Authentic 1903 Wright Flyer Reproduction and 2003 Lincoln Aviator Kitty Hawk Edition to Be Unveiled

 Wright Brothers' Descendant to Unveil Plane That Will Travel the Country
     Prior to Re-Enacting Wrights' First Powered Flight Dec. 17, 2003

  WHO:    EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and Ford Motor Company

  WHAT:   A news conference to reveal the authentic reproduction of the 1903
          Wright Flyer, the first plane to achieve powered flight nearly 100
          years ago. In conjunction with the event, Ford Motor Company will
          unveil the Lincoln Aviator Kitty Hawk Edition, the official
          vehicle of EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk presented by Ford Motor
          Company (http://www.countdowntokittyhawk.com/), the national
          aviation celebration of the centennial of the Wright brothers'
          first flight. The Flyer being revealed will travel the country
          this year and fly over Kitty Hawk, N.C., on the 100-year
          anniversary - at the exact date, time and place where the Wright
          brothers' enacted their first flight.

  WHEN:   Tuesday, March 18, 2003, from 9-10 a.m.

  WHERE:  Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,
          General Aviation Terminal - Hangar 7
          Washington, D.C.

  WHY:    2003 is the 100th anniversary of flight and the 100th anniversary
          of Ford Motor Company.

          * EEA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk presented by Ford Motor Company is
            a yearlong celebration of special events leading up to the re-
            enactment of the Wright brothers' first powered flight on Dec.
            17, 2003, at Kitty Hawk, N.C.

          * Aviation and automotive advancements over the past 100 years are
            based on similar principles of innovation, determination and
            imagination to enhance personal mobility.

  SPECIAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS:

  * Ford Motor Company, the presenting sponsor of EAA's Countdown to Kitty
    Hawk, will provide test-drives of the Lincoln Aviator after the program
    concludes.

  * Microsoft "Flight Simulator" will demonstrate a 1903 Wright Flyer
    virtual cradle to accompany its upcoming "Microsoft(R) Flight Simulator:
    A Century of Flight" software program.

  SPECIAL GUESTS TO INCLUDE:

  * Amanda Wright Lane, great-grandniece of Orville and Wilbur Wright
  * Executives from EAA, Ford Motor Company, Microsoft "Flight Simulator"
    and Eclipse Aviation
  * U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission and Metropolitan Washington
    Airports Authority officials
  * Ken Hyde, builder of EAA's 1903 Wright Flyer reproduction with The
    Wright Experience of Virginia
  * A wind tunnel expert from Old Dominion University, where the Flyer was
    tested in February

  TEST-DRIVE OPPORTUNITIES:

Lincoln Aviator test-drive opportunities are available upon conclusion of program. Please e-mail ntwork1@ford.com to schedule a test-drive.

PRNewswire -- March 5