Aviaticum: Where aviation history comes to life
Flying is more than just technology: It’s about ideas, courage, and many firsts. In Austria, aviation history began with balloons and daring pioneers — and led to gliding, early motorized aircraft, and modern developments. If you want to understand how dreams became viable wings, the Aviaticum is the place to be.
Each station tells a story: Of people who pushed boundaries, of trials and successes, of courage and precision. Anyone who loves aviation—or is simply curious—will find answers and moments of revelation for the whole family here.
Why Austria’s aviation history is so inspiring
From the very beginning, Austria has been more than just a spectator in the world of aviation: From early balloon flights and daring experiments to innovative designs such as the legendary Etrich “Taube” and a strong gliding tradition, real pioneering work has been done here. Places such as Wiener Neustadt were early centers for construction, testing, and training — driven by inventiveness, precision, and courage. This combination has made aviation history and continues to shape why flying “made in Austria” is so fascinating.
What you will discover at our museum
- Originals & replicas from different eras: From wooden-framed aircraft to 20th-century technology.
- Gliding in focus – elegant, quiet, rich in records and stories.
- Engines, cockpits, and a flight simulator: Understand, touch, and try out the technology.
- Special highlights such as a Messerschmitt Me 109 and a large collection of aircraft engines.
- Women also wrote aviation history: From the first balloon flights to modern aviation, women have played a decisive role in shaping the development of aviation. The Aviaticum also tells their story.
We look forward to your visit!
Location
Wiener Straße 120 (at Restaurant Fliegerstüberl) A - 2700 Wr. Neustadt
Opening Hours
From May 1 to October 31, every weekend and public holiday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission Fees
Adults: €7, children up to 14 years of age and senior citizens €4
What you can discover with us
Aviaticum is the beating heart of Austrian aviation – lively, inspiring, unique. Our mission is clear: We want to bring the remarkable history of Austrian aviation technology to life for visitors. Whether it’s the legendary Messerschmitt Bf 109, the elegant Lohner-Etrich Taube, historic gliders, or detailed aircraft engines – each piece of the collection tells a story of pioneering spirit, innovation, and the endless thirst for air and freedom. At the Aviaticum, we preserve these memories – and passionately pass them on to future generations.
Experience Austrian
Aviation History
Every aircraft tells a story of courage, pioneering spirit, and the longing for freedom above the clouds.
We invite you to immerse yourself in these stories, be inspired by the technology, and discover the dream of flying anew.
Kurt Steiner's Collection
A rare piece of aviation history: Over a period of more than 40 years, the Austrian engineer Kurt Steiner devoted himself to rebuilding a Messerschmitt Me 109 — piece by piece, using original parts from numerous aircraft. You can see this extraordinary achievement and here at the Aviaticum.
Flying Women
Women are an essential part of aviation history — much of it took place off the radar of major headlines. This makes it all that more important to highlight their achievements. The Aviaticum also tells their stories, which show how pioneering spirit wrote aviation history regardless of gender.
Unique Engines
The aircraft engines exhibited at the Aviaticum are true masterpieces of restoration. Particularly impressive are the first series-produced jet engine and the legendary DB 610 twin engine.
Such rarities are rarely seen anywhere in the world – but at the Aviaticum, you can experience them up close.
History to Wear
Uniforms from around the world tell their stories: From paratroopers of World War II to American, German, and British pilots.
The vitrines contain rare exhibits, including a Russian pressure suit. Each uniform bears the traces of an era and brings aviation history to life.
Records that made history
It is still on display at the Aviaticum today: The balloon basket with its burner, used by Josef Starkbaum in 1989 to achieve the incredible altitude record of 15,011 m — a world record that still remains unbroken today.
A piece of Austrian aviation history that visitors can experience up close here.