Hans-Grade-Museum
Small aviation museum in an Interflug IL-18 at the historic Borkheide airfield, dedicated to aviation pioneer Hans Grade – closed in the 2026 season.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The engineer Hans Grade, born in Köslin in 1878, made his first powered flights in Magdeburg in 1908 with a triplane he had built himself. In August 1909 he moved his workshop and monoplane to the village of Bork, today's Borkheide, where he flew at the "Mars" airfield, soon afterwards built an aircraft factory and opened a flying school in 1910. In 1912 a new, larger airfield was built north of the Berlin–Dessau railway line. On 18 February 1912 a Grade pilot carried mail by aeroplane for the first time in Germany, from Bork to Brück.
On 16 November 1989 an Interflug crew landed the retired Ilyushin IL-18, registration DDR-STE, after about 34,000 flight hours on a grass strip near Borkheide – a feat of flying on only about 800 metres of meadow. The aircraft was given to the municipality and converted into a museum, which is run on a volunteer basis by the Hans-Grade-Gesellschaft.
Inside the aircraft, a small exhibition shows the beginnings of powered flight in Borkheide and the life of Hans Grade; a film with historic footage also documents the spectacular landing. A Kamov Ka-26 helicopter also stands on the grounds. The IL-18 has since returned to the runway on which it once touched down; it is being restored there in line with monument conservation requirements, which is why the museum remains closed in the 2026 season.
Highlights
- Walk-through Ilyushin IL-18 of Interflug (registration DDR-STE)
- Film about the IL-18's landing on the grass strip in November 1989
- Exhibition on aviation pioneer Hans Grade and the Bork airfield
- Kamov Ka-26 helicopter with coaxial rotors
Permanent exhibition
- Ausstellung an Bord der IL-18 – Small show inside the aircraft on Hans Grade, the beginnings of powered flight and the history of the Borkheide airfield, complemented by a film about the landing of 1989.
- Operated by
- Hans-Grade-Gesellschaft e. V.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Groups | –Group tours including grounds and aircraft: up to 15 people €50, 15–30 people €100. |
| Visit during special opening hours (without tour) | €5 |
| Group tour up to 15 people | €50per group |
| Group tour 15–30 people | €100per group |
| Cycling tour on the Hans-Grade-Weg (max. 10 people) | €50from €50 per group |
Admission during regular opening hours to the grounds and aircraft without a tour €3; donations are welcome.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Borkheide
Regional train RB11 or Regional Express RE3 to Borkheide station (hourly service from the direction of Berlin or Bad Belzig); the museum is near the station.
By car via the A9, exit Beelitz, and the B246 towards Brück, then turn off to Borkheide.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | A film with historic footage on aviation history and the landing of the IL-18 complements the tour. Groups register by telephone. |
