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The world celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the short but momentous 12-second, 120-foot flight of Orville and Wilbur Wright last year. We shouldn’t forget the spirit of that celebration as we commemorate National Aviation Day this month on August 19. Today, as we look ahead, the U.S. aerospace industry faces many challenges, but an equally exciting vision for the future lies ahead.

The Nation’s Vision for Space Exploration, announced by President Bush on January 14th, will establish an outpost on the moon as a stepping stone to sending astronauts to Mars and beyond. Like the golden days of Apollo it promises to renew the human spirit, excite a new generation of students to pursue engineering and science, and open exciting avenues of innovation in the aerospace industry, which will offer the world a host of benefits we cannot even imagine today.

On the commercial side, air travel is returning to pre 9/11 levels and the demand for new commercial airliners is beginning to grow. Boeing, one of America’s aerospace jewels, is developing the 7E7 “Dreamliner,” a revolutionary new aircraft that will change air travel. This, in turn, will help keep our government focused on developing a state-of-the-art air transportation system that will allow millions more Americans to travel efficiently and safely.

Our nation’s responsibilities around the globe have grown with the threat of terrorism. The U.S. Defense and Homeland Security Departments have responded and are developing new technologies and purchasing new systems to keep Americans safe. Investment in defense-related aerospace research and development increased $69 billion over the past five years, which will provide significant improvements in the ability of our troops to defend our borders and interests across the world.

Leadership and determination will be needed for this vision to become a reality. It won’t be easy and the challenges to overcome like increasing aeronautics funding and reforming our export control system are formidable, to say the least. However, AIA is an organization of leaders, and we are determined that the remarkable industry started by Orville and Wilbur Wright will reach new heights in the years ahead.