Invention Lab
Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 am to 4:00 pm
Included with Museum Admission
Use tools of science to explore aviation, aerodynamics, engineering, assembly and design. Perfect for older children and adults.
Current Invention Lab Activities
Through July, 2017
Build-a-Plane (Ages 3 -7)
Use kid-rated tools to build and disassemble an airplane model!
Wind Tunnel Challenge (Ages 5 and Up)
Design, construct and test a device able to fly in a vertically-oriented wind tunnel!
Program is included with museum admission and no advance registration is required. Facilitators will be available to help throughout the process. Recommended for ages as indicated for the activities above.
Drone Plex
Every Saturday and Sunday
Regular Schedule
Saturdays & Sundays
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Also open select weekdays 11:00 am – 3:00 pm December 26 & January 2
Drone Demonstrations and Drone Simulation
All Drone Plex activities included with Museum admission.
Demonstrations suitable for all ages. Children must be 5 years of age or older to use drone simulators, and 8 years of age or older to fly drones. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Open only when Hiller Aviation Museum open to the public.
Drones are one of the most significant advances in aviation of the 21st century. Observe flight demonstrations conducted in a safe arena with an instructor who will show you techniques for safe drone piloting, including rules, regulations and “do’s and dont’s” practices for responsible drone flight.
Discover the fun and challenge of drone flight!. Observe drone demonstrations and experience the adventure of autonomous aviation!
FAA Drone Safety Video
Flight Sim Zone
Open Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Also Open Monday, May 29
Take a virtual flight across the Bay and see the world from the unique perspective of a pilot.
Pass Required.
- $5 per Pass (in addition to museum admission).
- Pass is free for Members.
- Two people can fly on one Pass (pilot and co-pilot).
- Obtain Passes at museum Gift Shop.
- Each Pass good for up to 30 minutes of flight time.
- Seating is limited.
Flight Sim Zone workstations consist of the following:
- large 4K screen, 3,840 x 2,160 pixel display
- Logitech/Saitek flight yoke and throttle quadrant
- Saitek rudder pedals
- X-Plane 11 simulation software
How Sessions Operate
We follow a flight instruction model. Each session begins with an introductory demonstration. Our instructors are real pilots and they will show you how to properly control an aircraft, like the Beechcraft Baron 58, including the all-important landing procedure. Once proficiency has been achieved in basic procedures, enjoy a sightseeing flight around the Bay!
The Flight Sim Zone is wheelchair accessible.
FMX Flight Simulator
Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 11 am – 2 pm
Purchase your flight ticket at our gift shop.
$10 for 10-minute flight.
$8 for museum Members.
Additional discounts offered to Museum members at the Pilot, Barnstormer, and all Premium levels.
Try Flying!
The FMX flight simulator’s fully functional cockpit features the latest in “glass cockpit” avionics technology, the Garmin G1000, including a Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-Function Display (MFD) with integrated autopilot.
- 6 screen “wraparound” windshield display.
- Full simulator movement in yaw, pitch and roll.
- Force feedback flight yoke and throttle quadrant.
- Rudder pedals.
- Simulation software: Lockheed Martin Prepar3D.
Invention Lab
INVENTION LAB OPEN WEEKENDS
Activities Available 11 AM - 3 PM Saturdays & Sundays
Also Open Monday, May 29
Included with Museum Admission
Complete amazing hands-on projects in flight!
Weekend Invention Lab Activities
June 3-25
Paper Airplanes
Fly for fun! Discover the joys of paper-light flight while folding and flying a high-performance paper airplane. Recommended ages 3+
Paper Engines
How does an airplane engine work? Construct a moving model of the inside of a piston engine and compare it to real engines near the Invention Lab! Recommended ages 8+.
Drone Plex
Every Saturday and Sunday
Regular Schedule
Saturdays & Sundays
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Also open select weekdays 11:00 am – 3:00 pm December 26 & January 2
Drone Demonstrations and Drone Simulation
All Drone Plex activities included with Museum admission.
Demonstrations suitable for all ages. Children must be 5 years of age or older to use drone simulators, and 8 years of age or older to fly drones. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Open only when Hiller Aviation Museum open to the public.
Drones are one of the most significant advances in aviation of the 21st century. Observe flight demonstrations conducted in a safe arena with an instructor who will show you techniques for safe drone piloting, including rules, regulations and “do’s and dont’s” practices for responsible drone flight.
Discover the fun and challenge of drone flight!. Observe drone demonstrations and experience the adventure of autonomous aviation!
FAA Drone Safety Video
Flight Sim Zone
Open Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Also Open Monday, May 29
Take a virtual flight across the Bay and see the world from the unique perspective of a pilot.
Pass Required.
- $5 per Pass (in addition to museum admission).
- Pass is free for Members.
- Two people can fly on one Pass (pilot and co-pilot).
- Obtain Passes at museum Gift Shop.
- Each Pass good for up to 30 minutes of flight time.
- Seating is limited.
Flight Sim Zone workstations consist of the following:
- large 4K screen, 3,840 x 2,160 pixel display
- Logitech/Saitek flight yoke and throttle quadrant
- Saitek rudder pedals
- X-Plane 11 simulation software
How Sessions Operate
We follow a flight instruction model. Each session begins with an introductory demonstration. Our instructors are real pilots and they will show you how to properly control an aircraft, like the Beechcraft Baron 58, including the all-important landing procedure. Once proficiency has been achieved in basic procedures, enjoy a sightseeing flight around the Bay!
The Flight Sim Zone is wheelchair accessible.
FMX Flight Simulator
Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 11 am – 2 pm
Purchase your flight ticket at our gift shop.
$10 for 10-minute flight.
$8 for museum Members.
Additional discounts offered to Museum members at the Pilot, Barnstormer, and all Premium levels.
Try Flying!
The FMX flight simulator’s fully functional cockpit features the latest in “glass cockpit” avionics technology, the Garmin G1000, including a Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-Function Display (MFD) with integrated autopilot.
- 6 screen “wraparound” windshield display.
- Full simulator movement in yaw, pitch and roll.
- Force feedback flight yoke and throttle quadrant.
- Rudder pedals.
- Simulation software: Lockheed Martin Prepar3D.
Invention Lab
INVENTION LAB OPEN WEEKENDS
Activities Available 11 AM - 3 PM Saturdays & Sundays
Also Open Monday, May 29
Included with Museum Admission
Complete amazing hands-on projects in flight!
Weekend Invention Lab Activities
June 3-25
Paper Airplanes
Fly for fun! Discover the joys of paper-light flight while folding and flying a high-performance paper airplane. Recommended ages 3+
Paper Engines
How does an airplane engine work? Construct a moving model of the inside of a piston engine and compare it to real engines near the Invention Lab! Recommended ages 8+.
