Hiller Aviation Museum

Today’s Schedule 10-5
2026-02-10 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-11 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-12 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-13 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-14 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-15 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-16 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-02-17 10:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 11 more dates | Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Rd., San Carlos, 94070, United States
The Hiller Aviation Daily Schedule
The Hiller Aviation Museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.
The Museum is closed on Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. And for other special events.

Hearts and Hangars
2026-02-13 15:00 - 19:00
Members Only: Hearts and Hangars
Join us as love takes flight!
Friday, Feb 13th3 PM – 7 PM
Cupid’s touched down for a members-only evening in the hangar! Join us for aviation-inspired Valentine crafts, enjoy sweet chocolate treats, explore the museum during extended hours, and enter a raffle for a special prize!
Whether you fly in for a quick creative pit stop or make it a full hangar night, you’ll leave with keepsakes, smiles, and plenty of Valentine spirit. We can’t wait to celebrate with you in the hangar!
Non a member? Join today to experience the excitement of Hiller Aviation Museum programs and events all year long!

Drone Plex, Flight Sim Zone, Invention Lab, FMX Flight Simulator
2026-02-14 10:30 - 15:00, 2026-02-15 10:30 - 15:00, 2026-02-21 10:30 - 15:00, 2026-02-22 10:30 - 15:00, 2026-02-28 10:30 - 15:00
Hiller Aviation Museum

Weekend events

From piloting a realistic flight simulator to building robotic drones, there are inspiring weekend activities at the museum to immerse yourself in the world of aviation. Special weekend activities are described below.

Exercise your imagination at the Imagination Playground! Create and build large structures using safe and easy-to-maneuver foam blocks. Perfect for young children.
Free with Museum admission.Open Daily 10 am - 5 pm

The Invention Lab uses tools of science to explore aviation, aerodynamics, engineering, assembly, and design. Perfect for children and adults.
Free with Museum admission.Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 am – 3 pm

With expert help from one of our volunteer pilots, discover how airplanes move in three dimensions with your hands at the controls. 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).
Each Pass is good for up to 30 minutes of flight time.
Obtain Passes at the Flight Sim Zone

Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 am – 3 pm
Simulator Mission Schedule

Fly with an instructor in the FMX Flight Simulator. It's an FAA-approved full-motion flight simulator, typically seen only in flight schools and academies used in real-world flight training. The cockpit is fully functional, and the sensations of flight are amazing. This is the most realistic experience possible, short of flying a real airplane!
Pass Required.

$10 for a 10-minute flight (in addition to museum admission).
$8 for museum Members.
Purchase tickets at the Museum Gift Shop. Additional discounts are offered to Museum members at the Pilot, Barnstormer, and all Premium levels.

Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 am – 3 pm

Discover the fun and challenge of drone flight!. Observe drone demonstrations and see the remarkable capabilities of robotic aircraft.
Demonstrations are suitable for all ages.
Saturdays & Sundays 10:30 am – 3:00 pmPeriodic Drone Flight Demonstrations & Drone Flight Simulation

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Kids' Night Out
2026-02-14 17:00 - 21:00
Kids Night Out at Hiller Aviation Museum

Students ages 5-10 join for a fun night of age-appropriate craft, games, museum exploration, flight simulators, and a movie to wind down the night. Pizza dinner included.

Register Now

Spaces limited. Advance registration required

Upcoming Kids Night Out Dates

Valentine's Night
5 PM – 9 PM

Saturday, February 14, 2026

$75 Regular / $68 Member

Register for 2/14

About Kids Night Out

Check in by 6 PM. Checkout after 8 PM. In between, students will be busy at play in the Museum!
Kids’ Night Out – Schedule of Events
5pm – 6pm: Gallery Exploration & Dinner in the Museum (dinner served starting at 5:30 PM–optional, bring your own meal/snacks)6pm – 7:15pm: Choice Exploration/Activity time including Crafts, Flight Simulators, Open Cockpit, Kids Area Exploration, and more!7:15pm – 9pm: Wind the evening down with a movie as they wait for the arrival of their guardians. Additional crafts, games, and exploration will be offered as well.
Schedule of events subject to change based on factors including # of students, actual student arrival time, student interest, etc.

All participants must be fully potty-trained and able to use our restroom independently.

Exciting Activities at Kids Night Out

Join us for an unforgettable evening at the airport where kids can enjoy a variety of engaging activities in a safe and secure environment.

Crafts

Open Cockpit

Flight Simulators



Movie

Common Questions About Kids Night Out

Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our event.

How do I register my child for the event?
Registration must be completed online.
Members at the Family level or higher qualify for a member discounted rate.

What age group is Kids Night Out suitable for?
The event is designed for children aged 5 to 10 years old.
All participants must be fully potty-trained and able to use our restroom independently.

Are meals provided during the event?
Pizza and water/juice will be provided. Participants may bring their own dinner and snacks, if desired.

What should my child bring to the event?

Pizza and water/juice will be provided.

Participants may bring their own dinner and snacks, if desired. Food should be self-contained and ready to eat. Hiller does not provide access to refrigeration or microwaves.

Medication/Inhalers/Epi-Pens, labeled and with instructions, if applicable

Can be kept with the instructor (recommended) or with the participant.

What is the cancellation policy?
This program is non-refundable, non-transferable.

