#28 to John S Hendricks

George MacArthur 3 Kari Court Lindsay Ontario K9V 6B7 705-878-9878 geomac@cogeco.ca georgemacarthur.com February 22 2013 John S. Hendricks xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx

Dear Mr. Hendricks:

On August 28 2012, I sent a reality series proposal about the pursuit of the Sikorsky Prize, which you turned over to Julia Wagman. I realize you do not have any involvement in programming, but Discovery is what it is because at one time you did, and I would argue strongly that under your early watch, the content was more educational, more interesting, and less sordid than it is today.

I am respectfully requesting you make an exception and intercede for the following reasons: 1. The series requires the participation of the University of Maryland.

2. You are the only person who can make this series happen.

3. The story arc begs for presentation.

I have provided you with my letter to Dr. Pines. I have also included all emails exchanged with your development team and the project proposal as submitted to the Producer's Portal.

There are only two possible outcomes from a green light. Either I am going to win the Sikorsky Prize, or I am going to be credited with (almost) single-handedly bringing the inevitable winner to a very large worldwide audience through a Discovery Channel series about the most compelling aviation competition in history, and either outcome is fine with me.

I sent Suzanne an email and requested it be forwarded to you. I also followed up with a letter couriered to Discovery Place, but perhaps she withheld the email and the envelope. I had two very pleasant conversations with Suzanne in December, and she was initially quite intrigued and interested in helping, but something in her changed after she spoke with Ms. Selinski and Ms. Wagman.

I would be extremely grateful if you would consider persuading Dr. Pines to take part in this series and asking your Discovery Channel team to commence the process of development. Please note a change in the tentative name of the series to The Da Vinci Project, which is more appealing.

Mr. Hendricks, also have your people put the following query to any focus group: Would you watch a completely true and unscripted Discovery Channel reality series about two top ranked engineering schools and an outrageous but brilliant grade nine dropout all battling to build a human powered helicopter that can climb ten feet and stay in the air for 60 seconds where the winner will receive $250 000 and have their helicopter placed in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum?

If the affirmative responses meet or exceed the affirmative response average of all shows that have been greenlighted by Discovery and were deemed successful, then Discovery has an obligation to move forward on this project.

One other thing Mr. Hendricks. To bring this series to discerning Discovery viewers, the development team does not have to understand or even like me. However, in time, they will come to appreciate my ability to capture an audience.

Sincerely,

George MacArthur