Let’s Go Fly A Kite!
Saturday, September 23, 2:00 pm – 4 pm
Event included with Museum admission.
Let’s Go Fly A Kite on the San Carlos Airport.
This is a once in a life time chance to fly a kite on an airport. Normally kite flying is not permitted around airports for obvious reasons. You don’t want an airplane running into a high flying kite but on September 23 the airport is closed to aircraft traffic due to runway improvement construction and the airport management has given the Hiller Museum the green light to fly our kites.
There are three ways to join in on the fun:
- Make a “Sled” kite out of paper at our kite construction table led by Museum education staff. Get a head start and get the Sled Kite template
- Purchase a museum “dazzle” kite or a commercial kite in our gift shop
- Bring your own kite to fly*
*If you bring your own kite we do have a few restrictions:
- No combat kites
- No large kites over 4 feet in diameter
- Kites cannot be flown over 300 feet high
- Kites are subject to museum and airport approval
Event included with museum admission. Event is free to museum members.
Kids’ Carnival
10 AM – 12 PM
Upcoming dates:
Sunday, August 27
Sunday, September 24
Saturday, October 21
Sunday, October 22
Sunday, November 26
Friday, December 29
Event included with Museum admission. No charge for Museum Members.
Join the excitement with special activities just for kids! Aircraft checkouts, cockpit exploration, glider and helicopter construction and more are just some of the activities available at each Kids’ Carnival.
Advance tickets available on VBO Tickets
Kids’ Carnival Activities
Outdoor Kids’ Carnival
March – November 2023
- Paint-a-Plane Cessna Cardinal
- Scorpion Helicopter Checkout
- Paper Helicopter Construction
- Penguin Airplane Assembly
- Open Cockpit Aircraft
Indoor Kids’ Carnival
December 2023 – February 2024
- Vertical Wind Tunnels
- Paper Helicopters
- Scorpion Helicopter Checkout
- Glider Construction
- Penguin Airplane Assembly
- Rig-a-ma-Jig Construction
Sponsored by
Wreckchasing: Searching for Lost Aircraft
Saturday, Sept. 30, 11:00 am
Presentation by Nicholas A. Veronico
Event included with Museum admission.
Wreck Chasing: Searching for Lost Aircraft
Nicholas A. Veronico
How many rare aircraft flying today were recovered from wreck sites? How many one-of-a-kind aircraft in museums and private collections were found in forests, lakes, swamps, or encased in ice? How many aircraft crash sites have been documented in an effort to remember those who perished? Join author Nicholas A. Veronico as for a global look at a number of rare, flying aircraft – am Fw 190, a P-38, an F4U Corsair, a pair of P-51 Mustangs hidden in garages — that were recovered from the wilds and visit a number of crash sites – including the Philippine Clipper and one of the first B-17s to take the fight to the Japanese — that have been documented or recovered over the years. A number of Bay Area wrecks, including a Navy R4D that crashed in the hills of San Carlos will be discussed.
Author Bio:
Author Nicholas A. Veronico comes from a family of pilots, both his mother and father held private tickets, and his brother is a commercial pilot who flies for a major airline.
Veronico got his start as a freelance writer, then joined “Pacific Flyer” Aviation Newspapers. He then went on to serve as editor of “In Flight USA,” contributed extensively to “FlyPast” magazine, and subsequently joined “Airliners: The World’s Airline Magazine.” On a freelance basis, he has contributed to “Air Classics,” “Aviation History,” “EAA Warbirds,” “Warbirds Worldwide,” “Airways,” “Airliner World,” “Warbird Digest,” “Warbirds International,” “Classic Wings,” and many others.
Helicopter Adventure
Upcoming dates:
Wednesday, August 23, 11 AM – 12 PM
Sunday, September 3, 11 AM – 12 PM
Sunday, October 1, 11 AM – 12 PM
Sunday, December 3, 11 AM – 12 PM
Event included with Museum admission. Free for Museum Members.
Advanced tickets available on VBO Tickets
Discover the world of vertical flight!
