"Conquistadors of the Sky"

Greetings!,   The Museum's Chief Curator, Dan Hagedorn, is one of the world's experts on the history aviation in Latin America. "Conquistadors of the Sky," his new book on the subject, is the basis of a presentation he will deliver at the Museum on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. The program will feature dozens of rare photographs and images not included in the book to illustrate his dramatic story of the people, innovations and politics in commercial and military aviation south of the U.S. border. The program is in the William M. Allen Theater and is free with admission to the Museum. Hagedorn will field questions from the audience, followed by a book signing session in the lobby. Copies of the book will be on sale at the Museum Store.   Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont was the first person after the Wright brothers to fly a powered airplane. Though they are often overlooked, he and others in Latin America played key roles in the development of aviation. With the region's many geographic obstacles aviation was soon recognized as the fastest means of transportation, making air travel in the 1930s more commonplace there than in the United States. Since then, aviation-and local innovations in the field-have continued to influence the region's cultures, politics and commerce. Hagedorn's program will be an enlightening look at the unique stories of flight in the skies above Latin America.   Don't forget that the Museum Store is a great place to shop for holiday gifts! Visit our locations at The Museum of Flight and City Centre Mall in downtown Seattle (1420 5th Ave., Seattle) or online at www.museumofflightstore.org. Dream, Discover, Soar!   Sincerely, The Museum of Flight   December 2008 DECEMBER 2008   WELLS FARGO FREE FIRST THURSDAY Thursday, Dec. 4, 5 - 9 p.m. Once a month, the Museum stays open late-for free! Enjoy the Museum's Great Gallery, Personal Courage Wing, Space: Exploring the New Frontier exhibit, flight simulators and more from 5 - 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. Museum Store and Wings Café will also remain open for the extended hours on this night. Also on this evening, the Museum Store is offering Museum visitors 15% off of their entire purchase!   CONQUISTADORS OF THE SKY: LECTURE AND BOOK SIGNING WITH CURATOR DAN HAGEDORN Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. in the William M. Allen Theater Dan Hagedorn has been senior curator at the Museum for a short period of time, but he is a well-known aviation historian and author, specializing in Latin American aviation history. His new book "Conquistadors of the Sky: A History of Aviation in Latin America" published by the University Press of Florida is a "primer on Latin Americans' contribution to aviation history." Hagedorn will share his new book on Saturday, Dec. 6 with a book signing after the lecture. The book will be available in the Museum Store.     AIAA SPECIAL PRESENTATION: A PERSPECTIVE ON OPTIMIZATION Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. in the William M. Allen Theater The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics is the world's largest technical society devoted to the global aerospace community. The AIAA will present Dr. Kumar G. Bhatia, senior technical fellow for The Boeing Company, who will give "A Perspective on Optimization." Optimization in its multitude of forms has entered all aspects of design. Bhatia will present insights on the role of optimization in the design process.   WRIGHT SPIRIT CELEBRATION Saturday, Dec. 20 beginning at 10 a.m. Celebrate the Wright brothers' first flight, along with the spirit of the season! Santa will arrive by helicopter at 10 a.m., and then he and Mrs. Claus will greet children in the Great Gallery until 2 p.m. Performances include the Seattle Lutheran Bell Choir, which will play traditional and contemporary holiday melodies at 11 a.m., and the Boeing Employees' Orchestra of Flight at noon. This is one of the Museum's biggest family events of the year!   1903 WRIGHT FLYER TIP-TO-TAIL TOUR Sunday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The Wright Flyer presentation will be by Docent Jerry Swearingen, whose Great Uncle, Charles Furnas, was the first airplane passenger in 1908.   WINTER BREAK BLAST OFF! Friday, Dec. 26 - Tuesday, Dec. 30, Noon - 3 p.m. each day Gliders, helicopters or rockets - what will it be? Join us for our daily aviation-themed activities during the holiday break.   BLACKBIRD TIP-TO-TAIL TOURS Friday, Dec. 26 - Sunday, Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily Still the fastest piloted jet the world has ever seen some four decades after its first flights, the Lockheed Blackbird continues to fascinate and amaze. And so do the Museum's wonderfully knowledgeable docents! Continuing a holiday tradition, the docents pull out all the stops for their special Tip-to-Tail Tours of the Museum's unique M/D-21 Blackbird and Drone. Even if you think you know the Blackbird story well, you are sure to learn something new among the astounding facts and figures the docents share.    Scheduled Events DECEMBER 2008 EVENTS       The Museum of Flight 206.764.5720 Membership 206.764.5711, email Volunteering 206.768.7179, email Giving 206.768.7162, email Education 206.768.7116,  email Museum Store 206.764.5704