Welcome to the

Hiller Aviation Museum!

The Hiller Aviation Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, was opened to the public in 1998 by helicopter designer and inventor Stanley Hiller Jr. and features a collection on display of over 50 aircraft from more than a century of aviation history.

Events and activities are featured regularly, allowing you to immerse yourself in aviation dreams, from flying a realistic flight simulator to exploring the science of aviation with hands-on exhibits and unique laboratory experiences.

Featured Events

Our featured events are fun and engaging for everyone.

Easter Bunny Arrives by Helicopter!

Date April 4, 2026Time 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Get an Easter Egg straight from the Bunny and enjoy face painting, a bounce house and slide, and a model train display.

Trains and Planes

Date Apr 4 - 12, 2026Time 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

See amazing model trains on display in beautiful settings crafted by dedicated enthusiasts.

Airport Runway Run

Date April 12, 2026Time 7:00 am - 10:00 am

Don't miss this rare chance to run on the real Runway at San Carlos Airport. Certified 5K/10K with 2K fun run.

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ALL HILLER Events

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Easter Bunny Arrives by Helicopter!

Easter Bunny Arrives by Helicopter!

Date April 4, 2026Time 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Get an Easter Egg straight from the Bunny and enjoy face painting, a bounce house and slide, and a model train display.

Trains and Planes

Trains and Planes

Date April 4, 2026 - April 12, 2026Time 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

See amazing model trains on display in beautiful settings crafted by dedicated enthusiasts.

Airport Runway Run

Airport Runway Run

Date April 12, 2026Time 7:00 am-10:00 am

Don't miss this rare chance to run on the real Runway at San Carlos Airport. Certified 5K/10K with 2K fun run.

E-Waste Recycling

E-Waste Recycling

Date April 18, 2026Time 10:00 am-1:00 pm

The Golden State Hauling and Demolition truck will be under the big Hiller Aviation Museum sign.

Paint-A-Plane

Paint-A-Plane

Date April 19, 2026Time 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Join the excitement with special activities just for kids! Paint the Cessna Cardinal, check out in an airplane or helicopter, and more!

Helicopter Adventure

Helicopter Adventure

Date April 26, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Build and fly your own paper helicopters and then climb aboard the cockpit of the Scorpion helicopter!

Bubble Bonanza

Bubble Bonanza

Date May 3, 2026Time 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Discover the world of rockets! Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a high performance rocket vehicle.

Starlab

Starlab

Date May 9, 2026Time 1:30 pm-3:00 pm

Explore the night sky in a realistic domed simulation. Available on select dates. Additional fees are required.

Paint-A-Plane

Paint-A-Plane

Date May 10, 2026Time 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Join the excitement with special activities just for kids! Paint the Cessna Cardinal, check out in an airplane or helicopter, and more!

Astronaut Cagle

Astronaut Cagle

Date May 16, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Dr. Yvonne Cagle, MD, PhD, is a NASA Astronaut, aerospace physician, Brigadier General in the California State Guard USAF Retired, senior flight surgeon, and biotech inventor whose career has helped shape the future of human spaceflight and global health.

Scout Day

Scout Day

Date May 17, 2026Time 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Scouts in uniform admitted at no charge on Scout Day!

Water Rocket Rally

Water Rocket Rally

Date May 17, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

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.

Straw Rocket Workshop

Straw Rocket Workshop

Date May 24, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Discover the world of rockets! Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a high performance rocket vehicle.

Open Cockpit Day

Open Cockpit Day

Date May 30, 2026Time 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Join us for a unique opportunity to gain a pilot's eye perspective on many of the Hiller Aviation Museum's aircraft.

Glider Discovery

Glider Discovery

Date May 31, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Discover the world of flight in a special outdoor family event!

Bubble Bonanza

Bubble Bonanza

Date June 7, 2026Time 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Discover the world of rockets! Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a high performance rocket vehicle.

Happy Birds

Happy Birds

Date June 10, 2026Time 11:00 am-2:00 pm

Performing birds dazzle with their intelligence and skills and their singular ability to inspire dreams of flight.

Biggest Little Air Show

Biggest Little Air Show

Date June 13, 2026Time 10:30 am-12:00 pm

RC aircraft, drones, and flight demonstrations! This is one of the best little airshows in California.

Water Rocket Rally

Water Rocket Rally

Date June 14, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

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.

Bubble Bonanza

Bubble Bonanza

Date June 17, 2026Time 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Discover the world of rockets! Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a high performance rocket vehicle.

Paint-A-Plane

Paint-A-Plane

Date June 21, 2026Time 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Join the excitement with special activities just for kids! Paint the Cessna Cardinal, check out in an airplane or helicopter, and more!

Water Rocket Rally

Water Rocket Rally

Date June 24, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

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.

Happy Birds

Happy Birds

Date June 27, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Performing birds dazzle with their intelligence and skills and their singular ability to inspire dreams of flight.

Bubble Bonanza

Bubble Bonanza

Date June 28, 2026Time 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Discover the world of rockets! Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a high performance rocket vehicle.

Happy Birds

Happy Birds

Date July 1, 2026Time 11:00 am-2:00 pm

Performing birds dazzle with their intelligence and skills and their singular ability to inspire dreams of flight.

Water Rocket Rally

Water Rocket Rally

Date July 4, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

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.

Water Rocket Rally

Water Rocket Rally

Date July 5, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

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.

Line Tracing Robots

Line Tracing Robots

Date July 8, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Explore screen-free coding with line tracing Ozobot Robots!

Water Rocket Rally

Water Rocket Rally

Date July 15, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

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.

Happy Birds

Happy Birds

Date July 18, 2026Time 11:00 am-12:00 pm

Performing birds dazzle with their intelligence and skills and their singular ability to inspire dreams of flight.