A Troubled Aviation Industry Celebrates 100 Years Of Flight

In a year marked by increased paranoia on the part of governments and air passengers, when the industry was in one of its worst slumps ever and terrorists threatened to again turn commercial flights into guided weapons, the world tried hard to put it all aside and celebrate the Centennial Of Flight. But, alas, even the weather turned against us. Of the December 16th ceremonies under rainy skies at Kill Devil Hills (NC), we wrote:

Gray sky, chilly air and pouring rain did not dampen the sprit of an enthusiastic crowd Dec. 17 as they awaited the arrival of the event’s most anticipated guest speaker. President George W. Bush was scheduled to address the crowd at the Wright Brothers National Memorial on Dec. 17, the last day of the yearlong centennial of flight celebration.

Around 9:20 a.m., the thunderous roar of five Marine Corps helicopters cut through the sounds of patriotic music, crowd noise and the reverberation of public-service announcements. Heads turned toward the aircraft above the tree line just west of the stage. Despite miserable weather and rumors he would not show, the president had arrived.

Following an introduction by Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton, the president took the stage.

“For as long as there is human flight, we will honor the achievement on a cold morning on the outer banks of North Carolina, by two young brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright,” Bush said.

FMI: Bush: Wright Qualities Define Nation; ANN Exclusive: Wright Flyer WILL Fly!