Dec. 16, 2003
For more information contact:
Tim McClung
515-239-1689
tim.mcclung@dot.state.ia.us
Iowa joins in celebration of 100th anniversary of powered flight
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa aviation community is joining in on a celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of the first flight by the Wright brothers, which is in full swing this week across the nation.
According to Michelle McEnany, director of the Iowa Department of Transportation’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."
Iowa Events, Dec. 17, 2003
The Iowa Aviation Museum in Greenfield will host a radio play called "One
Fine Day" to relive the moment that changed history starting at 7 p.m.
In Council Bluffs, a one-man monologue will re-live portions of Orville and Wilbur Wrights’ life through Wilbur’s eyes at 10 a.m. in a hangar at the Council Bluffs Airport.
In Iowa City, the city council is officially proclaiming Dec. 17, 2003, as "Aviation Day," connecting the city’s extensive aviation history to the event.
In Pella, Centennial of Flight certificates will be given to pilots who fly from the Pella Municipal Airport.
Year of Celebration
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 of 2003, Shane and
Larry Vande Voort of Pella flew the Iowa flag to Kitty Hawk, N. C., to be part
of a permanent display at the Wright Brothers’ Memorial. In July of 2003,
Cedar Rapids hosted Fly Iowa at the Eastern Iowa Airport, a major air show using
the Centennial of Flight theme.
The centennial celebration also has recognized Iowa’s 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.
In 1992, the Experimental Aircraft Association launched the Young Eagles program to involve more young people in aviation. In Iowa, 601 pilots have flown a total of 19,314 youth as part of the goal of flying one million youth world wide, free of charge, by the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight.
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 www.iawings.com.
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