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

1903 Marked Significant Year of Transportation Innovation

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 100^th 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 100^th 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.

CONTACTS:
Jonathan Rhudy for EAA’s Countdown to Kitty Hawk                     
(804) 675-8132 – work  (804) 852-8392 – cell
rhudy@crtpr.com

Paige Johnson, Ford Motor Company
(313) 248-6820 – office  (313) 378-6395 - cell
pjohns29@ford.com

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