Hidden in the northern part of Bucharest, behind old industrial buildings on Fabrica de Glucoză Street, the National Museum of Romanian Aviation is more than just a collection of aircraft—it is a living chronicle of the nation’s aeronautical history. 

From the dream of flight to a space of aeronautical memory

The location was not chosen by chance: more than a century ago, it was home to the School of Aerial Observers, and later, to the Pipera Military Airfield. From this very airfield, Smaranda Brăescu. the woman who would become a global aviation legend—broke the American parachuting record in 1931.

Today, this museum dedicated to those who wrote Romania’s history of flight stands as a pilgrimage site for aviation enthusiasts and a testament to the ambition of a nation that, through Traian Vuia, Henri Coandă, and Aurel Vlaicu, helped shape the progress of world aviation.

The first ideas: a dream born after World War I

The desire to create a Romanian aviation museum is not new. It dates back to the interwar period, shortly after the end of World War I. 

The National Aeronautical League of Romania was the first to propose, in the 1920s, the establishment of a “museum point” to display military materials and aircraft used or captured during combat operations. 

The aim was twofold: to preserve the memory of fallen aviators and to showcase the rapid technological evolution of aviation.

In 1938, the famous historian Nicolae Iorga revived the idea, arguing that Romania—already home to some of the greatest pioneers of flight—deserved a space dedicated to its achievements in aviation. Unfortunately, the outbreak of World War II derailed all such plans. 

The country was forced to redirect its resources elsewhere, and the dream of a museum was postponed for more than thirty years.

The first museum points of the 1970s

Only in the early 1970s did the leadership of the Romanian Air Force revive the plan. Their goal was clear: young pilots had to learn about their legendary predecessors—Vuia, Vlaicu, and Coandă. 

It was during this time that the first small museum points were established in the flight schools of Bobocu and Mediaș. Though modest, these initiatives marked the beginning of what would eventually become a national institution devoted to aviation history.

The birth of the National Museum of Romanian Aviation

The National Museum of Romanian Aviation officially came into existence on March 2, 1990, following Government Decision No. 197/1990. Its first home was within the Technical Base of Otopeni, a military unit that would later gain unwanted fame during the “Țigareta II” scandal of 1998.

Conditions were far from ideal. The museum’s former director, Commander Paul Sandachi, recalled those early, challenging years: 

“From the very beginning, the museum was open to visitors. It was set up in military tents—hot and stifling in summer, freezing in winter. Our exhibits were mostly documents and photographs. We didn’t even have a single plane on display.”

Despite these hardships, the museum quickly attracted attention. It became a symbol of resilience, a sign that the spirit of Romanian aviation could not be grounded, even in the most difficult circumstances.

The move to Băneasa and the first aircraft exhibits

In 1995, the museum was relocated to Băneasa, in a building that had once hosted the first meteorological center of Romanian aviation. 

There, for the first time, real aircraft and helicopters were displayed. This marked a turning point—the museum was no longer just an archive of documents but a living space where visitors could feel the pulse of aviation history.

Sadly, the building was later demolished, to the deep regret of Commander Sandachi, who considered it a historic landmark for the institution.

A new home for the museum

In 2000, the collections were transferred to a former military unit near Otopeni Airport. However, that space soon proved too small for the expanding exhibits. Thus, in 2005, the museum found its current home in the complex on Fabrica de Glucoză Street, where it continues to operate today.

Although the move was a logistical challenge, it brought a major advantage: the new, spacious hangars allowed for full-scale aircraft displays and realistic recreations of aviation environments, giving visitors the sensation of stepping into an operational airbase.

The Pipera Military Airfield and Smaranda Brăescu’s record

The museum’s current location carries immense historical significance. It sits on the site of the Pipera Military Airfield, established in 1915 to train graduates of the Cotroceni Military Pilot School. For decades, Pipera was one of Romania’s most important training centers for military aviators.

It was from this airfield that Smaranda Brăescu made history in 1931, when she broke the American parachuting record, setting a new world standard. 

Her extraordinary courage and technical mastery turned her into a symbol of Romanian aviation and an inspiration for women pilots around the world. It is therefore fitting that this place now serves as a home to the museum that preserves her legacy and that of all Romanian aviators.

The treasures of the museum: from Vuia to Coandă

The museum is organized into two large hangars, each with its own distinct theme. The first hangar houses the main exhibition, which traces the history of Romanian aeronautics from its beginnings up to 1959. Visitors can explore dedicated sections honoring the three great pioneers of Romanian flight: Traian Vuia, Aurel Vlaicu, and Henri Coandă.

Here, one can admire a faithful replica of Vuia’s No. 1 aircraft, original documents and personal belongings of Vlaicu, and scale models of the groundbreaking inventions that propelled Romania into the global aviation elite.

This hangar also includes a section devoted to World War II, featuring a replica of the IAR-80 fighter plane—one of the most advanced aircraft ever built in Romania—alongside authentic uniforms, weapons, and wartime journals that bring the era to life.

Interwar atmosphere and the rise of modern aviation

Between the two hangars lies a passageway designed to recreate the atmosphere of interwar Bucharest, illustrating how aviation became an integral part of Romanian culture, fashion, and imagination during that era.

The second hangar focuses on aviation from the 1960s and 1970s, displaying aircraft such as the MiG-17, MiG-19, and MiG-21, as well as the L-29 training plane. Visitors can also explore flight simulators, radar and communication equipment, and anti-aircraft artillery, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of military technology during the Cold War.

Outside, in the open-air exhibition park, visitors encounter a variety of aircraft—both propeller-driven and jet-powered—alongside helicopters and other pieces of military hardware carefully restored to preserve their historical authenticity.

Modernization and recognition

In 2006, marking the centenary of Traian Vuia’s first powered flight, the National Museum of Romanian Aviation organized the most extensive commemorative events in the country. These celebrations reinforced the museum’s prestige as a guardian of Romanian aeronautical heritage.

In 2020, the museum received a grant of 98 million lei for major restoration work and exhibition improvements. The funds were used to repair hangars, restore historic aircraft, and create new interactive educational spaces for younger visitors.

The legacy of Romanian flight

Today, the National Museum of Romanian Aviation is more than just a tourist attraction—it is a memorial to courage, vision, and innovation. It tells the story of people who dared to dream of conquering the skies and who turned that dream into reality.

From Vuia’s experimental aircraft and Vlaicu’s mechanical genius, to Coandă’s jet innovations and Smaranda Brăescu’s record-breaking bravery, the history of Romanian aviation is one of perseverance and passion.

Standing on the very ground where generations of pilots trained and legends took flight, the museum keeps alive the spirit of those who pushed beyond the limits of possibility.

Within its walls and beneath the wings of its aircraft, the National Museum of Romanian Aviation remains a true sanctuary of aerial memory—a place where the past and present meet, united by the eternal human dream of flight. 

We also recommend: The Genius of Romanian Aeronautics: Who Henri Coandă Was and Why Otopeni Airport Bears His Name