ADVISORY/Van Nuys Airport Aviation Expo 2003: Opening Ceremonies.

City Desks/Aviation Writers

ADVISORY...for Saturday, June 21

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT:         Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn will kick off two days' worth
              of excitement at Van Nuys Airport's Aviation Expo 2003,
              which celebrates the Centennial of Flight and the 75th
              anniversary of aviation in Los Angeles.

WHEN:         Opening ceremonies on Saturday, June 21, at 10 a.m.,
              followed by aerial demonstrations at 10:30 a.m.

WHO:          Scheduled participants in the opening ceremonies
              include:

              --  Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn
              --  Los Angeles City Councilmember Dennis Zine (Third
                   District)
              --  Los Angeles City Councilmember-Elect Tony Cardenas
                   (Sixth District)
              --  Selena Birk, Van Nuys Airport Manager
              --  Coby King, President of the Van Nuys Airport
                   Citizens Advisory Council
              --  Jaye Howes, President of the San Fernando Valley
                  Chapter of the Ninety-Nines
              --  The Monroe High School ROTC and the Van Nuys High
                  School Marching Band

WHERE:        Expo 2003's service entrance at 8050 Balboa Blvd.
              (Thomas Guide, p. 531, D-2) Credentialed media will be
              escorted to the event site.

BACKGROUND:   Aviation Expo 2003, open to the public from 9 a.m. to
              5 p.m. on June 21 and 22, will feature an exact replica
              of the 1903 Wright Flyer -- the first aircraft to
              achieve sustained, powered flight. Additional highlights
              include flyovers by the F-117A Stealth Fighter and other
              top gun military jets, high-energy aerobatics
              performances, skydiving shows, military and vintage
              aircraft displays, and live entertainment. Up to 300,000
              spectators are expected during the weekend.

              Aerial demonstrations are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and
              2 p.m. each day. The June 21 morning aerial program
              features flyovers by World War II vintage AT-6 Texans
              and by a modern F-18E Super Hornet in formation with a
              vintage Corsair fighter, spectacular aerobatics
              demonstrations, sky sailing with daylight pyrotechnics,
              skydivers jumping with 5,000-square-foot U.S. and
              centennial-of-flight flags, and more. The opening
              ceremonies also will feature the presentation of
              scholarships to students pursuing aviation careers.
              Excellent visuals throughout the weekend.