January 17, 2003 - Kids to Hear First-Hand from 26-Year-Old United Express Pilot Who Learned About 'Wonders of Flight' Through EAA's Young Eagles Program

WHAT: About 200 Chicago-area youth, between the ages of seven and 17, will experience the wonders of flight first-hand on the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 22, 2003, at Chicago's historic Meigs Field. All children between the ages of seven and 17 are eligible to participate in this free program at Chicago's lakefront airport with the signed permission of a parent or guardian. Participants will learn about the science behind flight and experience an actual flight in a private plane. Kids also will have an opportunity to meet some of the original Tuskegee Airmen and former Young Eagles who have pursued aviation careers as a result of the program. More than 6,000 Chicago kids already have participated in the program at Meigs Field since 1994. Interested parties can register by calling the Young Eagles Hotline at (312) 409-5621.

VISUALS: Chicago kids before and after their first flight, airplanes, aerial shots, Tuskegee Airmen & special guests

WHO: Special guests will include: · Young Eagles' "success story" Nia Gilliam-Wordlaw, a 26-year-old mother and United Express pilot who was inspired to pursue an aviation career after becoming a Young Eagle in 1993. Nia will share her first-hand experience with a new generation of Young Eagles.

· U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (primary co-sponsor of H.R. 3479 - the bill to preserve Meigs Field) · Illinois Senate President Emil Jones

Organizations involved include: · The Experimental Aircraft Association -The EAA created the Young Eagles program in 1992 and is on course to fly one million kids by the 100th anniversary of flight on Dec. 17, 2003. EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk presented by Ford Motor Company is a centennial celebration of the Wright brothers' first powered flight. (www.countdowntokittyhawk.com)

· The Chicago "DODO" Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen - This service organization, which was founded by the African-American aviators who first broke the color barrier to fly for the U.S. armed forces during World War II, has co-sponsored the EAA Young Eagles program since 1994. The Airmen are committed to flying 2,003 Young Eagles this year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of flight.

· The Friends of Meigs Field - This is a non-profit organization with more than 6,100 businesses, associations and individuals from 50 states, seven countries and four continents.

WHY: February is Black History Month, and the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen to America's and aviation's history extends far beyond World War II. The Young Eagles program is an opportunity for the Airmen to give back of their time and talents to share the wonders of flight with future generations.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the first-powered flight.

WHEN: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 (Special presentation to elected officials at 12:30 p.m.)

WHERE: Merrill C. Meigs Field is located at 1500 South Linn White Drive in Chicago just walking distance to the Adler Planetarium, Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium.

CONTACTS: Jonathan Rhudy (804) 675-8132 jrhudy@crtpr.com Steve Whitney (847) 470-9300 ext. 7 swhitney@friendsofmeigs.org