Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center
The Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center (NAEC) is the flagship of the American Airpower Heritage Museum (AAHM), an affiliate of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).
The NAEC is a 47,000 square foot facility located on the CAF National Airbase campus at Dallas Executive Airport. With the mission to Honor the Past, Empower the Future, and using our unparalleled access to flight, living history, and historical artifacts, we offer educationally rigorous and engaging programming for all ages and backgrounds. With formal and informal educational opportunities, the NAEC focuses on hands-on experiential learning grounded in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
The NAEC is also an incubator for programming that can be used by the more than 80 CAF Units nationwide.
The facility is also the home of the largest collection of WWII Nose Art in the world and has a selection of historical artifacts on display.
The NAEC held a grand opening for the public in November of 2021. The NAEC Capital Campaign was successfully completed at the end of 2021.
As we move forward confidently, your on-going support for the NAEC will help to ignite a passion in our younger generations. Using the lure of flight and the legacy of our Greatest Generation, we will empower the next generation through the development of 21st century job skills: creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking and citizenship – leading each individual to a more successful future.
For more information on the Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center, please visit: www.flynaec.org
About the CAF's Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center
Through a combination of unique partnerships, volunteers, aircraft, aviation tools, and technical knowledge, the NAEC creates a valuable and hands-on learning environment for students of all ages and demographics. Additionally, the facility is designed as a hub for the CAF’s growing educational campus. Because of our national scope, the NAEC will be used as a development lab for educational programs to be exported to our units and partners across the country.
This facility represents the CAF’s goal to develop educational programs that teach students Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) aviation sciences and history to develop leadership and 21st century job skills. The CAF is excited to develop this opportunity in Southern Dallas, a community lacking in quality educational resources for local schools. The NAEC consists of flexible, non-traditional learning spaces to get students out of the classroom and into hands-on projects that are engaging.
Our exhibits feature five stories from World War II: (1) Texas’ role in the Allied victory; (2) Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), America’s first female military pilots; (3) Aztec Eagles, a Mexican fighter squadron, (4) Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first Black military pilots, and (5) Rosie the Riveter, women who worked in manufacturing roles to support America’s war effort. In addition, the James C. Ray Education Wing includes workshops, classrooms, and meeting spaces.
Two significant rare World War II aircraft, FIFI, a B-29 Superfortress and Diamond Lil, a B-24 Liberator are based out of this facility as well. Operational aircraft, especially our warbirds, require lots of love. The NAEC will provide a space to help us accomplish our maintenance and restoration work, while also sharing it with younger generations.
Outdoor space includes the Victory Plaza and an open-air pavilion. The entire space functions well for students of all ages to experience hands-on science activities, as well as the opportunity to capture the imagination of students through airplanes.
The NAEC hosts a fleet of education programs to develop 21st century job skills: creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, citizenship. Click here for a current menu of programs offered.
