Message From EAA President Congratulating SpaceShipOne Team

"All EAA members are thrilled with today's success by SpaceShipOne on becoming the first civilian spacecraft to reach the boundaries of space. It is truly a monumental achievement that opens a new age in flight.

"We are also very proud that the thinking behind this revolutionary flight came from minds that began in the world of homebuilt aircraft. Both Burt and Mike are longtime EAA members who have also participated at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for many years. In addition, Burt's 30-year history of innovative aircraft designs holds a prominent place in the year-round collection at the EAA AirVenture Museum.

"We are very much looking forward to hearing from Burt when he joins us at EAA AirVenture this summer and discusses these efforts at a number of presentations and forums."

Rutan is scheduled to participate at EAA AirVenture this year, as he has for the past three decades. He and, hopefully, Melvill will be at AirVenture Oshkosh '04.  They will be arriving in Bob Scherer's Beech Starship, and the aircraft will be parked on Aeroshell Square. This aircraft is only one of four that is still in private hands. In addition, it is the official chase aircraft for Burt's Tier One Program (White Knight/SpaceShipOne).

 
Rutan's AirVenture schedule is as follows:

• Thursday, July 29: 8:55 p.m., Theater in the Woods - "Fun in Mojave"
• Friday, July 30: 8:30 a.m., Forums Building 7 - "Life after Airliners"
• •  11:30 a.m., Forums Building 7 - "Private Manned Space Program"
  •  2:30 p.m., Forums Building 7 - "A Chat with the Rutan Brothers"
• Saturday, July 31: 10 a.m., Forums Building 7 - "Private Manned Space Program"
• •  2:30 p.m., Forums Building 7 - "Tent Talk Show"

FMI: www.eaa.org