Authentic 1903 Wright Flyer Reproduction Coming to Dearborn for Ford Motor Company's 100th Anniversary Celebration

1903 Marked Significant Year of Transportation Innovation

DEARBORN, Mich., June 5 -- The following is being issued by the Experimental Aircraft Association:

  WHO:
  Organizers of the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) Countdown to
  Kitty Hawk, a centennial celebration of the Wright brothers' first powered
  flight, and Ford Motor Company.

  Speakers at the press conference at a 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 include:
   *    Edsel B. Ford II, great-grandson of automotive legend Henry Ford
   *    Amanda Wright Lane, great-grand niece of Wilbur and Orville Wright
   *    Jan Valentic, vice president, Global Marketing, Ford Motor Company
   *    Tom Poberezny, EAA president and U.S. Centennial of Flight
        commissioner

  WHAT:
  The authentic reproduction of the Wright brothers' 1903 "flyer" will be
  the centerpiece of a 20,000 square-foot touring exhibit celebrating the
  100th anniversary of powered flight at Ford Motor Company's THE ROAD IS
  OURS 100th Anniversary Celebration.  The history of Ford Motor Company is
  inseparably linked to the history of flight.

  The EAA Wright flyer reproduction will be on display June 12-16 at Ford
  Motor Company's world headquarters in Dearborn, Mich.  The Wright flyer
  will travel the country this year and fly over Kitty Hawk, N.C., on Dec.
  17, 2003, the 100-year anniversary -- at the exact date, time and place
  where the Wright brothers' enacted their first flight.  Along with the
  flyer, the pavilion includes exhibits focusing on aviation, innovations
  and heroes including:
   *    Exhibits on the history of Henry Ford and the Wright brothers.
   *    "Microsoft's Flight Simulator" cradles of the EAA 1903 Wright Flyer,
        which allow visitors to try their hand at flying the historic
        aircraft.
   *    Digital reproductions of Wright brothers' documents from the Library
        of Congress archives.
   *    A theater and live presentation area where actors will assume the
        roles of the Wright brothers.
   *    Interactive and Web-based exhibits, including a contest to select
        Eclipse Aviation's "Greatest Aviation Innovations of the First 100
        Years."  This will allow visitors to vote for aviation's greatest
        innovations online or in the pavilion. Voters will be eligible to
        win deluxe travel packages to Kitty Hawk for the historic
        reenactment of the Wrights' first-powered flight on Dec. 17, 2003.

  WHEN:
  Thursday, June 12 until Monday, June 16. Organizers have scheduled a press
  conference from 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, June 14 in the Countdown to
  Kitty Hawk pavilion.

  WHERE:
  North end of Ford Motor Company's world headquarters campus in
  Dearborn, Mich.

  WHY:
   *    2003 is the 100th anniversary of flight and the 100th anniversary of
        Ford Motor Company.  The history of Ford Motor Company is
        inseparably linked to the history of flight.
   *    EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk presented by Ford Motor Company
        (www.countdowntokittyhawk.org) 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.
   *    Greenfield Village, which houses the Wright brothers' home and cycle
        shop, also is nearby.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media credentials are required obtain entry in the pavilion. Video b-roll also is available.