WRIGHTS' FIRST FLIGHT NOTED IN THE REGION.

Byline: Jim Skeen Staff Writer

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - Modest observances in ``Aerospace Valley'' on Wednesday marked the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first flight.

In Palmdale, a B-2 bomber named The Spirit of Missouri took off Wednesday morning from Air Force Plant 42 in a flight marking both the centennial of powered flight and the 10th anniversary of the delivery of the first B-2 to the Air Force.

The bomber flew to Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, where the B-2 fleet is based.

At NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, three F/A-18 jets made an anniversary flyover at the end of regular pilot- proficiency flights.

Two of the NASA jets, flown by Dryden research pilots Dana Purifoy and Gordon Fullerton, made a low formation pass over Dryden while the third, flown by Dryden research pilot Frank Batteas, made a high-altitude pass at supersonic speed.

``NASA Dryden Flight Research Center - like every institution dedicated to air and space research - owes not only a debt but its very existence to Wilbur and Orville Wright,'' said Bob Meyer, Dryden's acting deputy director, in an e-mail to the center's staff. ``But our relationship to the brothers is even closer than most. In actuality, many of the flight research techniques practiced at NASA Dryden had their origins in the Wrights' systematic approach to flight research and test on their gliders and airplanes. Therefore, in a real sense, we are their legacy.''

For Air Force personnel at Edwards, it was business as usual Wednesday. The base had commemorated the flight centennial during its October open house, which featured a Wright Flyer replica.

Edwards' commander, Maj. Gen. Doug Pearson, was in North Carolina on Wednesday to attend the 100th anniversary celebration at Kitty Hawk, joining VIPs such as President George W. Bush and Secretary of the Air Force James Roche.

Palmdale-built B-2s were featured in two other anniversary celebrations - one at Dayton, Ohio, home of the Wright brothers, and the other at Kitty Hawk, N.C.

Lancaster celebrated the anniversary with talks and demonstrations at an aerospace exhibition in the city museum/art gallery. The exhibition, which includes an 8-foot model of the Wright Flyer, runs through Jan. 11 at the museum, 44801 Sierra Highway.

Palmdale celebrated the anniversary earlier this month with an event at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center that included a recap of aviation milestones.

Jim Skeen, [phone]

james.skeen(at)dailynews.com

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Photo:

(color) A B-2 stealth bomber named The Spirit of Missouri takes off from Air Force Plant 42 in a ceremonial flight.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer