WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 17, 2002 - Most know Henry Ford as the founder of Ford Motor Company and father of the industrial age, but fewer are aware of Ford's major contributions to the world of aviation. The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission (COFC) changes that today, when Henry Ford is recognized as one of the pioneers of aviation - as part of a ceremony honoring the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first powered flight.

Ford and 11 other aviation pioneers and/or their descendants will represent those qualities of the human spirit that have made the past 100 years of flight so significant. Edsel B. Ford II, great-grandson of the automotive legend and a member of Ford Motor Company's board of directors, will represent Henry Ford on behalf of the Ford family and sign two centennial banners that will travel in space before being given to the National Parks Service.

What better day to bestow this recognition than on the 99th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first powered flight? "This is a wonderful honor," Edsel Ford said. "Not many people are aware of how much Henry Ford did to develop the early aviation industry - he was inspired by the potential of flight. Not only did my great-grandfather recognize the Wright brothers' genius, he shared their vision of greater mobility for all."

The COFC's ceremony is called "Centennial of Flight: Born of Dreams - Inspired by Freedom" and takes place today at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Scheduled speakers and participants include actor and aviation enthusiast John Travolta and U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission Chairman and National Air and Space Museum Director J.R. "Jack" Dailey.

Ceremony plans include aviation notables accepting honors on behalf of their respective influences on flight and the proclamation of "Wright Brothers Day" by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. Numerous aviation and aerospace pioneers will attend, including former astronauts John Glenn and Neil Armstrong and family of the Wright brothers, Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh.

The history of Ford Motor Company is inseparably linked to the history of flight. The company was founded the same year - 1903 - as the Wright brothers' famous flight and in the same spirit of innovation and scientific optimism.

As one of the premier innovators of his generation, Henry Ford helped put the nation on wings through his efforts to develop aircraft to serve the public, then building public confidence in their safety, reliability and necessity. Ford laid the foundation for our modern system of commercial aviation including the world's first modern airport, concrete runway and popularization of all-metal aircraft with the Ford Tri-Motor. For his pioneering efforts, Ford was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1984. A full timeline of Ford's contributions to aviation will be available at http://media.ford.com under the news section.

The aviation spirit remains alive today at Ford Motor Company. Ford is the lead sponsor of the Experimental Aviation Association's (EAA) "Countdown to Kitty Hawk" program, which is a centennial celebration of the Wright brothers' first powered flight. Led by EAA, presented by Ford Motor Company and supported by Microsoft Flight Simulator and Eclipse Aviation, this yearlong series of inspirational events honors the innovation and determination it takes to make world-changing dreams a reality. Countdown to Kitty Hawk features an interactive touring pavilion and the world's most-accurate 1903 Wright Flyer reproduction that will exclusively re-enact the Wright brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., on Dec. 17, 2003 - exactly 100 years later. More information about Countdown to Kitty Hawk can be found at www.countdowntokittyhawk.org.

About the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission: The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission was created by Congress to expand national and international interest in the commemoration of the centennial of powered flight. The Commission is coordinating a national outreach campaign and advising the President, Congress and federal agencies on the most effective ways to encourage and promote national and international participation in 2003. Its members include the director of the National Air and Space Museum, the administrators of NASA and the FAA, the presidents of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and First Flight Centennial Foundation of North Carolina and the chairman of Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003. More information about the Commission can be found on the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission Website at www.centennialofflight.gov.