This summer I started volunteering at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, California. Tucked alongside San Carlos Airport on the Peninsula, the museum is a hidden gem dedicated to the history and future of flight. Every weekend I head over to help out in two of my favorite spots: the Drone Plex and the Invention Lab. It’s been one of the most rewarding things I’ve done – combining my love of aviation with the chance to share it with the next generation of pilots and engineers.
Flying Drones at the Hiller Aviation Museum
The Drone Plex is an indoor flying arena where visitors – mostly kids and families – get to pilot small quadcopters through an obstacle course. As a volunteer, I help visitors with pre-flight checks, explain the controls, and coach them through their first flights. There’s nothing quite like watching a seven-year-old nail a smooth landing after a few wobbly attempts. The space is netted off so drones stay contained, and there’s always a line of eager kids waiting for their turn. On busy weekends we run dozens of flights, and it never gets old seeing that spark of excitement when someone gets the hang of it for the first time.
The XH-44 Hiller-Copter
One of the museum’s most impressive artifacts is the Hiller XH-44, a bright yellow coaxial-rotor helicopter that sits near the entrance. Stanley Hiller Jr. designed, built, and flew this aircraft at just 19 years old. Its first flight took place at UC Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium on July 4, 1944 – making it the first successful coaxial helicopter in the United States and the first helicopter with all-metal rotor blades. What makes the story even more remarkable is that Hiller taught himself to fly while testing the prototype. The XH-44 is a centerpiece of the museum and a testament to what young innovators can accomplish.
The Invention Lab
Down the hall from the main exhibits is the Invention Lab, a hands-on maker space where kids and adults can explore aerodynamics, engineering, and design. I help run activities here too – guiding visitors through building paper airplanes, testing wing shapes, and experimenting with basic circuits. It’s a space where curiosity drives everything, and the best part is watching kids figure things out on their own with just a nudge in the right direction.
If you’re ever in the Bay Area and have an afternoon free, the Hiller Aviation Museum is well worth a visit. It’s located at San Carlos Airport, 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos, and is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Whether you’re into historic aircraft, drones, or just want to see kids light up in the Invention Lab, there’s something here for everyone. Volunteering has reminded me that the best way to learn about flight is to share it with someone who’s discovering it for the first time.
