March 22, 2005
ROLLS-ROYCE SPONSORS 2005 NATIONAL AVIATION HERITAGE INVITATIONAL
Chantilly, VA. - Rolls-Royce today pledged its support for the 2005 National Aviation Heritage Invitational (NAHI). Rolls-Royce has sponsored this event since it began in 1998, confirming the company's commitment to the preservation of aviation history.
This year, the Eastern Regional competition will take place at the Dayton Air Show in Dayton, Ohio on July 16-17 and the Western Regional competition will be held in conjunction with the Reno Air Races in Reno, Nevada September 16-18.
The Invitational brings aviation history alive through the joint efforts of Rolls-Royce, the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the Reno Air Racing Foundation. The Invitational encourages the preservation and restoration of historic aircraft at least 45 years old to airworthy condition and to the very highest standards of workmanship, presentation and accuracy.
"Through Rolls-Royce and the National Aviation Hall of Fame, our common goal is to preserve aviation history and bring together all the elements," said Robert "Hoot" Gibson, Captain USN (Ret.) and Ambassador for the National Aviation Heritage Invitational. "It's a delight to display these aircraft in restored condition and recognize those involved for their work."
The aircraft owners and restorers will compete in each region in three categories: the Antique category, for civilian designed aircraft manufactured in 1935 or earlier; the Classic category, for civilian aircraft manufactured after 1935 and before 1960; and the Warbird category, for military aircraft at least 45 years old in original, or restored to original, condition.
A five-member panel will serve as judges, including representatives of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. Each aircraft is judged on its technical merit and how well it represents the aircraft early in its career. Authenticity to the original manufacturer's condition is the "gold standard" for each plane.
The overall winner of each Invitational is presented with the Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy. The trophy is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia where the winner's name and the name of the restoration facility is engraved on a plaque placed on the trophy. Entry applications, details on eligibility and judging criteria are available at www.heritagetrophy.org.
For further information contact:
Director, Lorraine Rodman 703-621-2774
or
Invitational Coordinator, Alan Mangels 703-621-2734
Corporate note to editors:
Rolls-Royce operates in four global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy. It is investing in technology and capability that can be exploited in each of these sectors to create a competitive range of products.
The success of these products is demonstrated by the company's rapid and substantial gains in market share over recent years. The company now has a total of 54,000 gas turbines in service worldwide. The investments in product, capability and infrastructure to gain this market position create high barriers to entry.
Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces and more than 2,000 marine customers, including 70 navies. The company has energy customers in nearly 120 countries. Rolls-Royce employs around 35,000 people, of which 21,000 are in the UK. Forty per cent of its employees are based outside the UK - including 5,000 in the rest of Europe and 8,000 in North America.
The large installed base of engines generates demand for the provision of services. A key element of the company's strategy is to maximize services revenues, which have increased by 60 per cent over the past five years, by the provision of a comprehensive portfolio of services.
Annual sales total nearly £6 billion, of which 55 per cent are services revenues. The order book is more than £21 billion, which, together with demand for services, provides visibility as to future activity levels.
For further information please contact:
Ginny Person
Corporate Communications
Rolls-Royce North America Inc.
Tel 703-621-2764
Fax 703-709-6087
Email: ginny.person@rolls-royce.com
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