For several years now, the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, California, has been conducting the Kid’s Air Faire. Timed in conjunction with its aviation summer camp programs, it is a great way to ignite the aviation spark in the next generation of young people.
Several operational aircraft showed up for the festivities at San Carlos Airport (KSOL).
The San Carlos Flight Center, a local FBO, brought two of its Cessna 172 Skyhawks, along with a team to educate folks about airplanes and flight instruction.
Homebuilts were represented by a very colorful Marquardt MA-5 Charger on display.
By far, the most popular aircraft of the day was a US Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin that landed and taxied in to the crowd’s delight.
The museum also has a static display Cessna Cardinal that became a blank canvas for hand painting by attendees, young and old. This has been very popular with the kids and, luckily, no paint was carried over to neighboring aircraft.
One interesting exhibit was an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Penguin airplane that kids could help assemble, learning about aircraft components and control systems along the way. The design dates back to 1932 when it was known as the Aero-Cycle “practice plane.”
There was also food trucks, the requisite bounce house, and several first responder agencies that came in to greet the little ones and hand out tons of stickers.
This was a successful event that will hopefully inspire a future generation of pilots and aviation professionals.
More Photos from Hiller Aviation Museum Kids Air Faire
Was the “hand-Painted” Cardinal a warning to local pilots to pay their Tie-down fees on time ? Remind me to stay away from anything like this type of event.
Carlton,
I assume this was an attempt to be funny but just so you know. The Cardinal in a non-flyable run out engine with spar damage. The museum uses it for education purposes so kids’ can touch a real airplane and not worry about breaking anything.
One a month the museum let’s kids’ paint the plane with water based washable paint. The plane is then power washed after the event.
So you’re welcome to attend, you might even enjoy it.