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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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