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Capt. Poggiali
was born in Rome, Italy, in 1965. After high school education (Liceo
Scientifico Peano) he attended the Italian Air
Force Academy
from September 1986 until Marc 1990. During this period he studied
Aerospace Engineering, Air Navigation, Law, Management, Air Force
organization and took the basic flying training.
After graduation in March 1990 he was sent to Mather Air Force Base,
California, USA, where he graduated as a navigator in April 1991. In the USA he
also obteined a Private Pilot Licence. Once back in Italy, he completed navigator training at Lecce Air Force
Base.
From August to November 1991 he attended the 164th Tornado GR1 Course at
Trinational Tornado Training Establishment, RAF Cottesmore, UK.
In November 1991 he was assigned to 6th Wing, 154th Tornado Strike
Squadron in Ghedi (Brescia).
He partecipated in several exercises and tactical evaluations and in the
Bosnian conflict related NATO Operation Sharp Guard in the Adriatic Sea. In September 1994 Capt. Poggiali was
selected and posted to 311th Squadron of Reparto Sperimentale Volo, the
Italian Air Force Official Test Centre, at Pratica di Mare, near Rome.
From October 1994 until April 1995 he attended 58th Air Staff Course at
Scuola di Guerra Aerea, the Italian
Air Force
College, in Florence. During the course he received
instruction in Air Force Management, Service Writing, Military Strategy,
Military Logistics and Law.
From August 1995 until July 1996 Capt. Poggiali attended 28th GD
Aerosystem Course at Raf Cranwell,
UK, in
order to qualify as an Aerosystems Test Officer.
In September 1996 he attended the Ground
School phase of the Tornado ADV
course at RAF Coningsby,
UK.
Capt. Poggiali had accumulated about 1000 flying hours on more than
fifteen different types of airplane and helicopters, including Tornado
GR1, Tornado ADV, Tornado ECR, AMX-T, Aermacchi MB339-A, MB339-FD, MB
339-CD, T-33, Piaggio P180, NH500 and AB212.
Capt. Poggiali was studying for a Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering
at Naples University.
He was member of the NATO Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and
Development (AGARD) - Mission System Panel since 1997.
Shortly after his returns from Le Bourget (Paris) Airshow in June 1997,
where he represented the Italian Air Force together with the astronaut M.
Cheli, Capt. Poggiali died on the 8 August 1997 in an aircraft
crash over Lepini Mountains, near Rome (Monte Lupone, Cori - Latina),
caused by someone else's negligence.
In Rome,
one street and one school are dedicated to the brave Capt. Maurizio
Poggiali:
See the links:
“Largo
Maurizio Poggiali”
“Scuola
Maurizio Poggiali”
The issue of a
stamp dedicated to him on the tenth anniversary of his death, honors a
first-class Air Force officer of great professionalism who has served
Italy with pride and generosity and who has turned into “an example and a model
for the younger generations” like said President
of Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano, recognizing his abnegation and
capacity, generosity and competence.
Contact "Association Maurizio Poggiali":
mauriziopoggiali@virgilio.it
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