Nov. 25, 2003

For more information contact:
Tim McClung
515-239-1689
tim.mcclung@dot.state.ia.us

 December 17 Marks 100^th Anniversary of
Powered Flight- Iowa Celebrates the State’s Impact on Aviation

AMES, Iowa –The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation would like to remind the media that Wednesday, Dec.17, marks the 100^th Anniversary of the first successful powered flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

More information on the Wright brothers flight, the history of aviation in Iowa, and the resulting air transportation system in Iowa is available on the Office of Aviation’s Web site at iawings.com.

December 17 will close a year of activities in Iowa designed around the Centennial of Flight Celebration. In December 2002, Governor Vilsack signed a proclamation kicking off the one-year celebration. In June 2003, Shane and Larry Vande Voort, of Pella, flew the Iowa flag to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to be part of a permanent display at the Wright Brothers Memorial. In July 2003, Cedar Rapids hosted Fly Iowa at the Eastern Iowa Airport, a major air show using the Centennial of Flight theme.

The centennial celebration has also recognized the fact that Iowa has a rich aviation history. The Wright brothers lived near Cedar Rapids during a period of their childhood from 1878 to 1891. Amelia Earhart lived in Des Moines from 1908 to 1914 and saw her first airplane flight at the Iowa State Fair at age 10. Ellen Church, of Cresco, is generally considered the first flight attendant in the United States. And, Peggy Whitson, from Beaconsfield, recently served on the International Space Station.

According to Michelle McEnany, director of the Iowa DOT’s Office of Aviation, “The accomplishments of the Wright brothers on Dec. 17, 1903, have created an entire industry and improved the lives of everyone around the globe. Our air transportation system and aviation related businesses affect the lives of every Iowan. An economic impact study conducted by Iowa State University in 2000 showed that Iowa airports provide an annual economic impact of approximately $834 million, and create nearly 10,000 jobs in Iowa”.

#