By Karen Bloom
In celebrating the centennial of that stunning and magnificent human achievement, the Cradle of Aviation Museum salutes the Wright Brothers this year as it marks Long Island's own important contributions to aviation history. "Aviation has grown, boomed and evolved on Long Island," said Cradle of Aviation President Ed Smits. "Long Island has helped transform aviation from a dangerous curiosity to a viable means of transportation."Visitors can experience the impact of the Wright Brothers' first flight and get a first-hand account of how flight has changed the world during the Museum's year-long activities. A special interactive exhibit highlighting aviation's most important developments opened in June and runs through the end of December. Nine exhibits showcase major technological advances in a way that makes aviation accomplishment accessible to all ages. Among the exhibits, "Controlling The Airplane" enables visitors to experience a full-scale Wright Brothers Flyer cockpit and operate the controls of a Wright Brothers Model B Aircraft.There are also displays on the evolution of flying machines, following the transition from wood and fabric planes to steel and aluminum. Visitors will be able to touch guns riveted to WWII planes, as well as study the flight of helicopters through an interactive display. A Sperry-manufactured gyroscope provides a unique perspective on advances in aviation.The anniversary celebration continues with a different twist when a four-part lecture series, beginning this month, salutes the Wright Brothers by giving leading aviation experts a forum to speak on the evolution of flight over the years. "We celebrate this milestone in aviation history by bringing aviation experts to Long Island," said the museum's Chief Operating Officer Claudia M. Oakes. "This series will honor those who have made such incredible contributions to aviation and space travel worldwide and right here on Long Island."It kicks off Friday evening, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m., when former astronaut Fred Haise delivers the keynote address, "Failure Is Not An Option," the story of Apollo 13. Haise served as pilot of the lunar module which became the crew's lifeboat home during the infamous mission. He was also backup lunar module pilot for Apollo 8 and 11 and backup spacecraft commander for the Apollo 16 mission. Next up is "Family Reminiscences of the Wright Brothers," which takes place less than two weeks before the centennial anniversary of that first flight on December 17, 1903. Marianne Hudec, a niece of Orville Wright, shares special memories of the brothers Wright. As a child, Hudec spent many hours in "Uncle Orv's" home. Spring brings Dr. Tom D. Crouch, Senior Curator of the Division of Aeronautics at the National Air and Space Museum. He explores why the Wright Brothers succeeded when so many before them had failed in his lecture, "Why Wilbur and Orville," March 25. Crouch tells the story of the airplane's invention and how the Wrights solved problems that had baffled so many others.The celebration concludes with "Inside the Blue Angels," May 20. Capt. Robert Rasmusssen, who flew with the Blue Angels for three years, beginning in 1956, presents a unique examination of the world's most famous precision flying team. "Something for everyone" is how museum officials look at their events honoring this significant anniversary in aviation history. " For those who haven't already experienced all that the Cradle of Aviation museum has to offer, now is an opportune time share in the Wright Brothers' monumental achievements and Long Island's role in furthering their vision.
