 2003 at the Outer Banks History Center in Manteo, N.C. The program featured Dr. Tom Crouch. The opening of “Pushing the Limits” Aviation Flight Research as Seen Through the NASA Art Program will be on display there from September 1 – December 31, 2003.
The Hawaii State Flag, as part of the EAA "50 Flags to Kitty Hawk", was delivered to the National Park Service at Kill Devil Hills on August 20 by Eliot Merk, an EAA member from Hilo, Hawaii.
On August 19, NASM Historian Dr. Roger Launius gave a special History Colloquium, "NASA: From the Past to the Future," at the official dedication of the Bldg. 3 Aud. in honor of Goddard's first Center Director, Dr. Harry Goett. Dr. Launius discussed the evolution of NASA from its creation in 1958 to the present, and suggested possible trajectories for the future.
The last original Koolhoven aircraft in existence, a BAT F.K. 23 “Bantam’ from 1917, has been restored to its full glory and can be viewed at http://www.koolhoven.com/news/.