Aviation Week and Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003 Announce Next Century Of Flight Partnership.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 23, 2000

AVIATION WEEK, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) and Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003, The Centennial Celebration, today announced their partnership in The Next Century of Flight, the global, multimedia education campaign to celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered, controlled flight in 2003 and anticipate the future of aviation.

The partnership will capitalize on AVIATION WEEK'S global multimedia leadership and Inventing Flight's status as the organization representing the birthplace of aviation, Dayton, Ohio. The partnership will promote worldwide enthusiasm for the spirit of invention and the lessons of flight through event, education, interactive and promotional initiatives.

"We are proud to welcome Inventing Flight and the Dayton `birthplace of aviation' legacy it represents, as partners in The Next Century of Flight," said AVIATION WEEK Executive Vice President/Publisher Kenneth E. Gazzola. "This alliance will help us to deliver on our commitment to educate audiences around the world about aviation's incredible history and its exciting vision for the 21st Century."

The Next Century of Flight campaign was launched in 1998 and integrates print, online, event and broadcast media to add perspective and insight to the story of flight's past and the promise of its future. Most recently, the campaign successfully debuted The Next Century of Flight Showcase Pavilion at the Farnborough International Air Show, where it hosted hundreds of industry VIPs and thousands of public visitors who reviewed photographic timelines of historic aircraft, tested an interactive demonstration of the new Next Century of Flight web site and previewed upcoming NCF-TV programs.

The Showcase also spotlighted NCF partners American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Iconixx, the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC), plus the ongoing collaboration of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

"The opportunity provided by the Next Century of Flight partnership allows us to make the most of our established relationships, such as those with the Federal Centennial of Flight Commission, to achieve the common goal of drawing international attention to the innovation that was born in Dayton, Ohio -- and continues in spirit today all over the globe," said William J. Roess, Chief Operating Officer of Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003.

"Clearly, the Next Century of Flight program's goals are closely aligned with the goals established by Inventing Flight in 1989," continued Roess.

"The rich history of the Wright brothers' example reminds us that works of genius come in all forms and may even come from unlikely places--from bicycle shops in Dayton to garages in the Silicon Valley. Our organization will seize the opportunity offered by the centennial to celebrate the innovative spirit of the Wright brothers and their worldwide legacy through a year-long series of events in 2003."

Inventing Flight has worked for several years to implement and launch a once in a lifetime set of experiences that instill a joyful enthusiasm for new ideas via educational, arts, sports and aviation events.

Events drawing attention to the centennial have already begun in Dayton, with Marion Wright's christening of a representation of the Wright brothers' 1911 Model EX aircraft "Vin Fiz" in July of 2000. The Flight of the Vin Fiz, the first transcontinental flight, will be re-enacted in 2002 to draw national attention to the celebration.

Activities in Dayton will culminate in July of 2003. These experiences will include special events at the United States Air Force Museum, the Dayton International Airport, the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, along with other partners and venues, such as AVIATION WEEK'S Next Century of Flight program. A spectacular air show with several surprise aircraft is planned, along with specially commissioned art and dance programs, cycling events and a Centennial Exposition.

With nearly 50 products and services and a core audience of some one million professionals and enthusiasts, AVIATION WEEK, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, is the world's premier multimedia information and service provider to the aviation and aerospace market. The cornerstone of the AVIATION WEEK portfolio is AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY, the world's leading aviation and aerospace industry magazine, covering the commercial, military and space markets for more than 440,000 readers in 130 countries. AviationNow.com expands the company's extensive web presence by delivering the most comprehensive real-time news, professional information and e-business Internet portal in the global aviation/aerospace industry.

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, Business Week and McGraw-Hill Education. The corporation has more than 400 offices in 32 countries. Sales in 1999 were $4.0 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com

Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003 was founded in 1989 to promote aviation, the Wright brothers and especially Dayton, Ohio's role in the birth and future of aviation. Drawing from the rich history of the Wright brothers, Inventing Flight will launch a once in a lifetime experience that instills joyful enthusiasm for new ideas.