The Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center (NAEC), located at the Dallas Executive Airport in the southern section of Dallas, provides hands-on learning opportunities, unparalleled access to aviation and WWII aircraft, and immersive history experiences and activities for all ages. Our mission is to Honor the Past, Empower the Future. Students are inspired by aviation and history while developing leadership and "21st century" job skills. No matter the career, strong skills in communication, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and citizenship will help individuals of all ages be more successful.
The NAEC is affiliated with the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). With more than 175 WWII era aircraft spread amongst 80 units in 28 U.S. states and four countries, the CAF owns and operates the world's largest private collection of flying vintage military aircraft. Our combined educational outreach impacts millions of Americans annually through school presentations, airshows, flight demonstrations, living history reenactments, community events, and other activities. In Dallas, children visiting the NAEC get to experience the "Queen of the Fleet," a B-29 SUPPERFORTRESS affectionally named "FIFI." FIFI is one of only two flying B-29's in the world.
The CAF’s mission is to Educate, Inspire, and Honor through flight and living history experiences, which the NAEC complements with its parallel mission to Honor the Past, Empower the Future.
Honor the Past, Empower the Future
Opened in November 2021, the NAEC is a 47,000-square-foot facility, home to the Charles McGee and Don Hinz Theater, the Arsenal of Democracy Hall, the world’s largest collection of authentic aviation Nose Art from World War II, and other historical artifacts. There is also a wood and metal workshop, a state-of-the-art meeting space, and classroom space in the James C. Ray Education Wing.
As part of our mission, we create and deliver much-needed, hands-on educational opportunities for students of all ages to succeed in a competitive global environment. The focus is to provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education programs emphasizing critical 21st-century skill sets, so students can become the next generation of innovators, aviators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.