HAL Aerospace Museum takes pride of place as India’s first aerospace museum. The first and truly unique museum attracts hordes of visitors who love the spectacular display of magnificent aircrafts in their static state. Conceptualized and given shape by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a leading aerospace venture of Asia, the museum finds its place on the tourism map of the state of Karnataka rather automatically on account of its uniqueness.

History

The HAL Aerospace Museum comes as pleasant surprise to India’s aviation enthusiasts who were so far deprived of a museum that’s specifically devoted to the aviation industry and aircrafts. The HAL Aerospace Museum was inaugurated by the then Chairman of HAL, Dr. K D Nair. It displays ten aircraft and two mockups and is now the second largest public aviation display center in India. IAF Museum in Palam, New Delhi has more than 40 aircrafts on display.

What to Look For

HAL Aerospace Museum is a part of HAL Heritage Centre. The museum is brilliantly designed and traces the growth of HAL and the Indian aviation industry for over six decades. The museum has on display a large number of aircraft and helicopters. Visitors remain engrossed for hours on end at places where aircraft engine models and flight simulators are showcased. The museum creates a real life aviation environment inside complete with a mock ATC or Air Traffic Control Tower.

Hall 1 and Its Displays

Hall 1 of the museum has seven galleries that take you through the developing years of HAL. The hall displays photographs of important dignitaries who have visited the HAL premises over the years. These include photographs of Lord Mountbatten, the late King Birendra of Nepal and King Zahir Shah of Afghanistan. The hall also posts rare, never-seen pictures important milestones such as the first flight of the HT-2; the HF-24 Marut etc.

There are also pictures of Vultee Vengeance bombers being constructed in the 40s, Dakotas, Tempests and Devons being overhauled in the 50s, and Vampires, Gnats and Maruts being designed in the 60s in the galleries. Each gallery has amazing metal models of specific decades on display. Photo mosaics demonstrating HAL's expertise in Trainer, Combat and Transport aircrafts are also seen.

Hall 2 and Open Displays

Most of the aircrafts in the museum displayed out in the sprawling open space outside the main building. HUL-26 Pushpak and the HAL Basant are the exceptions as they are displayed inside the Hall 2.

The Mock ATC

Another key reason for visiting the HAL Aerospace Museum is to experience the excitement of flying in the advanced flight simulators provided here. The rooftop of the museum offers a panoramic view of the landing and takeoff of various aircraft at HAL Bangalore Airport from the mock ATC Tower.

Visitor Information

The HAL Aerospace Museum is open to visitors on all days from 9 AM to 5 PM. There is an entry fee of INR 30 per person.

How to Reach

By Road

The museum is 30 km from Bengaluru city and can be reached by private or state buses or taxis.

By Rail

The railhead nearest to the museum is the Bengaluru Railway Station.

By Air

The nearest airport to the museum is the Bengaluru International Airport.