Santa Clara Glider
![](https://www.hiller.org/wp-content/uploads/Hiller-Museum-Santa-Clara-Glider.jpg)
John J Montgomery 1905 Santa Clara Glider (Replica)
Built in 1905, this John Montgomery glider had tandem wings. It was flown from Aptos California in rather an unorthodox manner suspended from a hot air balloon that rose to 4,000 ft. altitude. The glider was cut loose and glided to the ground. There were several successful flights lasting up to 13 minutes in duration. The last flight ended in tragedy due to an entanglement with the balloon ropes damaging the glider causing it to plunge to earth. Daniel J. Malone, one of Montgomery’s collaborators, a pilot and acrobat, was flying the Santa Clara at the time and was killed.
Today’s Schedule
Today’s Schedule
The Hiller Aviation Museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. The museum is closed for Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Upcoming Events
Kids’ Air Fair
Kids' Air Fair
Aviation professionals bring their aircraft to the Museum for a special show-and-tell session.
Bubble Bonanza
Bubble Bonanza
Discover the world of rockets! Use a variety of common craft materials to convert a bottle into a high performance rocket vehicle.
Happy Birds
Happy Birds
Performing birds dazzle with their intelligence and skills and their singular ability to inspire dreams of flight.