Tag Archives: Hiller Aviation Museum

Hiller Aviation Museum’s “The Biggest Little Air Show”

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If you hear the sounds of a tiny armada flying over the Shores, don’t be afraid — that’s the sound of the Hiller Aviation Museum’s “The Biggest Little Air Show”, a special event celebrating and showcasing model aircraft. The event runs from 10AM to 1PM.

Please note that, during air events at the Hiller Aviation Museum, roads into and around San Carlos Airport may be affected, and residents may hear unusual noises during the daytime events. 

The following description and video will give more information on the event, as it is described on the Hiller Aviation Museum website. 

 

Join the festivities as the Biggest Little Air Show matches a thrilling aerobatic performance by airshow pilot Vicky Benzing and her full-sized 1940 Boeing Stearman along with demonstrations of exceptional radio controlled models from the Baylands RC Flyers group.  San Carlos Airport will close to regular traffic from 10:30 am to noon to allow realistic jet- and propeller-powered model aircraft to roll down the runway and into the sky to take their part in a unique aerial extravaganza including aerobatic helicopters, computer controlled DRONES, quadrotors, high performance model rockets and more!!

(*NOTE: This message is an alert to our community that this event will take place over our airspace, and that it may be of interest to residents. RSCA is not affiliated with the Hiller Aviation Museum.)

HeliFest!

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After eleven years, the Vertical Challenge Helicopter Air Show is getting a makeover. This June 18 & 19, 2011, marks the debut of HeliFest at the Hiller Aviation Museum. Instead of a single, one-day event, HeliFest gathers several festivals into a two-day, super fun weekend. HeliFest is not an airshow but in keeping with the original theme of Vertical Challenge, HeliFest showcases military and commercial helicopters on display and open to the public for two, full days. HeliFest also features fabulous food, wine and the Bay Area’s finest microbrews. And returning this year is the popular Kid’s Zone that includes slides, rides, face-painting and fun activities that kids love.

Why these changes? Increasingly strict federal regulations regarding air shows and restrictions by local airport management combined with the economic challenges faced by commercial and government helicopter operators, at both the local and state level, have made it necessary to modify Vertical Challenge. Also, with new event partners, food-providers, brewers and other participants, the opportunity exists for creating a unique event never seen before on the San Francisco Peninsula: The result is HeliFest!

Highlights of HeliFest:

  • Helicopter Festival – We welcome commercial operators and the United States military with their big helicopters, available and open for the public to explore.
  • Microbrew Festival – Enjoy some of the best Microbrews that the San Francisco Peninsula has to offer.
  • Wine Festival – For those who enjoy wine with their whirlybirds, this is for you!
  • Food Festival – We feature some of the best Bay Area food vendors for your dining pleasure.
  • Kids Festival – The little ones will have plenty to do getting face paintings and playing on giant slides and rides.

HeliFest is June 18 & 19, 10am – 4pm

Tickets are $15 adult, $10 youth (5-17) and seniors (65+), kids 4 and under are free.

No VIP passes or discount coupons accepted for HeliFest.

75th Anniversary Celebration of the Douglas DC-3

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On December 17, 1935 the first Douglas DC-3 transport took to the sky on its maiden flight from Clover Field, Santa Monica California – the site of the Douglas Aircraft Factory. Aircraft designer and builder, Donald Douglas, plans to revolutionize the airline industry were on the line with that first flight, he wasn’t to be disappointed. Much like the importance on the Wright Brothers first flight, the first DC-3 took to the air on the same day 32 years later.

Safe and reliable and built for passenger comfort, the DC-3 quickly became standard of commercial flight, enabling the fledgling airline industry to carry passengers at a profit for the first time. While revolutionizing commercial air travel, military variants of the DC-3 were an integral part of WWII. Out of the 10,631 of the type built under Douglas guidance from 1935 until 1947, it is estimated that over 1,200 of the sturdy twin engine transports are still flyable worldwide.

Friday December 17 & Saturday December 18, the Hiller Aviation Museum will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the historic DC-3 with a tribute featuring a host of presentations by experts, a photo exhibit and DC-3 aircraft on display.

The Hiller Aviation Museum is located at 601 Skyway Rd. on the San Carlos Airport. For more info call (650) 654-0200 or visit www.hiller.org

— William Turner
— VP Operations, Hiller Aviation Museum

Vertical Challenge: 11th Annual Helicopter Air Show

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How old were you when you got bit by the rotor wing bug? Was it when you started walking and could point to the sky at that strange thing suspended in the air? Or was it your retirement present to yourself to become a helicopter pilot? Or are you somewhere in the middle? Doesn’t matter, the fact is you like helicopters and that is exactly what Vertical Challenge is all about.

Pilots from across the United States will showcase their helicopters at the 11th Annual Hiller Aviation Museum’s Vertical Challenge on June 19, 2010. This event illustrates the many different abilities of the agile aircraft.

“They come in so many different shapes and sizes and have such a variety of different tasks that they perform. The helicopter is kind of the unsung hero. They’re the ones that fly in after the car crash and medivac to the hospital. They’re the ones that fly head first into the fire that everyone else is running away from and when someone is stranded at sea in a storm that even grounds the birds, it is the helicopter that braves they way for the rescue,” Said Willie Turner, Vice President of Operation for the Hiller Aviation Museum.

Helicopters are used for everything from traffic reports to cliff rescues to national defense. The Vertical Challenge will showcase the different functions of the helicopter with various demonstrations including fire fighting, Search and Rescue and many other types of helicopter functions. Returning to the show this year will be Otto the Clown Helicopter along with an appearance from the only Zeppelin in the United States, flown by Airship Ventures.

Vertical Challenge is the place to be if you like helicopters. If you or someone you know has a helicopter and would like to participate please contact the Hiller Aviation Museum (650) 654-0200 and visit the web site at www.hiller.org