Visitors Will Get a Chance to Pilot First Flying Machine In Microsoft's Sim

What many say is the world's most-authentic reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer has "landed" at the Inventing Flight celebration in Dayton (OH), as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association's Countdown to Kitty Hawk (presented by Ford Motor Company).

The Flyer serves as the centerpiece of a 20,000-square-foot pavilion located within Celebration Central in Deeds Park and is dedicated to telling the story of the Wright brothers and powered flight.

The reproduction, which was transported in a specially designed semi-trailer truck, will not fly publicly until it recreates the Wright brothers' first powered flight at 10:35 a.m. on December 17, 2003 in Kitty Hawk (NC) -- exactly 100 years after that very first flight. After this ceremonial flight, which is the backbone of the First Flight Centennial Celebration that runs December 13-17, 2003, the Wright Flyer reproduction will reside at The Henry Ford's Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn (MI), as part of its new "Heroes of the Sky" exhibit. EAA's Flyer reproduction will join the Wrights' home and bicycle shop in Dearborn, realizing Henry Ford's dream of displaying the Wrights' plane.

"EAA's Wright Flyer reproduction represents a long-standing commitment by EAA and its partners to preserve the Wright brothers' legacy and their unbridled spirit of innovation that forever changed our world," said EAA President and U.S. Centennial of Flight Commissioner Tom Poberezny.

A virtual 1903 Wright Flyer simulator by "Microsoft Flight Simulator" will give pioneer-pilots of all ages a chance to experience the challenges the Wright brothers faced a century ago when they take the controls of the interactive flyer.

Bruce Williams, business development manager, Microsoft Flight Simulator, said, "Throughout the Countdown to Kitty Hawk tour, we have had an overwhelmingly positive response to the Microsoft Wright Flyer Simulator, which gives everyone the chance to step back in history and experience first-hand what flight was like 100 years ago."

Poberezny added, "The eyes of the world will be on EAA's Wright Flyer this coming December 17 as we attempt to re-create the Wright brothers' first-powered flight on the dunes near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. We're honored to bring the Flyer and our pavilion to the home of the Wright brothers."

FMI: www.countdowntokittyhawk.com