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{{Infobox museum
| name             = Hiller Aviation Museum
| native_name      = 
| native_name_lang = 
| image            = Hiller Aviation Museum.jpg
| caption          = The front of the Hiller Aviation Museum with a [[Rutan Long-EZ]] on the roof
| alt              = 
| map_type         = California
| map_caption      = 
| map_size         = 
| coordinates      = {{coord|37.5124|-122.2531|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| established      = {{start date|1998|06|df=y}}
| dissolved        = 
| location         = [[San Carlos, California]]
| type             = [[Aviation museum]]
| collection       = 50+ aircraft
| visitors         = 
| founder          = [[Stanley Hiller|Stanley Hiller Jr.]]
| director         = 
| president        = Jon Welte
| curator          = 
| owner            =
| publictransit    = 
| car_park         = 
| network          = 
| website          = {{URL|www.hiller.org}}
}}

The '''Hiller Aviation Museum''' is an [[aviation museum]] located at the [[San Carlos Airport (California)|San Carlos Airport]] in [[San Carlos, California]], focused on [[Northern California]] aviation history, [[Hiller Aircraft]] and helicopter history.

==History==
===Background===
As early as the late 1960s, [[Stanley Hiller]] began collecting aircraft at a warehouse in [[Redwood City, California]].<ref name="Larsen">{{cite news |last1=Larsen |first1=Elaine |title=Flights of Fancy |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/744964808 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=Pacifica Tribune |date=21 April 1999 |page=1B}}</ref><ref name="History">{{cite web |title=History and Mission |url=http://www.hiller.org/museum/history-and-mission |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref> By 1986, it displayed 15 aircraft and set a goal of a acquiring a total of 28 of Hiller's designs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goode |first1=Tim |title=Preserving an Era in Aviation |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/846506809 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=Times Tribune |date=12 November 1986 |pages=1D, 4D}}</ref> Eight years later it had surpassed this and the '''Hiller Museum of Northern California Aviation Heritage''' included over 40 aircraft.<ref name="Mitchell">{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Eve |title=Hiller Museum Tries to Land in San Carlos |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/462008295 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=San Francisco Examiner |date=26 April 1994 |pages=P-1, P-7}}</ref>

===Move to San Carlos===
However, public access was limited.<ref name="History" /> So, funded by a trust established by Hiller, the museum announced a proposal to acquire a {{convert|13,000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} building at the [[San Carlos Airport (California)|San Carlos Airport]] and expand it to {{convert|44,000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} facility.<ref name="Mitchell" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Michael |title=Turnaround Whiz Moves On |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/574837866 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=The Spokesman-Review |date=3 November 1996 |pages=A20, A22}}</ref> A lease for the property was approved in March 1996 and ground was broken in October.<ref name="Clifford">{{cite news |last1=Clifford |first1=James O. |title=Air Museum Dream Becoming Reality |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/931152835 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=Chico Enterprise-Record |agency=Associated Press |date=17 March 1996 |page=1B}}</ref><ref name="Larsen" /> The {{convert|53,000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} '''Hiller Aviation Museum''' opened on 5 June 1998.<ref name="Clifford" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Aviation Museum Takes Flight |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/515619585 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=The Californian |agency=Associated Press |date=5 June 1998 |page=3C}}</ref>

The [[Boeing 2707]] mockup, which had been on display at the museum since it opened, moved back to Seattle in 2013 where it is undergoing restoration at the [[Museum of Flight]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spaeth |first1=Andreas |title=Boeing 2707 SST: More Than Just a Mock-Up |url=http://www.key.aero/article/boeing-2707-sst-more-just-mock |website=Key.aero |access-date=12 August 2024 |date=23 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gille |first1=John |title=Boeing SST Mockup Coming Home After 40 Years; Will It Become the Centerpiece of a New Sonics Arena? |url=http://blog.thenewstribune.com/business/2013/04/11/boeing-sst-mockup-coming-home-after-40-years-will-it-become-the-centerpiece-of-a-new-sonics-arena |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=The News Tribune |date=11 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402205840/http://blog.thenewstribune.com/business/2013/04/11/boeing-sst-mockup-coming-home-after-40-years-will-it-become-the-centerpiece-of-a-new-sonics-arena |archive-date=2 April 2016}}</ref>

