RALEIGH, NC
November 24, 2003

Although the general admission tickets for December 17 are sold out for the First Flight Centennial Celebration, you can still get first-class access for all the Celebration activities, including December 17.

The First Flight Centennial Foundation, the fundraising partner for Wright Brothers National Memorial, has limited Centennial Circle memberships remaining. These memberships provide admission, seating and hospitality for two for the entire week of the Celebration. The First Flight Centennial Celebration is December 12 to 17 at Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, NC.

If you want to make a contribution to the cause and enjoy exclusive recognition including seating with guaranteed views of the major activities and access to heated hospitality tent, you may wish to learn more about joining Centennial Circle. Members make a contribution of $2,003, which is tax-deductible excluding the fair market value of admission for two at $50. Memberships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also a few hotel reservations left, available to new members as they join.

How does the tax deduction work? Depending on individual circumstances, the actual cost of a contribution of $2,003 ($1,953 of which is tax-deductible) is about 50% to 60% of the amount contributed.

According to Julie Ketner Rigby, director of development for the Foundation, "Centennial Circle members are a diverse group -- pilots, business people, or just individuals who want to make sure that they and their guest have a truly wonderful experience at this historic celebration."

"We have learned that some people are now paying up to $700 for re-sold general admission tickets through sources like e-bay. It may have been more advantageous to contribute the $2,003. After all, after the tax deduction it's really a financial cost of about $1200 or less. And, the two people attending the event would have much better amenities than with general admission tickets."

Those considering membership are encouraged to contact the Foundation by Monday, December 1. If memberships remain after December 1, new members may join at any time but will need to pick up their credentials at a will-call location at the park site.

Centennial Circle member contributions support the charitable objectives of the First Flight Centennial Foundation. The Foundation's goals are to improve Wright Brothers National Memorial and to help fund the Celebration. The Foundation has already accomplished a number of important objectives, including restoring the Wright Monument, site improvements to Big Kill Devil Hill, the new AOPA-funded Pilot Facility at First Flight Airstrip, and a number of event and program initiatives. The Foundation's largest project is the 20,000-square-foot First Flight Centennial Pavilion, which will serve an anticipated 5 million visitors to the site over the next several years with exhibits and special programming. The Foundation has raised and invested over $4 million from private sector contributors for the Celebration, and more importantly, to create a legacy of this historic event in an improved Wright Brothers National Memorial.

For more about Centennial Circle, go to www.firstflightcentennial.org/seats.html. Complete information and a downloadable membership application are available on the web site. To contact the Foundation directly, call 919-715-1362 or 919-715-1377.

Contact:

Ferg Norton First Flight Centennial Foundation
Tel: 919 715 1362

Julie Ketner Rigby
First Flight Centennial Foundation
Tel: 919 715 1377