Each Helicopter Adventure starts with an introduction to the development of rotary-wing aircraft and explanation of the parts of the helicopter using a real Scorpion aircraft. Then, participants build and fly their own paper helicopters and climb aboard the cockpit of the Scorpion for themselves!
Event is included with Museum admission.
Water Rocket Rally
Upcoming dates:
11 AM – 12 PM
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Sunday, October 8, 223
Event included with Museum admission. Free for Museum Members.
Advanced tickets for Sunday events available on VBO Tickets
Discover the world of rockets!
Bring along a recycled 1- or 2-liter soda bottle or purchase a new water rocket body in the Museum’s Gift Shop ($1.50/bottle) and join the rocket workshop! Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a high performance rocket vehicle, then test fly it across the Museum’s Courtyard on a fountain of compressed air and water.
Event is included with Museum admission.
Participants must bring a clean, empty soda bottle (water bottles are not suitable for this activity), or may purchase one in the Museum’s Gift Shop on the day of the event.
Solar Eclipse – October 14
Eclipse Times (San Carlos)
First Contact (Eclipse Begins) – 8:05 AM
Museum Opens / Observing Available – 8:30 AM
Maximum Eclipse – 9:19 AM
Last Contact (Eclipse Ends) – 10:42 AM
Event included with Museum admission.
Hiller Aviation Museum Open 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM on October 14.
Weather permitting – eclipse not visible if clouds are present.
On Saturday, October 14 Earth’s Moon will pass between the Sun and our home planet to create a spectacular astronomical event – an annular solar eclipse! Viewers across the country in a narrow band between Oregon and Texas will observe the eclipse’s annular phase, as the Moon passes completely in front of the Sun’s visible surface and only a thin ring of sunlight remains visible.
The San Francisco Bay Area is southwest of the path of annularity, but area residents using safe observation techniques will be able to see 76% of the Sun’s disc covered at 9:19 AM, the time of maximum eclipse. The Hiller Aviation Museum will open early and host an eclipse viewing event from 8:30 AM – 10:45 AM. Solar telescopes, certified safe solar glasses and eclipse pinhole projection boards will provide multiple ways of safely observing the event. Solar glasses will be provided to the first 100 visitors arriving on October 14 at no charge. Additional solar glasses are available for sale in advance of the event in the museum’s Gift Shop, and can also be purchased on the day of the event while supplies last.
Observations will continue outside in the Museum’s Courtyard area from opening time until the eclipse ends at 10:42 AM. Maximum eclipse is at 9:19 AM – arrive early to join us in the waning morning light and safely observe this amazing astronomical phenomena.
Not able to find solar glasses? Visit NASA’s Total Solar Eclipse webpage for .stl and .pdf files that will allow you to print a safe solar projection viewer using either a 3D or conventional paper printer (cardstock suggested for paper viewers). In a pinch, a pinhole punched in a regular index card makes a usable eclipse viewer. Observe the image of the sun cast into the shadow of the card or viewer to see the eclipse.
Near the time of maximum eclipse (around 9:19 AM), natural eclipse projection will occur in the shadow of trees with sunlight filtering through leaves and branches. Each dapple of sunlight sprinkling through the shadow will provide a naturally-projected image of the event.
Available safe observation methods will include:
- Solar telescopes – white light and h-alpha wavelengths
- Solar glasses – complimentary to first 100 visitors on October 14, or purchase in Gift Shop before or on day of event (while supplies last).
- Solar eclipse board – projects eclipse images onto the ground, a wall, or even you!
A limited quantity of solar eclipse glasses will be available to purchase in advance and on the day of the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dreams Take Flight
19th Annual Benefit Gala
Saturday, October 14, 2023 at 5 pm
The Dreams Take Flight 19th Annual Benefit Gala will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at our Museum. Alan Weston, CEO of LTA Research and a leader in the development of large dirigible airships for humanitarian missions, will be the keynote speaker. Educational experiences, dinner, live & silent auctions, and other fundraising activities will all be featured.
