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On December 17, 1903, at 10:35 a.m., the world's first successful powered aircraft lifted off the beach at the Outer Banks for a 12-second, 120-foot journey. A new industry was born and a new way of life followed closely behind. Driven by two brothers unwavering in their task, that flight accomplished what people had only imagined since the beginning of time. Realizing this dream took more than wings, wheels and a motor - it took the spirit of adventure, the tenacity brought on by risk and failure, and the desire to achieve a freedom which humans had never before experienced.
In 1998, the United States Congress passed the Centennial of Flight Commemoration Act, Public Law 105-389, 105th Congress (Nov. 13, 1998), as amended by Public Law 106-68, 106th Congress (Oct. 6, 1999).
This law established the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission (COFC) to assist in the commemoration of the centennial of powered flight and the achievements of the Wright brothers' first powered flight at Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903, and to serve as a national and international source of information for activities commemorating this historic event. Congress also intends that the COFC encourage more than a celebration of this single achievement, to include a commemoration of the full 100 years of aviation history that followed.
Under this mandate, the COFC plans to coordinate and encourage national and international celebrations of the Wright brothers' achievement and its impact on the world in a fashion that inspires the next generation of inventors.
There are six COFC Commissioners, including the Administrators of NASA and FAA, as well as representatives from North Carolina and Ohio, Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and the National Air and Space Museum.
Section 12 of the Act provides for the establishment of the First Flight Centennial Federal Advisory Board. The Board is composed of 19 members, five of whose positions are included by statute, and 14 other U.S. citizens meeting various statutory criteria. Of these fourteen positions, six are appointed by the President of the U.S., four by the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate and four by the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. This Board has been formally chartered and held its first meeting August 9, 2001, under the chairmanship of Dr. Tom Crouch, Senior Curator for Aeronautics at the National Air and Space Museum.
The Advisory Board shall offer advice and counsel to the COFC on matters related to the Act, including but not restricted to: (1) effectively applying COFC resources in order to achieve the goals established in the Act; (2) formulating recommendations to Congress and the Executive Branch on how to best promote national awareness of the commemoration of the centennial of powered flight and the achievements of the Wright brothers; (3) increasing the visibility of centennial activities; and (4) identifying ways in which individuals and organizations can be encouraged to participate in the centennial commemoration.
The United States Congress charges the COFC with playing the leading role in coordinating and publicizing activities celebrating the achievements of Wilbur and Orville Wright and commemorating a century of powered flight. The COFC has the authority to make broad recommendations to the President of the United States, Congress and federal agencies on the celebration.
The COFC's primary responsibilities are to:
Under the Centennial of Flight Commemoration Act, the COFC is also required to make recommendations concerning the issuing of commemorative postal stamps; commemorative coins and medals; the publication of books and educational materials; the production of conferences and educational programs; and the creation of competitions and awards.
The COFC's outreach plan includes support for marquee activities being planned by state commissions and organizations in North Carolina, Ohio and across the country. Events include national symposia, Wright Flyer tours and reenactments, special exhibits and new museum openings, spectacular air shows, festivals, and much more.
As we approach 2003, the COFC will work to create national exposure for the celebration year and provide comprehensive information about celebration activities, historical materials and educational resources. Visit www.centennialofflight.gov for more information on all of the exciting activities being planned.
An equally important goal of this celebration will be to encourage the values that have characterized 100 years of aviation history: ingenuity, inventiveness, persistence, creativity and courage. These values hold true not just for pioneers of flight, but also for all pioneers of invention and innovation, and they will remain an important part of America's future.
Using the story of aviation, the COFC hopes to inspire a new generation of inventors in children around the world and ignite a new level of enthusiasm for perseverance and determination in the quest for ingenuity.
Centennial of Flight: Born of Dreams - Inspired by Freedom. These words lie at the heart of the COFC's outreach efforts. Through publication of a strategic plan, the COFC hopes to encourage national and international appreciation and celebration of the 100th anniversary of flight in a fashion that inspires vision, persistence and creativity in a future generation of inventors.
Again this year we have chosen to integrate the requirements of the Annual Report with the National Plan for the Centennial of Flight Commemoration.
No invention has made such an indelible imprint on our world as the airplane. In 2003, the national celebration Centennial of Flight: Born of Dreams - Inspired by Freedom will commemorate the world's rich history of aviation accomplishments through events, symposia, air shows, special programming, exhibits, tours, educational outreach and more.
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