VFS started its Vertical Flight Heritage Sites Program in 2013 to highlight the important vertical flight historical sites around the world. VFS hopes to promote to the public the rich history of the world-wide vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft community through this program.
On Friday, April 4, VFS held its first post-COVID ceremony, recognizing the former Hughes Helicopter Culver City Plant (now known as Playa Vista, Los Angeles, California): This was the site of all Hughes Helicopter research, development and production from 1948 to 1983, including the XH-17 and XH-28 tipjet flying cranes in the 1950s, and the Model 269 and 369 light helicopters. The site, selected in March 2021, is also where the (now Boeing) Hughes AH-64 Apache was designed and developed.
The former Hughes Spruce Goose Hangar is now a Google campus. We were so pleased to have the support of the Spruce Goose Googlers, led by facilities manager David Gonzalez and crew. It was an awesome way to recognize the heritage of this incredible building and Hughes helicopter developments. VFS Director of Strategy Mike Hirschberg officiated the ceremony.
See photos from the event and read the detailed site nomination by Paul Fardink!