We invite you to join us and support Hiller Aviation Museum, a nonprofit educational institution. With the generous support of our community the Museum is able to provide hands-on aviation and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs for over 30,000 students each year. This support also nurtures the bold visions that inspire youth to pursue their own dreams of flight, such as Evelyn Tale and Marion Fowler, recipients of the Museum’s 2023 Flight Training Scholarships. The Hiller Aviation Museum’s programs are made possible in large part by the proceeds of its annual Benefit Gala.
Keynote by Alan Weston
In 2023 the Hiller Aviation Museum welcomes Dr. Alan Weston, CEO of LTA Research. A longtime contributor to research projects funded by the Department of Defense, NASA and the United States Air Force, Dr. Weston today leads LTA Research in a bid to re-invent rigid dirigible airships for use in humanitarian relief missions. First developed on a large scale by Ferdinand von Zeppelin at the dawn of the 20th century, these airships used enormous cells containing hydrogen or helium to generate lift and could be over 800′ long, comparable in size to an ocean liner. Graf Zeppelin 2, the last of the German rigid dirigibles, made its final flight in August 1939 – just before the onset of World War II.
Under Dr. Weston’s leadership, LTA has used the cavernous space of Hangar 2 at historic Moffett Field to fabricate Pathfinder 1, the first rigid dirigible build since the 1930s. At over 400′ long, this testbed is twice the length of blimps and semi-rigid Zeppelin airships used in recent years for sightseeing flights and marketing missions. Propelled by distributed electric motors with the ability to recharge using solar panels, Pathfinder 1 will pave the way for production airships more than twice as large capable of carrying large cargoes quickly into areas with minimal working transport infrastructure.
Special Thanks to the Hiller Aviation Museum Board of Directors
Stephen S. Hiller, Chair; Hank Scherf, Vice Chair; Kirsten Komoroske, Secretary
Mark Jon Bluth ∙ Oliver Coolidge ∙ Matt Croce ∙ Scott Cronce ∙ Eileen DiGiorgio ∙ Rick Ellinger ∙ Rick Gostyla ∙ Bob Grassilli ∙ Chris Lee ∙ Charles Litchfield ∙ Bob Lundy ∙ Robert MacLean ∙ Thom Maslow ∙ Manuel Terranova ∙ Michelle Williams ∙ Kate Wormington ∙ Mubarik Imam
How to Contribute Auction Prizes
Auction prize donations for 2023 are being collected and are greatly appreciated, especially gifts of fine wine, getaways, aviation experiences, and more!
All donations and sponsorships will be acknowledged upon receipt and be highlighted at the event. For more information on in-kind donations, sponsorships, or tickets, please contact Audie Amirkiai, VP of Development, at audie@hiller.org or 650-654-0200 x203. email
Your Support is Greatly Appreciated!
~ Donate Now ~
$5,000 ∙ $2,500 ∙ $1,000 ∙ $500 ∙ $250 ∙ $100 ∙ $50
Your support is greatly appreciated!
Other Ways to Donate
Mail:
Hiller Aviation Museum
Attn: Visions From the Stratosphere
601 Skyway Road
San Carlos, CA 94070
DAF:
Hiller Aviation Institute & Museum nonprofit tax ID# 94-3226411
Transfer securities to Hiller Aviation Institute
Account # 1443-3821 / DTC #0141
First Clearing Corp. (Wells Fargo Advisors)
1950 University Avenue, #300
E. Palo Alto, CA 94303
.
For more information, contact: Logan Davis, Development Associate, at 650-654-0200 ext. 216 or logan@hiller.org.
Flight Simulator Rally
Sunday, October 15 – Shuttle Landing
Sunday, December 17 – Aerobatic Flight
30-minute sessions begin every half hour between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM. Event concludes at 4:00 PM.
Take up the challenge in the Flight Sim Zone!
The Flight Simulator Rally, held monthly in the Hiller Aviation Museum’s Flight Sim Zone, presents participants with a specific mission in simulated flight. Each 30-minute session provides ample time for participants to learn a particular flight, then ends with a challenge flight to achieve the best possible results!
