NEWS RELEASE

Communications and Marketing Office
600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900

For more information, contact:
Phone: 386-226-6157
Fax: 386-226-6158

Embry-Riddle to Present Florida SkyFest 2005 at Daytona Beach International Airport

Daytona Beach, Fla., Jan. 27, 2005 -- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will continue its tradition of world-class air shows this fall as the university celebrates Florida SkyFest 2005 at Daytona Beach International Airport.

The Oct. 29 and 30 event will feature the best civilian and military aviation talent in the country. The nationally recognized air show performers include Patty Wagstaff, the nation's best-known female pilot; aerobatic champion Mike Goulian; Mike Mancuso and Matt Chapman (team aerobatics); Gene Soucy and his fearless wing-walker Teresa Stokes; and The Shockwave Jet Truck, a super-charged vehicle capable of reaching speeds of 376 mph. Eric Beard and Lee Lauderback, both Embry-Riddle graduates, will also be featured performers. Military aircraft scheduled to fly include the F-15, F-16, and F-18.

In addition to the air show portion of SkyFest, a large selection of aircraft will be on display. Most of these aircraft will be staffed with Embry-Riddle alumni who have flown them to the show.

Florida SkyFest is part of a week-long program at Embry-Riddle that includes a Career Fair, Parent Weekend, Prospective Student Weekend, the Homecoming parade, student sporting events, and industry receptions. All activities culminate with Florida SkyFest.

Joni Hunt, Embry-Riddle's director of Air Show Events, said Florida SkyFest is expected to deliver maximum economic benefit to the Daytona Beach area.

"Florida SkyFest is strategically planned to fall within the normally quiet time in Daytona Beach between Biketoberfest and the beginning of Speed Week," Hunt said. "The event will add to the local economy in the form of increased hotel occupancy, additional car rentals, higher traffic in the restaurants, and an increase in overall sales, including souvenirs."

Embry-Riddle has chosen to present Florida SkyFest at Daytona Beach International Airport where the expansive grounds can accommodate large static aircraft displays, sponsors, local organization venues, and vendor space.

The airport grounds will contain a children's area with games and activities, creative displays from local merchants, souvenirs, flight simulators, and a variety of food and beverage offerings.

Daytona Beach International Airport and Embry-Riddle have a history of staging exciting aerial entertainment, and Florida SkyFest 2005 promises to be the latest chapter in that memorable series of performances.

For additional information, contact Joni Hunt at 386-226-4913 or joni.hunt@erau.edu or go to www.FloridaSkyFest.com.

Embry-Riddle, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering and meets the needs of students and industry through its educational, training, research, and consulting activities. Embry-Riddle educates more than 30,000 students annually in undergraduate and graduate programs at residential campuses in Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach, Fla., through the Extended Campus at more than 130 teaching centers in the United States and Europe, and worldwide through distance learning.