More EAA Member-Pilots Chosen To Fly State Flags To Kitty Hawk

EAA and the National Park Service—partners in EAA’s Countdown to Kitty Hawk program, presented by Ford Motor Company—recently selected 13 additional EAA-member pilots to represent their states in EAA’s “50 Flags to Kitty Hawk” initiative, celebrating the achievements of the Wright brothers and 100 years of powered flight.

The 13 pilots—representing the states of Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin—will fly their respective state flag to the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, N.C., on a day of their choice prior to December 1, 2003. Each pilot will also carry a proclamation from that state’s Governor declaring the day of their Flight “50 Flags to Kitty Hawk Day” for their respective state.

Upon arriving in Kitty Hawk , each pilot will be welcomed by the National Park Service, take part in official welcoming ceremonies, after which the flag of their respective state will be raised and flown throughout the day at the National Memorial. At year’s end, the 50 flags delivered will be used in the creation of a permanent EAA/NPS “50 Flags to Kitty Hawk ” display at the site.

The 13 selected are:

Ronald David, Orange Beach, Alabama, an EAA member since 2001, who will fly his Army Birddog L-19E to Kitty Hawk at a date yet to be determined. Accompanying him will be either his wife Sunny David, or Biff Johnson.

Martha King, San Diego, California, an EAA member since 1989, who will fly her Falcon 10 corporate jet to Kitty Hawk at a date yet to be determined. Accompanying her will be her husband John King.

Donna Miller, Golden, Colorado, an EAA member since 2002, who will fly her Cessna 182 to Kitty Hawk in July.

Charles Taylor, Chicago, Illinois, an EAA member since 2002, who will fly his Cessna 172 to Kitty Hawk on May 24th. Accompanying him will be his father Reuben Taylor, his uncle Laurent Taylor, and his son Charles Taylor III.

David Clark, Plainfield, Indiana, an EAA member since 1971, who will fly his Piper Tri-Pacer to Kitty Hawk during the first week of July. Accompanying him will be co-pilot Paul Vogel.

Kevin Brennan, Rochester Hills, Michigan, an EAA member since 1999, who will fly his PA 24-180 to Kitty Hawk on Memorial Day, May 26.

Johnny Smith, Tupelo, Mississippi, an EAA member since 1994, who will fly his Cessna 337 to Kitty Hawk in October. Accompanying him will be his wife Ginger Dunnam-Smith, daughter Aerial Grace Smith, and a second daughter, who is due to arrive in late April.

Les Featherston, Mt. Vernon, Missouri, an EAA member since 1988, who will fly his homebuilt Harmon Rocket II to Kitty Hawk on a date yet to be determined. Accompanying him will be an outstanding undergraduate student of aviation from Missouri .

G. Michael Huffman, Cookson, Oklahoma, an EAA member since 1968, who will fly his Piper Pacer to Kitty Hawk in late spring or early summer. Accompanying him will be his wife Barbara Huffman.

Gina Montgomery, Everett, Pennsylvania, an EAA member since 1996, who will fly her Piper J3 Cub to Kitty Hawk on May 29-30. Accompanying her will be son Sam Montgomery.

Marcia Barnes, Mountain City, Tennessee, an EAA member since 1995, who will fly her 1948 Piper PA-17 Vagabond to Kitty Hawk in June.

Michael Davis, Danville, Virginia, an EAA member since 1992, who will fly his 1939 Piper J3C to Kitty Hawk on April 19.

Eric Oxendorf, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an EAA member since 1995, who will fly his Cessna 206-F to Kitty Hawk at a date yet to be determined. Accompanying him will be passengers Greg Randall, Theresa Lutz and Carl Peterson.

The 13 selections bring to 18 the number of EAA member pilots chosen to participate in the “50 Flags to Kitty Hawk ” program. EAA’s Countdown to Kitty Hawk program was created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of powered flight. Highlighting the initiative is the planned flight of an exact reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer on Dec. 17, 2003 , at Kitty Hawk , N.C. For more information on Countdown to Kitty Hawk or EAA’s “50 Flags to Kitty” program, check the official Countdown to Kitty Hawk website (www.countdowntokittyhawk.com)