The Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center (NAEC), named in honor of Mr. Tippie, a World War II veteran {click to learn more}, is the flagship of the American Airpower Heritage Museum (AAHM). The NAEC is a 47,000 square foot facility at Dallas Executive Airport dedicated to education with the mission to Honor the Past, Empower the Future. Providing opportunities for all ages and backgrounds, it includes hands-on educational displays and historical artifacts. Educational programs inspire and foster the development of 21st Century employable job skills and career paths.
With construction completed in early 2021, internal “fit and finish” activities are underway, with a grand opening projected for the third quarter. While the facility is currently closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic to limit the number of visitors at one time, various educational programs are being offered to registered participants, following CDC protocols.
The AAHM is a part of the American Airpower Heritage Group (The Group), which is comprised of several non-profit organizations, including the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). All members of The Group are commonly controlled and frequently, the CAF, as the most recognizable name, is often used to reference members of the The Group. In January 2021, for legal reasons, the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center was reorganized to be under the AAHM. The CAF was founded in 1957 when several pilots came together to ensure the legacy of the aircraft, and the men and women who built, flew and maintained them, during World War II was not forgotten.
The CAF is the nation’s leading organization devoted to educating, inspiring, and honoring through flight and living history experiences. We own and operate more than 170 aircraft in 80 units across the United States—the largest collection of vintage military aircraft in the world. Educational outreach impacts millions of Americans through school presentations, airshows, flight demonstrations, and educational activities.