Korta Delivers Connecticut State Flag To Wright Brothers Memorial

Steve Korta, left, and Scott Frantz hold the Connecticut state flag at the Wright Memorial. Ranger from the National Park Service is Jim Cross.

Korta is one of 50 EAA-member pilots chosen - one from each state - to participate in the "50 Flags to Kitty Hawk" program, a year-long effort that is part of EAA's "Countdown to Kitty Hawk" initiative, presented by Ford Motor Company, celebrating the achievements of the Wright brothers and the 100th anniversary of powered flight in 2003.

Korta was the 38th EAA-member pilot to complete the journey to Kitty Hawk, where he also presented National Park Service officials with a signed proclamation from Governor John G. Rowland, declaring September 19, 2003, as "50 Flags to Kitty Hawk Day" throughout the state. Following the presentation, the Connecticut flag was raised at the Wright Brothers National Memorial.

"Aviation has always been a big part of my life," Korta remarked. "Being selected to represent the State of Connecticut in the Celebration of Flight is truly an honor. Flight and the freedom to enjoy it are priceless gifts. I am deeply grateful to my wife, family and friends who have supported and encouraged my life-long passion for aviation."

Korta, a pilot since 1971 and an EAA member since 1985, is airport administrator for Bradley International Airport, New England's second largest airport. L. Scott Frantz, Chairman of Bradley's Board of Directors, accompanied him. Korta originally planned to fly his 115 mph 1946 Fairchild Model 24, but due to time constraints, they two pilots flew in a Socata TBM 700 turboprop reaching speeds in excess of 300 mph. The 381 nautical-mile flight of took less than two hours to complete.

EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk program, also supported by Microsoft Flight Simulator and Eclipse Aviation, includes construction of an exact flying reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer, and a six-stop national tour of EAA's "Countdown to Kitty Hawk" pavilion exhibit, which features the Flyer, historic artifacts and Wright brothers correspondence from the Library of Congress, and numerous interactive aviation displays.

The tour will culminate at Kill Devil Hills, N.C., when as part of the Centennial of Flight Celebration, EAA's Wright Flyer will fly again at 10:35 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2003 - precisely 100 years to the minute from when the Wrights made history.

For more information on EAA's "Countdown to Kitty Hawk" program, visit www.countdowntokittyhawk.com.