Short introduction to Volandia - English

1. SIMULATOR AREA | LIBRARY | CONVENTION ROOM: Area for real flight simulation,
library, historical archives, convention room and video displays.
PIAZZAI MODELS: Exhibition of the Piazzai Collection, including over 1200 models that
illustrate the history of world aviation, from the pioneers to space conquest.
THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT: Dedicated to the history of AgustaWestland and the Tiltrotor
(AW 609), an innovative aircraft that represents the evolution of flight, combining the
flexibility of a helicopter with the performance of a plane.
FLAMINIO BERTONI MUSEUM: Pavilion dedicated to the designer F.Bertoni.
OGLIARI MUSEUM: The new area dedicated to the collection of tram, locomotives, ca-
ble railway of Ogliari Familiy makes Volandia one of the largest museums about transport
in Europe.
OPENING TIMES
TUE—FRI h. 10.00—19.00 / SAT—SUN h. 10.00—19.30
VOLANDIA, PARCO E MUSEO DEL VOLO
Area Ex officine Aeronautiche Caproni:
Via per Tornavento n.15,
Case Nuove 21019 Somma Lombardo (Varese).

2. VOLANDIA: PARC AND MUSEUM OF FLIGHT
VOLANDIA was created through the restoration of the historical Caproni
Aeronautic Workshops, which had been founded at Malpensa in 1910.
A park and a museum dedicated to the DREAM OF FLYING: over 60.000
sqm. of pure industrial archeology at ten minutes’ walk from Terminal 1
and the train station of Malpensa Express. An opportunity to dive into the
history of aeronautics and of space voyage for an unforgettable excursion
which starts from the travel through the airport itself.
The museum is divided in 11 areas: from the hot-air balloon flight of the
pioneers as far as the Convertiplano, perfect fusion between horizontal and
vertical flight. So many exciting installations, video-animated rooms, a
planetarium for didactic purposes and a terminal completely dedicated to
space voyage. Large playground areas for children indoors and a section
with flying simulators for the older visitors.
All this only 30 minutes’ far from Milan!
THE PAVILIONS
THE DREAM OF FLIGHT: Exposure chronological and thematic the early propeller aircraft
right up to modern aircraft with jet engine. From the simulated flight in a balloon, to large com-
panies with the Bleriot XI and the Gabardini Seaplane. New picturesque setting and the Dou-
glas DC-3 Dakota, the most popular airplane in the world for passenger transport.
SPACE PAVILION: The universe at Volandia: walk through planets and satellites, watch the
International Space Station (ISS) in the 3D room, explore the sky with the planetarium and
relive all the missions of the greatest astronauts. The Space pavilion is made in collaboration
with Italian Space Agency, European Space Agency and Finmeccanica.
FORMS OF FLIGHT: General presentation of the different forms of flight (gliding, fixed wing,
rotary wing) illustrated by aircraft of excellence produced by the Lombardy aeronautical indu-
stry.
THE FIRST FLIGHT AT MALPENSA: Staging of the first flight over the moors of Malpensa by
the Caproni Ca.1 biplane in 1910.
CAPRONI WORKSHOP: Reconstruction of the workshop where Caproni aircraft were built.
This company was the first Italian aeronautical company in the early 1900s.
FIXED WING: Chronological themed display of the first propeller-powered planes through to
modern aircraft with reaction motors.
ROTARY WING: Helicopters in civilian and military use, from the smallest Autogyros to the
enormous army and navy helicopters.
OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND: Flight-themed play area for small children.
INDOOR PLAY AREA: Play area with things to do for the different age brackets. There is also
a separate zone for parties.