John Gobel Delivers Maine State Flag To Wright Brothers Memorial

KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. - August 22, 2003 - John Gobel, an Experimental Aircraft Association member pilot from Frankfort, Maine officially represented the state in EAA's "50 Flags to Kitty Hawk" program Friday, when he landed at the Wright Brothers National Memorial and presented the state flag to National Park Service officials.

John was one of 50 EAA-member pilots chosen - one from each state - to participate in the "50 Flags to Kitty Hawk" program, a year-long effort that is part of EAA's "Countdown to Kitty Hawk" initiative, presented by Ford Motor Company, celebrating the achievements of the Wright brothers and the 100th anniversary of powered flight in 2003.

John Gobel was the 24th EAA-member pilot to complete the journey to Kitty Hawk, where he also presented National Park Service officials with a signed proclamation from Governor John Baldacci, declaring August 14th, 2003 as "50 Flags to Kitty Hawk Day" throughout the state. Following the presentation, the Maine flag was raised at the Wright Brothers National Memorial site, where it will fly for the entire day.

John Gobel, far left, with 8 powered parachutists from Maine.

John Goble, a computer executive, has more than 3000 hours in the air, and has been an EAA member since 1975. His flight of 810 miles took eight days to complete. John was accompanied by seven other powered parachutist: Jerry Sukeforth, chief navigator; Jim Holloway, flight Ops; Doug Sukeforth, personnel; Bill Grusik, chief instructor; Mike O'Donnel, logistics; Dunbar Seamans, executive officer; and Robin Paradis, special Ops.
EAA's "Countdown to Kitty Hawk" program, which is also supported by Microsoft Flight Simulator and Eclipse Aviation, includes construction of an exact flying reproduction of the 1903 Wright flyer, and a six-stop national tour of EAA's "Countdown to Kitty Hawk" pavilion exhibit, which features the Flyer, historic artifacts and Wright brothers correspondence from the Library of Congress, and numerous interactive aviation displays.

The tour will culminate at Kill Devil Hills, N.C., when as part of the Centennial of Flight Celebration, EAA's Wright Flyer will fly again at 10:35 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2003 - precisely 100 years to the minute from when the Wrights made history.

For more information on EAA's "Countdown to Kitty Hawk" program, search the website at www.countdowntokittyhawk.com.