== Facilities ==
The Michael King Smith Research Library at the museum has a collection of approximately 5,400 books.<ref>{{cite web |title=Library |url=http://www.hiller.org/museum/library |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref>

== Exhibits ==
Exhibits at the museum include flight simulators, a retired British Airways 747 to explore, and an indoor drone plex. There are also displays about early aviation, California pioneers, air racing, women in aviation, the mechanics of flight, urban air mobility and weather.<ref>{{cite web |title=Exhibits |url=http://www.hiller.org/museum/exhibits |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref>

One of the museum's most popular attractions is the forward fuselage and flight deck of a retired British Airways Boeing 747-100, painted in Flying Tigers colors, open for public access via staircase.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-29 |title=Museum Spotlight: Hiller Aviation Museum |url=https://www.flyingmag.com/museum-spotlight-hiller-aviation-museum/ |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=www.flyingmag.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Collection==
[[File:Hiller XH-44 helicopter, reproduction, view 1 - Hiller Aviation Museum - San Carlos, California - DSC03168.jpg|thumb|Hiller XH-44]]

===Aircraft===
{{Div col}}
* [[Aero Commander 500 family|Aero Commander 500U]]<ref name="aircraft">{{cite web |title=Aircraft on Display |url=http://www.hiller.org/museum/aircraft-on-display |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Aero L-39 Albatros]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Aero L-39C Albatros |url=http://www.hiller.org/l39-albatros |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Airbus A³ Vahana|Airbus Vahana]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Arnold AR-5]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* Beachey Little Looper – replica<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Bede BD-5|Bede BD-5T]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Bell 47D]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Boeing 737-200]] – cockpit<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Boeing 747]] – forward fuselage<ref>{{cite web |title=Boeing 747-100 Nose Section and Cockpit |url=http://www.hiller.org/boeing-747 |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Boeing Condor]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Boeing Condor |url=http://www.hiller.org/condor |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Bright Star Swift]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Buhl A-1 Autogiro]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Cessna 177 Cardinal]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Colomban Cri-cri]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Curtiss Model D]] – replica<ref>{{cite web |title=Curtiss "Pusher" |url=http://www.hiller.org/curtiss-pusher |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* Del Mar DH-20<ref name="aircraft" />
* EAA Penguin<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Fairchild Hiller FH-1100]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Fokker Dr.I]] – replica<ref>{{cite web |title=Fokker Dr.1 Triplane |url=http://www.hiller.org/fokker-dr-1-triplane |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[General Atomics MQ-1 Predator]]<ref>{{cite web |title=General Atomics MQ-1B Predator |url=http://www.hiller.org/mq-1b |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Grumman HU-16 Albatross|Grumman HU-16(RD) Albatross]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Grumman HU-16-RD "Albatross" |url=http://www.hiller.org/grumman-albatross |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Hiller 360]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Hiller Flying Platform]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Hiller Flying Platform |url=http://www.hiller.org/flying-platform |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Coleopter#Early experiments|Hiller VXT-8]] – replica<ref name="aircraft" />
* Hiller J-10<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Hiller OH-23 Raven|Hiller OH-23B Raven]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Hiller UH-12 | Hiller UH-12A]]
* [[Hiller XH-44]] – replica<ref>{{cite web |title=Hiller XH-44 |url=http://www.hiller.org/hiller-xh44 |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Hiller XROE-1 Rotorcycle]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Hiller XROE-1 Rotorcycle |url=http://www.hiller.org/rotorcycle |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Hiller YH-32 Hornet]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* Hiller YH-32 Hornet<ref name="aircraft" />
* Hollmann HA-2M Sportster<ref name="aircraft" />
* Irvine Aerocycloid – replica<ref>{{cite web |title=Aerocycloid |url=http://www.hiller.org/aerocycloid |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Kitty Hawk Flyer]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Lockheed YO-3 Quiet Star]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lockheed YO-3A |url=http://www.hiller.org/yo-3a |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Weldon B. Cooke#Aviation career|Maupin-Lanteri Black Diamond]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Black Diamond |url=http://www.hiller.org/black-diamond |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Frederick Marriott#Avitor|Marriott Avitor]] – replica<ref>{{cite web |title=Avitor |url=http://www.hiller.org/avitor |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[John Joseph Montgomery#Evergreen|Montgomery Evergreen]]
* [[John Joseph Montgomery#Fixed-wing gliders|Montgomery Gull]] – replica<ref>{{cite web |title=Gull Glider |url=http://www.hiller.org/gull-glider |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[John Joseph Montgomery#Tandem-wing gliders|Montgomery Santa Clara]] – replica<ref>{{cite web |title=Santa Clara Glider |url=http://www.hiller.org/santa-clara-glider |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[NASA AD-1]]<ref>{{cite web |title=NASA AD-1 |url=http://www.hiller.org/nasa-ad-1 |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Opener BlackFly]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* ParaPlane PM-1<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Pietenpol Air Camper]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Pitts Special|Pitts S-1C]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Quicksilver MX]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[RotorWay Scorpion]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Rutan Defiant]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Rutan Defiant 40 |url=http://www.hiller.org/defiant-40 |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Rutan Long-EZ]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[SoloTrek XFV]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[SpaceShipOne]] – replica<ref>{{cite web |title=Space Ship One |url=http://www.hiller.org/space-ship-one |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=10 May 2024}}</ref>
* [[Stearman-Hammond Y-1]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Thaden T-1|Thaden T-1 Argonaut]] – fuselage<ref name="aircraft" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dianda |first1=Mario |title=Trying to Fulfill Her Late Husband's Dream |url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/845905362 |access-date=12 August 2024 |work=Times Tribune |date=31 October 1988 |pages=A-1, A-5}}</ref>
* [[Travel Air 2000|Travel Air D4D]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* United Helicopters UH-4<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Velie Monocoupe]] Model 70<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Vin Fiz Flyer]] – replica<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Wisk Cora|Wisk Cora Gen5]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Wright Flyer]] – replica<ref name="aircraft" />
{{Div col end}}

