Product Overview

Book one of the 20, 30 or 60 minute Trial Flights and enjoy the stunning Southern Alps with the team at U-FLY Wanaka. In a small dual controlled aircraft, our qualified instructors will guide you through a take-off, flight and landing over Lake Wanaka.

Every aircraft is dual controlled ensuring close support from our qualified instructors. This means you can have as much control and flight time as you would like right from take-off through to landing. Take the opportunity to see the incredible Central Otago landscape from the best viewpoint with U-FLY Wanaka.

Product Description

The Glacier Ridge flight is our longest trial flight at over an hour of flying, and 130kms covered out over the heart of the Southern Alps.

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After a pilot briefing with your qualified instructor, we take off and climb up to 3500 meters heading west up the majestic Matukituki Valley and over Mount Aspiring National Park. We’ll fly over picturesque Glendhu Bay, Rocky Mountain, and the spectacular ridgeline of Treble Cone and it’s ski fields on the way. You’ll see glaciers in their glistening glory and fly through a magical alpine wonderland only seen by a privileged few. Our turn around point is right under the much loved Mount Aspiring, where waterfalls cascade into valleys of untouched beauty, literally the heart of the Southern Alps.

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On our return flight, we fly low level down the Minaret Burn valley following the stunning braided river to the clear blue of Lake Wanaka. Our journey home also takes us for a quick flying visit past the wilderness of Lake Hawea.
As with all of our trial flights, no previous experience is necessary to try these out, as you will be with an experienced instructor throughout the flight in a dual-control aircraft. You can take the plane’s controls as much or as little as you like and there is absolutely no pressure as you learn the basics of flying a plane in a relaxed enjoyable atmosphere.

 

Our 30 minute flight path on this flight heads to the mouth of the Matukituki Valley – the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park – then on to pass over Lake Wanaka’s four islands, which are all beautiful sanctuaries for endangered flightless birds.

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As you fly the plane you will enjoy views across both Lake Wanaka and over the mountains to stunning Lake Hawea. This region, a paradise for water sports lovers, truly comes to life when seen from the air. As your flight passes out over Lake Hawea as well as stunning mountain ranges you will see the other worldly circles made by crop irrigation and the valleys crowded with trees and rivers.

 

Our 20 minute  flight will let you learn to fly over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains are one of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Your trial flight will let you soar over the picturesque Wanaka township, and then on over stunning and often glass-like waters of Glendhu Bay.

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The views are truly amazing and you feel like you can see forever across the mountain range of the Southern Alps out to the West Coast. A sweeping turn over the lake takes us back to our base at Wanaka airport, skirting past wedge-shaped Mount Iron and the sparkling Clutha River.

Departure Times

Departures from 0900 through till 1430 local time

What To Bring

Please bring sunglasses and a jumper in winter.

Company Info

U-Fly Wanaka is based in stunning Wanaka providing professional scenic trial flight services for international and domestic visitors, as well as a range of aviation training services for both qualified pilots and beginners.

Compare to a normal scenic flight, our product is unique as we are eligible to offer customers an unforgettable hands-on flying experience. Your safety is always our priority. At U-Fly Wanaka we have a 100% Safety Record. Our aircraft all equipped with dual control, which provide a high level of safety insurance during the flight. We take pride in maintaining a 100% safety record after decades of flying and flight training.

We look forward to flying with you.