Raytheon to Send TARC Winners to Farnborough International Air Show

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Raytheon to Send TARC Winners to Farnborough International Air Show
    ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- A trip to the Farnborough
International Air Show near London in July 2006 awaits the Fourth Annual
Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) winners courtesy of AIA member
Raytheon Company.
    The trip, which will be in addition to the winner's share of the TARC
purse of more than $60,000 in savings bonds and cash, will give the
victorious students a hands-on look at applied aerospace engineering, the
skill the contest is promoting, AIA President and CEO John Douglass said.
    "TARC is a great way to introduce these kids to aerospace through the
challenges of engineering a model rocket," Douglass said. "Taking the
winners to Farnborough will show them what these lessons lead to in the
real world."
    TARC, the world's largest rocket contest, pits teams of between three
and 15 middle and high school students in a challenge to build and
successfully launch a model without breaking a raw-egg payload. The final
round of competition is scheduled for May 20 at Great Meadow in The Plains,
Va. The goal is to launch the rockets as close as possible to 800 feet in
altitude and 45 seconds in flight duration.
    "Rewarding the TARC winners with a trip to Farnborough is right in line
with Raytheon's emphasis on promoting math and science education among
young people through our MathMovesU initiative," said Raytheon Executive
Vice President for Business Development Thomas M. Culligan. "We hope that
this will help motivate the winners and all the competitors to stick with
science and math and ultimately pursue a career in aerospace."
    The Farnborough International Air Show is one of the largest and most
prestigious aerospace events in the world. It includes flying
demonstrations of both civil and military aircraft from around the world as
well as static displays from thousands of aerospace companies. Raytheon's
sponsorship will pay for four students and one adult chaperone, including
air fare, lodging, a company tour, and a TARC champion recognition dinner.
    The winning team will attend the air show on Farnborough's
International Youth Day, a program for 1,000 invited students between ages
15 and 23 aimed at attracting youths who show promise in areas that could
lead to aerospace careers. Activities include presentations from test
pilots, scientists, and journalists; a build-a-plane project; and test
spins in aircraft simulators. In addition to commercial jetliners, business
aircraft, and fighter jets, the air show includes special displays on space
products and unmanned aerial vehicles.
    TARC is sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association and the
National Association of Rocketry, the nation's oldest and largest
non-profit organization dedicated to sport rocketry. The contest is
co-sponsored in part by 39 AIA member companies, NASA, the Defense
Department, and the Civil Air Patrol.
    Founded in 1919, the Aerospace Industries Association represents the
nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and
business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, space systems,
aircraft engines, materiel, and related components, equipment services, and
information technology.
SOURCE Aerospace Industries Association
http://www.aia-aerospace.org
http://www.prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Anne Wiskerchen of Aerospace Industries
Association, +1-703-358-1078, Anne.wiskerchen@aia-aerospace.org