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History

 

The museum was founded in1997 through the initiative of Västerås City Public Relations Manager Björn Klingmalm and the airport manager Per Töörn who called for a joint meeting out at Hässlö. The City Director Kenneth Holmstedt was a promoter. Minutes from this meeting were written by Björn Klingmalm and have been fundamental to the museum's structure. The fantastic CVV building and the great interest in old aircraft and flight history in general provided a perfect breeding ground for a living museum.

 

The meeting had been preceded by an intensive period with various meetings both inside and outside the museum associations that existed in the city and around the Lake Mälaren. The associations out on the Hässlö area had their own but scattered premises, partly in the "Yellow Villa" and partly in the "Red Villa", as well as various hangar places.

 

The associations at formation were:

  • Västerås Flying Museum, The Yellow Villa, Hangars at "The Burnt Ground", formed in 1987

  • F1 Comrade association, premises in "Gula Villan", already existed during the F1 wing era

  • Swedish Veteran Wing, premises in Red Villa, and in Hangar 81

  • Eskilstuna Aviation Museum, started at Kjula but moved everything to Hässlö in 2004

  • Vallentuna Aviator association, small activity here and on own airstrip in Vallentuna

  • The student association at Hässlögymnasiet, subsequently exchanged for "active students", to Hässlö 1987

  • A simulator association in Stockholm that did not become active here. This activity now exists as a section within Västerås Aviation Museum.
     

Added in 2004:

  • Hässlö Aviation association, premises in GA center. Manages public aviation at the entire airport.
     

Change in 2013:

  • Västerås Aviation Museum is from 2013-03-23 a single association in which one can apply for membership. Each approved member of the association has one vote.

 

After some investigations, Västerås Aviation Museum started in 1999 with its first own flight display. This took place in May and also constituted the official inauguration of the CVV project.

The total number of members in the active associations are about 800.

We have about 40-50 co-workers who do the entire job without compensation. Revenue comes to roughly equal parts from simulator operations, re-leasing to aircraft owners (airworthy aircraft) as well as entrance fees and sales.

 

The museum is open to the public every Sunday of the year between 11.00-16.00 when everything is up and running. Groups may come at other times by arrangement. The number of annual visitors is about 3000.

 

The big uncertainty has always been how much rent the museum must - or can - pay to the City, which owns the CVV hangar. Since the entry into 1998, the Museum has invested large sums in the CVV building, all voluntary work not counted.

 

The development has, pleasantly enough, led to the fact that the premises are currently well-stocked with up to 25 aircraft, most of which are airworthy! That is unique and it has become our niche. In addition, engines, instruments and other equipment are on display.

 

Permanent photo exhibitions have been compiled over the CVV hangar and the entire history of the aircraft fleet.

 

The development of flight simulators is very exciting. Old technology from the 50's has been replaced with digital technology and projectors that provide an incredible sense of flight. How it could be done is another story, but a bunch of enthusiast can do wonders. Many visitors - who have never being able to fly - have now the chance to try them out.

 

Our goal is to show aircraft and peripherals in their proper element with knowledgeable guides in a historic and beautiful building from 1938.

 

Through the former chairman at Västerås Aviation Museum,
Rune Domås (1928 - 2021)

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