Bush Pays Tribute to Wright Brothers

Associated Press ^ | Wed, Dec 17, 2003 | SCOTT LINDLAW

[presidio9]

President Bush made a quick trip to pay tribute to the Wright brothers' first flight Wednesday, saying those who witnessed the event 100 years ago sensed "that the world might never be the same."

They may not have envisioned just how commonplace flight would become — especially if you live in the White House. Bush breezed down to North Carolina early Wednesday, delivered his speech, and left in time to be back in Washington by midday.

"In the future, flight will advance in ways that none of us can imagine as we stand here today," said Bush, his hair soaked by rain. "Yet always, for as long as there is human flight, we will honor the achievement on a cold morning on the Outer Banks of North Carolina."

Bush took one flying machine, a helicopter known as Marine One, from the White House to nearby Andrews Air Force Base; then boarded another, the jumbo Boeing 747 commonly known as Air Force One, for North Carolina; then he was onto another helicopter for the hop to the Outer Banks.

He traveled hundreds of miles aloft for a trip lasting only a few hours, which is not unusual for this president: He has logged nearly 100,000 miles on Air Force One this year alone, White House officials say. Wednesday, he flew into a driving rain storm here.

More than 168,000 flights take off from America's airports every day, said Interior Secretary Gale Norton.

Pro-space optimists had buzzed for weeks over whether Bush would use the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' flight to announce a new mission to the moon, but the White House made clear the president had no such intentions.

Actor John Travolta, introducing Bush, told the president, "not only do I vote for that option, but I volunteer to go on the first mission."

Bush made no commitments on a new space mission, but said of Travolta: "We shall call him moon man from now on."

The Wright Flyer "flew just 12 seconds and 40 yards," Bush noted. A second flight lasted 59 seconds.

"Yet everyone who was here at that hour sensed that a great line had been crossed and the world might never be the same," said Bush, a one-time fighter pilot.

The president's trip was a full-circle return of sorts to the dunes of Kill Devil Hills, N.C., just south of Kitty Hawk, the site of "12 seconds that changed the world."

Bush traveled aboard one of the world's most recognizable descendants of the Wright Flyer. He left shortly before a replica of the Wright plane was scheduled to take off at 10:35 a.m. EST. As it turned out, the re-enactment was delayed by rain.

As the president departed, Air Force One passed directly over the muddy field where thousands of spectators were awaiting the re-enactment. Flying at 1,200 feet, the pilot dipped a wing to salute the crowd, and flashbulbs popped by the hundreds below.

Bush needed to return to a busy afternoon schedule at the White House, including policy briefings and holiday receptions, McClellan said. Also, the White House worried his presence might distract from the celebration if he stayed longer, McClellan said.

The Experimental Aircraft Association hired retired pilot Ken Hyde to build a precise Wright flyer replica to fly on the centennial, capping a weeklong festival honoring the Wrights' successful flights of Dec. 17, 1903.

[lilylangtree]

Visited the monument when I vacationed at Outer Banks, NC in July 2002. Beautiful area.

[My2Cents]

U.S. President George W. Bush (news - web sites) talks to John Travolta (R) after the actor introduced him to address a crowd at the First Flight Celebration at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, December 17, 2003. The day honored the first powered flight by Orville Wright on December 17, 1903, which lasted only 12 seconds. In the backdrop is a rendering of Wilbur Wright as he runs alongside 'The Flyer' during its first successful flight. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

U.S. President George W. Bush (news - web sites) waves after addressing a crowd at the First Flight celebration at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, December 17, 2003. The day honored the first powered flight by Orville Wright on December 17, 1903, which lasted only 12 seconds. The backdrop is a portrayal of the Wright Brothers' plane 'The Flyer.' REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

The United States will mark the 100th anniversary of the first flight by the Wright brothers with President George W. Bush (news - web sites) the main guest to see the re-enactment of the takeoff by the 'Wright Flyer'(AFP/Tim Sloan)

[NormsRevenge]

Wed Dec 17, 1:38 PM ET
Wright Experience pilot Kevin Kochersberger lands a Wright 1903 Flyer replica in a puddle during the first attempt at an anniversary flight at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, December 17, 2003. The Flyer didn't get enough wind under its wings (news - Y! TV) and wrecked after raising its nose briefly. Wednesday marks the 100th anniversary of Orville and Wilbur Wright's first flights. (Hart Matthews/Reuters)

[NormsRevenge]

Some good shots over at Yahoo from today's festivites and visiting dignitaries and old space jockeys ;-)

General Chuck Yeager, one of the 100 heroes of aviation, talks with reporters, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2003, in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., during the First Flight Centennial celebration held to honor the Wright Brothers and 100 years of flight. (AP Photo/Grant Halverson)

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The Aeroshell aerobatics stunt team flies by the Wright Brothers National Monument on December 16, 2003 as part of the week long First Flight Centennial Celebration at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. The celebration will culminate with a reenactment of the original Wright Brothers Flight, which took place on December 17, 1903. REUTERS/Ellen Ozier

[Kirkwood]

Many dignitaries flew in for this special occasion - and boy, are their arms tired! Hey, you'll probably hear the same lame joke on Leno.

[ntnychik]

The radio news is reporting that Halliburton warned yesterday that the flight would fail. Meanwhile, enviro nutjobs say the air is different now due to global warning.

[presidio9]

Everything I've ever seen or read about the 1903 flyer says that it is the worst airplane ever built -almost impossible to fly. The fact that it did fly for 13 seconds says more about the Wright Bros. ability as pilots than engineers.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

Everything I've ever seen or read about the 1903 flyer says that it is the worst airplane ever built -almost impossible to fly.

An exaggeration, some conclude this because the 1903 model never flew again, but it was damaged beyond repair after being blown over. I think the Wrights wrote that it needed more power and that the elevator was too sensitive. The next versions had a longer canard moment and more power, other than some refinements to the wing warping that was about it. Later during the end of the decade when the Wrights were trying to sell the machine, new pilots commented that although manueverable very controlable, it was more difficult to fly because it had to be constantly corrected. European aircraft at the time had a huge amount of diehedral and the rudder turned the plane, the yaw and diehedral caused the plane to bank. This worked and the plane was extra stable but sluggish in turns. However the learning curve is easier as the plane will be self correcting when flying level. During WW-I the Europeans learned that the Wrights method of less stable and sensitive was much better.

[hchutch]

It's Dubya and Vic Deakins!

(Sorry Mr. President, but John Travolta will ALWAYS be Vic Deakins...)

[Renegade]

He will always be a "sweathog" to me .