CAPTAIN Maurizio POGGIALI, ITAF
(Roma, 19-2-1965/ Cori -Latina 8-8-1997)

captain and poet Maurizio Poggiali,
"an example and a model for the younger generations”

Giorgio Napolitano, president of Italian Republic

The issue of a stamp dedicated to Capt. Poggiali, 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

Fond of space and flight but also of literature and poetry Capt. Poggiali was born in Rome, Italy, in 1965. After high school education (Liceo Scientifico Peano) he attended the Italian Air Force Academy in Pozzuoli from november 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 (Coming out first in the “Falco IV°) 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), and member of the famous “red devils”. 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, where he held positions of responsibility and command.
From October 1994 until April 1995 he attended 58th Air Staff Course at the Italian Air Force College, in Florence. During the course he received instruction in Air Force Management, 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 “Federico II”.
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: look the official site: www.mauriziopoggiali.it

;Largo Maurizio Poggiali;

;Scuola Maurizio Poggiali";