Stanley Hiller Jr. developed his first helicopter prototype at the age of 17.
The museum collection includes an original 1940s Hiller XH-44 'Hiller-Copter', the first successful coaxial helicopter in the US.
The facility is situated directly adjacent to active runways at San Carlos Airport, allowing visitors to watch live general aviation traffic.
The museum features a rare example of a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar transport aircraft.
The exhibits include a drone zone highlighting the evolution of unmanned aerial systems.
The museum hosts an annual 'Wings and Wheels' event featuring antique aircraft and vintage automobiles.
The Hiller Aviation Museum, located on the grounds of the San Carlos Airport in California, showcases the evolution of vertical flight and general aviation. Founded by helicopter pioneer Stanley Hiller Jr., the facility houses over 50 aircraft ranging from early gliders to experimental VTOL prototypes. The collection includes rare items such as a full-scale replica of the Hiller VZ-1 Pawnee and various civilian aircraft used in Northern California flight history. Interactive exhibits include flight simulators and a dedicated children's aviation learning zone. The museum is housed in a large hangar, allowing for year-round indoor viewing of its primary inventory. It functions as an educational hub for STEM programs focused on aerospace engineering and aviation history. Several aircraft in the collection are airworthy and occasionally participate in regional aviation events.
The main hangar floor, capturing the contrast between vintage propeller planes and the sleek experimental helicopters.
Visit during weekend mornings to observe higher volumes of active aircraft operations on the adjacent runway.
Check the museum's online calendar before arrival to see if any aircraft are currently being moved or undergoing off-site maintenance.
Utilize the on-site flight simulators to practice basic flight maneuvers in a controlled environment.
Do not wander onto the adjacent active airport taxiways or runways; stay strictly within designated museum boundaries.
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
