by Garrett Griffin
Fourteen members of Photochrome met at the Hiller Aviation Museum just as the doors opened at 10 AM on the last Saturday in February. Once inside, the members went their separate ways, some partnering, some alone. Airplanes were everywhere, including hanging from the ceiling. Hiller built helicopters, so naturally, choppers took center stage. Many of the exhibits are original. Some are reproductions. All are fascinating.
An interesting subject for Photochromers, the cockpit of a 747, welcomes guests. Instrumentation is as numerous as it is complex, fascinating and photogenic. Dials, gauges, levers, switches, yolks and pilot seats await a bold adventurer to sit, take the controls and climb into the wild blue yonder, if only in the visitor’s imagination.
One section of the mezzanine is dedicated to youngsters, learning to fly by simulator. They “pilot” the planes with computers and view their progress on a three screen monitor while real pilots watch, oversee and monitor their “in flight” progress. A pilot told me that some of these kids could actually take off, fly and land a plane if given the chance.
While Photochromers rambled through the cavernous museum gathering images, an Alaskan bush pilot gave a talk before a packed audience. Following this, a memorial service was held for three members of the Tesla car company who recently died in a fog related plane crash. The flying community is small and tight knit.
With antique flying machines, early helicopters and oodles of airplane related artifacts, the Hiller Aviation Museum proved a goldmine of worthy images. The gift shop isn’t too bad either.
Several members met up after the museum soiree at the San Carlos Airport coffee shop for lunch and a post trip debriefing. A general jaw fest ensued as they rehashed their visit. All present expressed satisfaction with this unusual field trip and agreed it proved more than worthwhile.
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