NOTE TO EDITORS AND NEWS DIRECTORS: News media representatives are invited to attend a media day for the 2003 Moffett Field Air Expo on Friday, Sept. 12, from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., PDT, with rides offered from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PDT on a variety of aircraft. Reporters planning to attend the media day activities and/or the air show must obtain media credentials from Beth Swanson, Air Show Network media relations director, by calling 952/221-4717. To reach Moffett Field, take the Moffett Field exit off US 101 and drive east to the main gate. Drive straight toward Hangar One on South Akron. Take first right on McCord Ave and drive two blocks, then take a left on Ed Quiba Road. Cross Cody and proceed straight to the gate; call Beth at 952/221-4717 to enter.

NASA will celebrate 100 years of flight while showcasing its cutting-edge research in information technology, aeronautics and space science at the 2003 Air Expo at Moffett Field, Sept. 13-14.

This year, the air show is dedicated to the astronauts who died February 1, 2003 in the Space Shuttle Columbia accident.

“The 2003 Air Expo at Moffett Field offers NASA an extraordinary opportunity to promote our mission in information technology and aeronautics,” said G. Scott Hubbard, director of NASA Ames Research Center, located in California’s Silicon Valley. “We are delighted to be a participant in this third annual event which gives our friends in the neighboring communities the opportunity to view our exhibits of cutting edge research and technology.”

Housed in a large tent adjacent to historic Hangar One, the 13,000-square foot NASA display will feature a variety of exhibits highlighting new and emerging technologies. NASA Ames’ information technology displays will highlight advances made by applying the latest techniques in digital technology to real-world problems and situations.

Among the exhibits will be a display of the research being conducted in nanotechnology, climate modeling, remote sensing, and thermal protection materials used on the space shuttle. The life science display will showcase the diverse research being conducted at NASA Ames in medical applications and various experiments and hardware developed for the International Space Station.

Also featured will be exhibits highlighting intelligent flight control, air traffic management tools, rotorcraft, the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), and its predecessor the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO), the Quiet Short-Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA), an education display and an authentic moon rock collected during the Apollo 15 mission.

Among the aerial acts at the Air Expo will be a high-speed demonstration by the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet; aerial maneuvers by the U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter team; the gyroscopic aerial acrobatics of Shawn deRosier, Rob Harrison and Bill Cornick; high speed jet aerobatics by the Patriots L-39 jet team; the U.S. Air Force “Heritage Flight” featuring an F-16 alongside a P-51 Mustang; sky diving and combat rescue demonstrations by the 129th squadron of the California Air National Guard; and amazing maneuvers by the Gazelle helicopter, one of the only helicopter acts of its kind in the world. Also featured will be a “legacy flight” featuring an F-18 Hornet flying alongside the Sea Fury Mark II; and dazzling aerial rolls and spins by Eddie Andreini. On Sunday, there will be a “fly-by” featuring an F-117 Stealth Fighter.
Besides the aviation action in the sky, spectators will be able to view more than 20 military and civilian aircraft on display, including a walk inside NASA’s 747 space shuttle transport, and the U.S. Air Force’s massive C-5 Galaxy. Modern fighters like the F-16 and F-18 will be displayed alongside various support aircraft, including the KC-135 air-to-air refueler and an H-53 helicopter. Spectators will also be able to take a “Walk Through Time,” a unique display featuring historic aircraft from seven periods in aviation history, including a P-51 Mustang, F-6 Hellcat and an F-8 Bear Cat and C-21 China Doll.

More than 100,000 people are anticipated to attend the two-day air show. Tickets are available at http://www.airshownetwork.com and daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. PDT in the Visitor Center at NASA Ames Research Center.

Event hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. PDT Saturday and Sunday. Limited off-site parking with shuttle bus service is available at the Juniper Networks and Lockheed facilities on Mathilda Road, with secured bicycle parking offered at Moffet Field’s Ellis Street entrance. Reserved parking is available for advance purchase as are VIP preferred parking passes located on the air show grounds. The Valley Transportation Authority will add additional light rail service to the Moffett Field station; Highway 101 traffic will be re-routed at the Mathilda exit for this event.

The Air Show Network is the largest air show producer in North America. The Air Show Network is owned by Umbrella Entertainment Group, a privately held company based in Carpinteria, Calif. For more information call 650-599-3602. For further information, visit: http://www.airshownetwork.com

Located in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley, NASA Ames Research Center encompasses the Moffett Field property formerly occupied by the Navy. Ames conducts research in astrobiology, information technology, and aviation systems operations and capacity. For more information about NASA Ames, visit: http://www.arc.nasa.gov/