Aviation Musuem – Exploring San Diego

A Passion That Took Flight

The museum began in 1992, not as a large institution, but as a personal passion project. Founder Mark DiCiero built his own helicopter and learned to fly it—an experience that sparked a lifelong fascination with rotorcraft.

What started with one aircraft quickly grew. As DiCiero began collecting and restoring helicopters, a vision took shape: preserve these machines not just as artifacts, but as working pieces of history.

Hours of operation at Classic Rotors:

Tuesday & Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Mon, Wed & Thur by Appointment

Classic Rotors Helicopter Museum in Ramona, California, is one of only a few museums worldwide dedicated solely to the preservation of rare and vintage rotorcraft. Located at the Ramona Airport, it features a collection of over 40 aircraft, including unique prototypes and experimental designs.

Building a “Living” Museum

From its earliest days, the Classic Rotors Museum took a different approach. Rather than focusing solely on static displays, the museum became a working collection:

Aircraft are restored to flight-ready condition
Volunteers handle everything from maintenance to tours
Demonstrations bring helicopters back into the sky

This philosophy has turned the museum into one of the few places in the world where you can see vintage rotorcraft not just up close—but in motion.

A Rare Focus on Rotorcraft

While many aviation museums feature helicopters as part of a broader collection, Classic Rotors is dedicated almost entirely to them. Its growing collection includes:

Military helicopters from past conflicts
Experimental and early rotorcraft designs
Rare models that are difficult to find anywhere else

Each aircraft tells part of the story of vertical flight—from its early innovations to its role in modern aviation.

Powered by Volunteers

One of the most remarkable aspects of the museum is how it operates. It remains a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization, sustained by people who are passionate about aviation history.