March 29th is the anticipated grand opening date for the Classic Air Force (CAF) museum at Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQI) in Cornwall, United Kingdom. In preparation for the opening, the 1946-built Auster Autocrat , G-JAYI was flown 250 miles down to its new home from Coventry, Warwickshire. Registered to Aviation Heritage Ltd, the Auster Autocrat is the first-arriving one of many historic aircraft making their way to Cornwall.
Also scheduled to arrive are the world’s oldest flying Gloster Meteor T.7 (G-BWMF) and the world altitude record-breaking English Electric Canberra (G-BVWC) as well as three de Havilland Dragon Rapides, two of which will be offering pleasure flights to the public along with a Percival Prentice. For the daring and strong of stomach, a de Havilland Chipmunk will be taking the members of the public up for aerobatic flight experiences.
CAF is the recently-adopted name of the Classic Aircraft Trust which announced plans to relocate to Newquay from Coventry in July 2012 with the first airframes arriving by road to Hangar 404 at NQI that same month, starting with three Hawker jets, a Sea Hawk FGA 6 WV798 a Hunter GA.ll ‘W8188′(G-BZPB) and a Hunter T8C WT722 (G BWGN). The fuselage of former Imperial War Museum-Duxford’s Vickers Varsity T.1 WJ945 is another recent overland arrival.
Proclaiming itself “Cornwall’s Living Air Museum” the newly-renovated facility is expected to have over 40 aircraft both static and airworthy on display by opening day.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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