Today's Schedule 10-7
2026-02-20 10:00 - 19:00
The Hiller Aviation Daily Schedule
The Hiller Aviation Museum is open today from 10 AM to 7 PM.
The Museum is closed on Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. And for other special events.

Starlight Nights
2026-02-20 17:00 - 19:00
Starlight Nights

Fall and winter evenings come alive at the Hiller Aviation Museum’s Starlight Nights! The museum and gift shop remain open until 7 PM, with Starlab sky shows available inside and, weather permitting, telescopic observations of the Moon and planets of our solar system available outside. Experience San Carlos Airport at night and explore the heavens above with these special evening adventures.

Regular admission policies in effect for Starlight Nights events – no admission charge for Members.

Upcoming DatesFriday December 26, 2025Friday February 20, 2026

Get your tickets

This Event is included with museum admission.Museum Members are Free. Just show your membership at the door.

Buy Tickets

Maddux-Airlines
2026-02-21 11:00 - 12:00
Maddux AirlinesPresented by Ryann WillisSaturday February 21, 11AM
Writing a memoir based on family history can be an extraordinary adventure, one I highly recommend undertaking. My just-completed manuscript is based on my grandfather, an aviation pioneer, who died when my father was only four years old. Like many who have written family-based stories, I initially did not set out to write a full book.
My inspiration came from my grandmother. When she passed away at ninety-nine, I inherited her collection of never-before-seen photographs, articles, and an extensive array of newspaper clippings. What began as a casual attempt to learn more about my ancestors for a short Shutterfly project turned into an eight-year journey of discovery.
Whether our experiences with family are positive or negative, family often serves as the cornerstone of our lives, with each family being unique in its own way, shaped by its history, traditions, and shared experiences. Filling in the gaps of the past can be both challenging and rewarding. Every story, every discovery, can provide unexpected insights into our own journeys. Delving into the past can also lead to family myths being shattered and uncomfortable truths being revealed. Yet, the truth can also bring liberation, freeing us from the burden of the unknown. While working on the book, I learned that my grandfather was not only an airline founder but also a World War I submariner, so if you’re thinking about writing about your forebearers, I say damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead.
Ryann Willis is the granddaughter of airline pioneer Jack Maddux and the first cousin of Senator John McCain. She graduated from UCLA and is a former employee of Apple, Inc., as well as the owner of a successful art dealing and appraisal business. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Aero Club of Southern California, where she also holds the position of Historian. Additionally, she is an active member of several aviation organizations, including the NAA, the Society for Aviation History, and the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Aero Design Challenge (ADC)
2026-02-22 13:30 - 16:00
Aero Design Challenge
Grades 4-8

Aero Design Challenge is an exploration into design and engineering. Each 2.5-hour program explores concepts in aeronautics that challenges participants to construct a working prototype.
Please note schools must be onsite for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete program. Times may vary for larger groups. The program time includes a 10-minute break. We recommend staying at least 30-60 minutes after the program end time to enjoy your lunch onsite and to explore the museum.

School Group Registration
Reserve a ADC program date betweenNovember 2025 – April 2026Tuesday through Friday only*Minimum School Group Size of 30 Students Required

School Registration

General Public Registration
Sunday February 22, 2026, 1:30 PM – 4 PMPre-registration required as space is limited.Individual & small group registrations only!

Registration will open January 2026.

Public Registration

2025-2026 Theme: Gliders

Each student in the Aero Design Challenge participates in a series of discovery experiences in the Hiller Aviation Museum’s main gallery, including, but not limited to:

Glider Exploration
Design Challenge

In addition to the exploration period, this year’s Aero Design Challenge challenges to design, build, and test an aircraft of their own. At the end of the program, all students will launch their designs, with the glider reaching the furthest distance relaunched together in an attempt to set an endurance mark.

Held annually since 2013, the Aero Design Challenge celebrates the design thinking process in the world of flight. Offered at no cost to participants through the generous support of sponsors, the Aero Design Challenge has engaged over 8,300 participants since its inception.

Aero Design Challenge generously sponsored by:

HOW TO REGISTER
Aero Design Challenge programs are provided to students at no charge, but space is limited and pre-registration is required.
SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Schools may select any day for their Aero Design Challenge visit. Subject to availability on Hiller Education calendar. One adult is admitted at no charge for every eight students, with additional adults admitted at $12.00/adult. School groups (minimum 30 students) may complete a field trip reservation request using the Museum’s online request system.
INDIVIDUAL/SMALL GROUP REGISTRATION
Individual students or small groups of up to 12 students may register online for our public Aero Design Challenge session (registration opens January 2026). All students/groups should have at least one accompanying adult chaperone in attendance. One adult chaperone admitted free for each participant. Hiller staff will facilitate the program but are not responsible for the supervision of participants.
Available only on Sunday February 22, 2026 from 1:30 PM – 4 PM.
All Aero Design Challenge participants will receive a confirmation email and additional information regarding the program approximately one week prior to program date. Make your plans now to join an exceptional hands-on aerospace engineering experience.

Exciting News!
The California Association of Museums and State Superintendent’s Office of Public Instruction have awarded the Hiller Aviation Museum the Excellence in Museum Education Award for its Aero Design Challenge.
Click here for more information.
