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| A-12
Blackbird reconnaissance plane is part of
the Science Center’s collection of aviation
and spacecraft exhibits visitors will see
at the Centennial of Flight Festival. Photo
by Leroy Hamilton. |
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Los
Angeles – The California Science
Center invites the public to celebrate the first
100 years of powered flight at the Centennial
of Flight Festival November 15 & 16,
2003 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival, which
is made possible by the generous sponsorship of
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, will offer something for everyone
– from children to air and space enthusiasts
– and is one of many events taking place across
the country to commemorate the historic 1903 flight
of the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
Festival
activities will take place in the Science Center
main building, in its Air and Space Gallery and
along State Drive, lined with colorful booths
from cultural, community and business organizations,
as well as a food court. Festival highlights will
include:
Microsoft
1903 Wright Flyer Simulator – Would-be
pilots can take to the virtual skies in a simulator
designed to recreate the historic flight of Orville
and Wilbur Wright. Using a hand lever and a shifting
hip mechanism, visitors will control virtual takeoffs
and landings in front of a giant panoramic projection
screen, with technology developed for “Microsoft
Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight,”
a 20th anniversary product from Microsoft. The
Science Center is one of nine museums selected
nationwide to host this historically significant
exhibit.
“Atmospheric”
Exhibits – Visitors will be able
to see up-close the Science Center’s collection
of air and space craft, including a newly restored
flying replica 1902 Wright glider, the all-titanium
A-12 Blackbird trainer, and the Northrop F-20
Tigershark. They can also view the Gemini 11 capsule
flown by astronauts Pete Conrad and Dick Gordon
and the Mercury MR-2 capsule that carried Ham,
the chimpanzee.
“Precision”
Performing Arts – The theme of
flight will be interpreted by dance troupes, musicians,
actors and storytellers reflecting the diverse
cultures of Southern California at designated
locations both inside and outside the Science
Center.
“Flight-worthy” IMAX Films
– Special screenings of the classic films
To Fly!, and Silent Sky, plus crowd favorite Space
Station 3D will be shown on the IMAX Theater’s
seven-stories-high movie screen, where moviegoers
feel as though they’re part of the action.
“Sky-high” Special Activities
– Guests can look skyward for flyovers of
vintage and military aircraft, and weather permitting,
take tethered hot-air balloon rides to a lofty
altitude of 50 feet!
In addition, there will be science demonstrations,
make-and-take activities, face painting and historic
aviation photographs.
Admission
to the festival exhibits and performances is free.
IMAX Theater tickets range in price from $4.50
to $7.50. There is a nominal charge for hot-air
balloon rides, face-painting and food court fare.
Guests can visit www.californiasciencecenter.org
or call (323) SCIENCE (724-3623) for recorded
information.
Editor's Note:
The California Science Center, located at 700
State Drive in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, is
open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Enter visitor parking
at 39th and Figueroa Streets; parking is $6 per
car; $10 for buses or oversized vehicles. Both
the Science Center and IMAX Theater are wheelchair
accessible.
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