Hiller Aviation Museum

A Prime Location for Aviation Enthusiasts

Located in San Carlos, California, approximately 25 miles south of San Francisco, the Hiller Aviation Museum offers a captivating dive into the world of one of the kind aircraft . Established by the helicopter pioneer Stanley Hiller Jr., this museum is a testament to the vast and fascinating history of Northern California aviation, as well as the pioneering spirit of Hiller Aircraft.

Bell 47D Helicopter

The Visionary Behind the Museum

The museum owes its existence to Stanley Hiller Jr., a remarkable visionary who designed the world’s first successful coaxial helicopter at the age of 17. Opening to the public in June 1998, the Hiller Aviation Museum showcases the evolution and milestones of Hiller Aircraft and helicopter history. Stanley Hiller Jr. was also the founder of Hiller Helicopters, a company that was later acquired by Fairchild Aircraft.

Hiller UH-4 Commuter helicopter

A Collection of Over 60 Aircraft

At the core of the museum’s collection are over 60 aircraft, each with its own unique story. Among these, a replica of Stanley Hiller’s Hiller XH-44 stands out as the first successful coaxial rotor helicopter built in the United States. Other notable Hiller helicopters on display include the Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee, a flying platform, the Hiller ROE Rotorcycle, a single-seat ultralight helicopter, and the Hiller OH-23 Raven, a military light observation helicopter.

Hiller XH-44 replica

Replicas from the Dawn of Aviation

The museum also pays homage to the early days of aviation with several meticulously crafted replicas. Visitors can marvel at the Avitor airship, the Wright Flyer biplane, the Curtiss Pusher Model D, and the Fokker Dr.I triplane painted in the iconic Red Baron’s colors. Additionally, a more recent replica of SpaceShipOne is featured, bridging the gap between historical and modern aviation marvels.

Eugene Ely’s Curtiss pusher model D biplane replica

Historic Grumman Albatross

Among the unique exhibits, the Grumman HU-16C Albatross takes a special place. This amphibious seaplane, built in 1955, initially served with the US Navy before transitioning to civilian use. In 1997, after being converted to version HU-16RD, it embarked on a global journey supporting pilot Linda Finch as she successfully recreated Amelia Earhart’s historic flight path. Finch flew a restored 1935 Lockheed Electra 10E on the 60th anniversary of Earhart’s attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 1937.

Grumman HU-16C Albatross

The Experimental NASA AD-1

A particularly intriguing exhibit is the NASA AD-1 aircraft. At first glance, its wings might appear broken, but this experimental plane was designed to demonstrate a pivoting wing concept that could shift obliquely from zero to 60 degrees during flight. Between 1979 and 1982, the AD-1 flew 79 times, providing NASA with invaluable data on its handling and aerodynamics.

NASA AD-1 oblique wing aircraft

The High-Tech Boeing Condor

The museum is also home to a Boeing Condor, a high-tech piston-engine aerial reconnaissance UAV with an impressive wingspan of over 200 feet. This aircraft made aviation history as the first to achieve fully automated flight from takeoff to landing. During its evaluation period, the Condor logged over 300 flight hours over Moses Lake, Washington. Only two Boeing Condors were ever built, with one displayed at the Hiller Aviation Museum and the other in storage at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio.

Boeing Condor UAV

The Historic Thaden T-1 Argonaut

Among the historical artifacts, the Thaden T-1 Argonaut holds a place of honor. Constructed by the Thaden Metal Aircraft Company in the 1920s, it was one of the first all-metal aircraft made from corrugated aluminum. Though it later crashed in Alaska in 1933, the wreckage was recovered in 1986 and is now displayed in its unrestored state at the museum, offering a tangible connection to the early days of aviation.

Thaden T-1 Argonaut

More Aircraft to Discover

The Hiller Aviation Museum’s rich collection doesn’t end there. Enthusiasts can explore a variety of other aircraft, including a Travel Air D4D, Velie Monocoupe Model 70, Aero L-39 Albatros, Lockheed YO-3 Quiet Star, Stearman-Hammond Y-1, and Cessna 177 Cardinal. A special highlight is the Boeing 747 cockpit, which also includes a portion of the forward fuselage and is open for exploration, particularly thrilling for younger visitors.

Stearman-Hammond Y-1

Boeing 2707 Mockup

The museum once held the forward fuselage mockup of the Boeing 2707, an American supersonic passenger airliner designed to be larger and faster than the Concorde. However, the project was cancelled before a prototype was built. In early 2013, the mockup was moved to Seattle for restoration at the Museum of Flight.

Boeing 2707 SST scale model

Aviation Camp for Future Pilots

The Hiller Aviation Museum is not just about display; it’s also about inspiring the next generation. The museum hosts an Aviation Camp, a fun-filled week-long day camp program dedicated to aviation and aerospace adventure for children aged 5-12. The camp includes hands-on activities such as launching rockets, piloting drones, designing aircraft, and flying real planes in state-of-the-art simulators.

Boeing 747-100 cockpit

Need ideas for the weekend?

The Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, California, is a treasure trove for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike. It is also a fantastic destination for a family outing. Planning a fun weekend in the Bay Area? This museum is perfect for all ages, offering engaging hands-on activities and awe-inspiring displays that will captivate both children and adults. It’s an ideal spot to combine education and entertainment, ensuring everyone has a memorable and enjoyable visit.