The Virginia Air & Space Center in Hampton and Texas-
based DGVF Productions recently signed agreements with the
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission to become part of the
yearlong celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of the
Wright brothers’ first powered flight.

As a result of the memoranda of agreement, the two
organizations will become an official part of the “Centennial
of Flight: Born of Dreams — Inspired by Freedom” celebration
and will help promote the national commemoration. The
Commission will, in turn, provide outreach support to the
Virginia Air & Space Center and DGVF Productions.

“The Virginia Air & Space Center and DGVF Productions will be
wonderful additions to the centennial commemoration,” said
Sherry Foster, executive director of the U.S. Centennial of
Flight Commission. “Both organizations are providing
educational material about aviation and the Wright brothers
that will reach the public during the centennial year and
beyond,” she said.

The Virginia Air & Space Center (http://www.vasc.org/) has
served as a leading source for informal science education —
from engaging permanent exhibits and interactive traveling
exhibits to inspirational educational programs — for nearly
ten years. The Center’s efforts will continue in 2003, when
it will open a new Aviation Exhibit Hall highlighting the
origins of flight and the city of Hampton Roads’ significant
role in commercial, general and military aviation.

In 2003, the Center will house a series of interactive
exhibits to tell the story of the Wright brothers, including
a full-scale reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer and the
Wright Brothers’ Bicycle Shop; “The Wright Brothers’
Propeller Exhibit,” a wind tunnel exhibit; and a Wing Warper
component.

Visitors to the Center can “wing walk” on a re-created Jenny,
see a replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer, explore a DC-9, take
off and land on a U.S. Navy carrier, ride in a World War II
bomber, become an air traffic controller, build an airplane,
sit inside the cockpit of a F-22, and test their flying
skills with a variety of simulators.

Through hands-on exhibits, programs and demonstrations, the
Center will offer students a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
From the history of Orville and Wilbur to the latest NASA
journey to space, the museum encourages visitors to discover
and explore 100 years of powered flight.

DGVF Productions

(www.davidgarrigus.com/pages/kittyhawk.html), which has been
producing national award-winning broadcast and educational
programming for nearly 20 years, is producing “Kitty Hawk:
The Wright Brothers’ Journey of Invention,” scheduled to air
on PBS in 2003. Three years in the making, the two-hour
documentary promises to tell the technical story of the
Wright brothers’ inventive process while offering insight
into their lives in Dayton, Ohio, and North Carolina. The
program draws on the expertise of over a dozen Wright
brothers historians, including Dr. Tom Crouch, chairman of
the First Flight Centennial Advisory Board.

An estimated 75 percent of all households in the United
States will have the opportunity to view DGVF’s program,
which is scheduled for completion in early 2003. The
production will also be released on video and DVD, assuring
years of additional exposure through the general public,
libraries and schools.

“Our documentary is an inspirational story that will
celebrate the first flight and the contributions that flight
has made to our world,” said David Garrigus, president of
DGVF Productions. “We are excited to work with the U.S.
Centennial of Flight Commission and appreciate the
opportunity to become part of the national celebration,” he
said.

The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission was created by
Congress to expand national and international interest in the
commemoration of the 100th anniversary of powered flight
through a national awareness campaign, “Centennial of Flight:
Born of Dreams — Inspired by Freedom.” More information
about the Centennial of Flight celebration and details about
the events being planned may be found online at
www.centennialofflight.gov/

More information also is available from Christian Markow of
the Commission on 804/675-8153 or cmarkow@crtpr.com