The Flight Sim Zone features a full lab of high-fidelity flight simulators, each equipped with realistic flight controls, high speed graphics processors, and dramatic widescreen-format monitors. Using state of the art flight simulation software, the Flight Sim Zone provides an exceptional recreation of flight suitable for non-flying novices and veteran aviators alike.
Pilots ages 8 and up are welcome to join each month’s Flight Simulator Rally. The event is included with Museum admission, but space is limited. Participants must report to the Flight Sim Zone promptly at the start time of each session to ensure a spot.
Saba Approach
Attempt a landing on one of the world’s shortest runways to see commercial service on Saba in the Dutch East Indies!
Las Vegas Night Flight
Pilot a small aircraft in a low speed night approach to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, soaring over the brilliantly illuminated hotels and casinos of the Las Vegas Strip.
Shuttle Landing
Pilot the historic US space shuttle to an unpowered landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida!
Aerobatic Flight
Master the controls of the Extra 300 aerobatic airplane and attempt a challenging loop around the Golden Gate Bridge!
Instrument Approach
Fly the Cessna 172 through severe weather to a safe landing at San Francisco International Airport!
Halloween fun for Kids and Families on the San Francisco Peninsula!
The Hiller Aviation Museum Presents
Haunted Hangar
October 21 – October 31, Daily 10 AM – 5 PM
Special weekend activities:
Saturday, Oct. 21, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Halloween Kid’s Carnival – Paint-A-Plane
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sunday, Oct. 22, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Halloween Kid’s Carnival – Paint-A-Plane
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Saturday, Oct. 28, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Halloween Kid’s Festival – Helicopter Pumpkin Drop
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sunday, Oct 29, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Halloween Kid’s Festival – Helicopter Pumpkin Drop
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Haunted Hangar Display is included with museum admission.
- Museum Members are Free. Just show your membership at the door.
Hiller Aviation Museum
601 Skyway Rd.
San Carlos, CA 94070
(650) 654-0200
Visit the Hiller Aviation Museum this October for a frightful treat!
Come in costume and see the Gallery decked out in its spooky Halloween decorations and the “Great Pumpkin” Scavenger Hunt.
Join the excitement with special activities just for kids on the weekends during our Kids’ Carnival and Haunted Hangar Festival & Pumpkin Drop. Aircraft checkouts, cockpit exploration, glider and helicopter construction, and more are just some of the activities that will be available.
October 21 - Oct 31
- Haunted Hangar decorations 10 AM – 5 PM
- Excellent after school Halloween destination
Saturday, Oct 21st
- Halloween Kid’s Carnival 10 AM – 12 PM – Paint-A-Plane
Sunday, Oct 22nd
- Halloween Kid’s Carnival 10 AM – 12 PM – Paint-A-Plane
Saturday, Oct 28th
- Halloween Kid’s Festival 10 AM – 12 PM
- Helicopter Pumpkin Drop 12 PM
Sunday, Oct 29th
- Halloween Kid’s Festival 10 AM – 12 PM
- Helicopter Pumpkin Drop 12 PM
Kids’ Carnival
10 AM – 12 PM
Upcoming dates:
Sunday, August 27
Sunday, September 24
Saturday, October 21
Sunday, October 22
Sunday, November 26
Friday, December 29
Event included with Museum admission. No charge for Museum Members.
Join the excitement with special activities just for kids! Aircraft checkouts, cockpit exploration, glider and helicopter construction and more are just some of the activities available at each Kids’ Carnival.
Advance tickets available on VBO Tickets
Kids’ Carnival Activities
Outdoor Kids’ Carnival
March – November 2023
- Paint-a-Plane Cessna Cardinal
- Scorpion Helicopter Checkout
- Paper Helicopter Construction
- Penguin Airplane Assembly
- Open Cockpit Aircraft
Indoor Kids’ Carnival
December 2023 – February 2024
- Vertical Wind Tunnels
- Paper Helicopters
- Scorpion Helicopter Checkout
- Glider Construction
- Penguin Airplane Assembly
- Rig-a-ma-Jig Construction
Sponsored by
