City of Dallas Approves Incentive Package For the CAF

Moreno Aguiari
Moreno Aguiari
AirCorps Restorations

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PRESS RELEASE – DALLAS โ€“ Dec. 11, 2014 – The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) announced today that the Dallas City Council voted unanimously to approve an incentive package for the CAFโ€™s move to Dallas Executive Airport.”This decision enables the relocation of our national headquarters, and brings us one step closer to creating a world-class visitor attraction for the Dallas community,โ€ said Stephan Brown, President and CEO of the Commemorative Air Force.

A long term lease provides the CAF with 43 acres of land at Dallas Executive Airport, a 14,000 sq. ft. aircraft hangar, and a modern office building to house the CAF headquarters staff. Supported by a series of grants totaling $700,000, the CAF will now enact plans to move people, equipment, aircraft and selected museum artifacts from Midland to Dallas.Work will also proceed immediately on design and fundraising for a major visitor attraction to be constructed on the site. Aimed at a broad family audience, it will focus on aviation in World War II using interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and a state-of-the-art 4D theater that showcases the inspirational story of the Tuskegee Airmen. Dallas City Council has approved a reimbursement grant of $2,000,000 to support the first phase of this project and, at a future date, will consider a further matching grant of up to $6,000,000.

โ€œThis is a welcome addition to the museum and educational community of Dallas,โ€ said Mayor Mike Rawlings, who led the Cityโ€™s efforts to attract the CAF. โ€œIt will also provide a welcome boost to tourism, and the economy of southern Dallas.โ€The CAFโ€™s lease also includes a provision for up to three major air shows per year, utilizing the entire airport. The first of these is expected to take place in 2016.

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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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