===Ground vehicles===
{{Div col}}
* [[Baker Motor Vehicle|Baker]] electric automobile<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Messerschmitt KR200]]<ref name="aircraft" />
{{Div col end}}

===Simulators===
{{Div col}}
* Curtiss Wright P-2<ref name="aircraft" />
* Del Mar DHT-2<ref name="aircraft" />
* [[Link Trainer]]<ref name="aircraft" />
* McDonnell Douglas A-4M Skyhawk cockpit simulator<ref name="aircraft" />
{{Div col end}}

==Events==
The museum hosts the Biggest Little Air Show, an annual airshow consisting of radio-control model aircraft ending with a piloted aerobatic demonstration.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tam |first1=Hayman |title=The Biggest Little Air Show |url=http://www.generalaviationnews.com/2023/01/23/the-biggest-little-air-show |access-date=16 July 2025 |work=General Aviation News |date=23 January 2023}}</ref> It also holds an annual Airport Runway Run.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hiller Aviation Museum to host annual airport runway run at San Carlos airport |url=http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/hiller-aviation-museum-airport-race/3842940 |access-date=16 July 2025 |work=NBC Bay Area |date=11 April 2025}}</ref>
  
This museum sponsored Vertical Challenge, an annual all-helicopter airshow from 2000-2010, and a final one in 2012.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}} In 2011 and 2016 an aviation festival event called Heli-Fest was held instead.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

==Programs==
This museum offers two Scouts BSA Merit Badge programs, the Aviation Merit Badge and the Weather Merit Badge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hiller Merit Badge Program |url=https://pacsky.org/activities/scouts-bsa-activities/hiller-merit-badge-program/ |publisher=Boy Scouts of America, Pacific Skyline Council |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|San Francisco Bay Area}}

* [[List of aerospace museums]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130115034207/http://www.hiller.org/fact-sheet.shtml ''Fact Sheet'']
*[http://www.hiller.org/wp-content/uploads/2018-Q2-Briefings.pdf Preserving a Legacy]
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

* {{Official website|http://www.hiller.org}}

{{Fairchild Industries}}
{{San Carlos, California}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Aerospace museums in California]]
[[Category:Museums in San Mateo County, California]]
[[Category:Smithsonian Institution affiliates]]
[[Category:1998 establishments in California]]