1903 EAA Wright Flyer Reproduction Arrives in Dayton On Its Way to Re-Creating History at Kitty Hawk in December

Inventing Flight Visitors Get a Chance to Pilot First Flight In Microsoft's Wright Flyer Simulator and Learn About The Wright Brothers Through Interactive Exhibits

DAYTON, Ohio, July 3 -- The world's most authentic reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer has "landed" at the Inventing Flight celebration in Dayton, Ohio, as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association's Countdown to Kitty Hawk presented by Ford Motor Company. The flyer serves as the centerpiece of a 20,000-square-foot pavilion located within Celebration Central in Deeds Park and is dedicated to telling the story of the Wright brothers and powered flight.

The reproduction, which was transported in a specially designed semi- trailer truck, will not fly publicly until it recreates the Wright brothers' first powered flight at 10:35 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2003 in Kitty Hawk, N.C. -- exactly 100 years later. After this ceremonial flight, which is the backbone of the First Flight Centennial Celebration Dec. 13-17, 2003, the Wright Flyer reproduction will reside at The Henry Ford's Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., as part of its new "Heroes of the Sky" exhibit. EAA's flyer reproduction will join the Wrights' home and bicycle shop in Dearborn, realizing Henry Ford's dream of displaying the Wrights' plane.

"EAA's Wright Flyer reproduction represents a long-standing commitment by EAA and its partners to preserve the Wright brothers' legacy and their unbridled spirit of innovation that forever changed our world," said EAA President and U.S. Centennial of Flight Commissioner Tom Poberezny.

A virtual 1903 Wright Flyer simulator by "Microsoft Flight Simulator" will give kids of all ages a chance to experience the challenges the Wright brothers faced a century ago when they take the controls of the interactive flyer.

Bruce Williams, business development manager, Microsoft Flight Simulator, said, "Throughout the Countdown to Kitty Hawk tour, we have had an overwhelmingly positive response to the Microsoft Wright Flyer Simulator, which gives everyone the chance to step back in history and experience first- hand what flight was like 100 years ago."

The Countdown to Kitty Hawk pavilion, one of the cornerstone attractions of Inventing Flights' Celebration Central, features several other attractions including:

  * Exhibits on the history of Henry Ford and the Wright brothers
  * Digital reproductions of the Wright brothers documents from the Library
    of Congress archives
  * Interactive and Web-based exhibits, including a contest to select
    Eclipse Aviation's "Greatest Aviation Innovations of the First 100
    Years." Voters will be eligible to win a deluxe travel package to the
    Wright Brothers National Memorial near Kitty Hawk and witness the re-
    enactment of the first powered flight on Dec. 17, 2003.
  * A theatre and live presentation area where actors will assume the roles
    of the Wright brothers in a specially written "What's Wright With
    Flight."
  * Storyteller Darrell Collins of the National Park Service in Kitty Hawk
    will be on hand to deliver his captivating story of the Wrights' first
    flight.
  * Representatives from the Wright family will be on hand for special
    presentations throughout the three-week stay in Dayton.

Poberezny added, "The eyes of the world will be on EAA's Wright Flyer this coming Dec. 17 as we attempt to re-create the Wright brothers' first-powered flight on the dunes near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. We're honored to bring the flyer and our pavilion to the home of the Wright brothers."

About EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk Presented By Ford Motor Company

EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk is a centennial celebration of the Wright brothers' first powered flight -- an innovation that forever changed our world. Led by EAA, presented by Ford Motor Company, and supported by Microsoft Flight Simulator, Eclipse Aviation and FLYING magazine, this yearlong series of inspirational events honors the innovation and determination it takes to make world-changing dreams a reality. "Countdown to Kitty Hawk" features an interactive touring pavilion and the world's most accurate 1903 Wright Flyer reproduction that will exclusively re-enact the Wright brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., on Dec. 17, 2003 -- exactly 100 years later. For more information regarding the program, check the official "Countdown to Kitty Hawk" Web site (www.countdowntokittyhawk.org).