Sarah Keegan
Headquarters, Washington, DC                December 13, 2000
(Phone:  202/358-1902)

Tammy Jones
FAA, Washington, DC
(Phone:  202/267-3462)

RELEASE:  00-196

COUNTING DOWN TO DECEMBER 17, 2003

     Quick - without looking it up - what's significant about 
December 17, 2003?  If your immediate answer isn't that it's the 
100th anniversary of powered flight as first demonstrated by the 
Wright Brothers, hopefully that will change. Just check out:

            http://www.centennialofflight.gov

The US Centennial of Flight Commission has launched this Web site 
to get the word out on the history and future of powered flight 
and keep track of events planned to celebrate the upcoming 
anniversary. The site also features a section dedicated to 
educational activities and programs related to the past, present 
and future of flight. 

One of the special features of the site is the calendar. It will 
track all events related to the centennial of flight, the history 
of aviation, and aviation in general. Visitors to the site can 
propose events for inclusion via the "submit an event" button.

The US Centennial of Flight Commission was set up by Congress to 
provide recommendations and advice to the President, Congress and 
Federal agencies on the most effective ways to encourage and 
promote national and international commemoration of the centennial 
of powered flight. Its six members represent the First Flight 
Centennial Foundation of North Carolina; Inventing Flight: Dayton 
2003 of Ohio; aeronautical societies, foundations and 
organizations outside of Ohio and North Carolina, represented by 
the President of the Experimental Aircraft Association; the 
Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum; the 
Federal Aviation Administration; and the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration.

For more information contact the Commission through its Web site 
or at 202-FLT-1903.

                              -end-