Centennial of Flight Commission facts for kids
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| Formation | November 13, 1998 |
|---|---|
| Founder | 105th Congress |
| Dissolved | 2004 |
| Type | Governmental |
| Legal status | Congressional commission |
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Chairperson
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John R. Dailey |
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Budget
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$4 million USD (lifetime) |
| Website | https://www.centennialofflight.net/ |
The U. S. Centennial of Flight Commission (often called CoFC) was a special group created in 1999 by the U.S. Congress. Its main job was to share information about events celebrating 100 years since the Wright brothers made their first successful powered flight. This amazing flight happened on December 17, 1903. It was supposedly the first time a person flew a heavier-than-air airplane in a controlled way.
Many celebrations were planned for 2003 in two main places:
- North Carolina, where the Wright brothers' first flights took place near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
- Dayton, Ohio, which was the Wright brothers' hometown.
The Commission also wanted to help with many history and education projects about flying. They hoped to inspire people about aviation and aeronautics all over the world. They also ran a big educational website about the history of flight.
Contents
Why the Commission Was Created
In 1998, the United States Congress passed a law to create this Commission. Its main goal was to lead the way in celebrating the achievements of Wilbur and Orville Wright. It also celebrated a century of powered flight.
The Commission had a few important jobs:
- To get people excited about the celebrations.
- To encourage groups and individuals to hold their own events.
- To give advice to those planning celebrations.
- To keep a website and a national calendar of events.
- To send people to international meetings.
- To have a group of speakers ready to share information.
How the Commission Was Funded
The U.S. Congress gave the Commission about $4 million USD during its time. This money helped them pay for their activities and projects. The Commission could also accept gifts that were not money, like historical items.
Who Was Involved
The Commission included leaders from different American organizations. Some key members were:
- Commission Chair: General John R. Dailey, who was also the Director of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
- Marion Blakey, who led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- Sean O'Keefe, who led National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Many other groups also worked with the Commission. These "Centennial Partners" helped plan events like air shows, exhibitions, and TV specials. Some of these partners included:
- The First Flight Centennial Commission of North Carolina, which focused on events in North Carolina.
- The Space Day Foundation, which helped teach kids about space and flight. They encouraged young people to be excited about science and innovation.
- The Challenger Center, which uses space themes to get students interested in math and science. They challenged students to design and build model aircraft.
- The Chicago Centennial of Flight Commission, which planned exhibits and programs to teach students about aviation history.
Main Events and Programs
The Commission helped organize many events. A big "kick-off" event happened on December 17, 2002. This was exactly one year before the 100th anniversary of the Wright flight. It took place at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.. Important people like actor John Travolta and leaders from NASA and the FAA spoke there.
On the same day, a special event was held near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This was at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, where the first flight happened.
Many other celebrations and projects were planned across the country throughout 2003. These were especially popular in Ohio and North Carolina.
The biggest celebration was the First Flight Centennial Celebration. It happened from December 12–17, 2003, at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. President George W. Bush attended, and many military and civilian aircraft performed. Unfortunately, bad weather and other challenges made it hard to fly a replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer.
The Centennial of Flight Website
One of the Commission's most important projects was its website. This huge online encyclopedia had about 17,000 pages of aviation history. It focused mostly on U.S. aviation. The website had hundreds of articles and thousands of pictures. The Commission said it had the best information about the celebrations and the history of flight.
The website cost about $4 million to create and run. It became very popular in 2003, with over 4 million visitors each month by December.
NASA kept the website running after the Commission closed in 2004. However, due to budget cuts and computer problems, NASA stopped maintaining it in 2012. Luckily, parts of the site were saved by groups like the American Aviation Historical Society (AAHS). They now host an archive of the original website, so people can still learn from it.
Closing Down
The Commission finished its work and closed in 2004. As planned, its important materials, especially the large website, were given to NASA to be preserved.
Images for kids
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The official logo of the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission.
