History of the Museum
The Hiller Aviation Museum was founded by helicopter pioneer Stanley Hiller Jr. and opened to the public in June 1998. The museum can trace its origins to the 1970s. A group of eclectic aircraft, collected by Stanley, was gathered in a warehouse in Redwood City but only accessible to the general public by special appointment. The growing collection consisted of unique early aircraft, one-of-a-kind prototypes, and cutting-edge test vehicles, some of which came from the Hiller Aircraft Company between 1944-1964 and other manufacturers. The importance of an adventurous and innovative spirit is evident in the aircraft collection. These traits were Stanley’s hallmark over decades of invention as a helicopter manufacturing pioneer. They reflected Stan’s own participation in Northern California aviation history in which he produced innovative aircraft the world had never seen, from personal flying platforms to ramjet tipped rotorcraft.