Days Out NI
Air sports Limavady

Queen's Gliding Club

Queen's students learn to glide at Bellarena — and anyone can book a trial flight there.

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Clubclub membership is for Queen's students;…
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LimavadyBellarena airfield, on Lough Foyle, ~5nm…
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Queen's Gliding Club — Queen's students learn to glide at Bellarena — and anyone can book a trial flight there.

  • What you can do: Queen's students train towards solo and the BGA pathway; the public can book a one-off trial gliding flight at the airfield.
  • Who can go: club membership is for Queen's students; non-students can book a trial flight via the Ulster Gliding Centre.
  • Age, weight & health: solo from 14 (under-18s need consent); approx max weight 15.5 stone (98.5 kg); under 5 ft or over 6 ft 2 in may not fit some cockpits; medical declaration required.
  • Weather: weather-dependent, flights may be rescheduled.
  • Booking: book ahead.
  • Cost: check current prices with the Ulster Gliding Centre.
Plan your visit

Who can actually fly here

Queen's Gliding Club is a student club, so membership is for Queen's University students rather than the general public. Members train with the Ulster Gliding Centre at Bellarena, building hours towards solo and the full BGA training pathway, with subsidised winch launches at weekends. If you are not a student but want to try gliding, you can book a one-off trial flight at the same airfield directly through the Ulster Gliding Centre, flown with a qualified instructor. You sit in a two-seat glider, get a hands-on feel for the controls, and take in the view over Lough Foyle. The duty instructor on the day has the final say on whether any flight goes ahead.

University gliding club (QUB) Trains at Bellarena airfield Public can book a trial flight Weather-dependent Subsidised winch launches Lough Foyle views
Good to know before you go:

Flying here runs on the weather, so slots move at short notice — take the reschedule, it’s part of the sport. Some of the sites and clubs listed on Days Out NI are for members and qualified pilots rather than walk-in visitors, so check what’s on offer before you set off. And check the age, weight and health limits before you book: they’re set by the aircraft, not by anyone being fussy.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 📱A bookingAlmost everything up here runs on a slot you’ve arranged ahead — clubs included.
  • 🧥Warm layersIt’s colder up there than it is on the ground, and colder again waiting on the airfield.
  • 🗓️A flexible dayFlights move with the wind. Keep the day loose and you’ll enjoy it far more.
  • 📷A cameraThe view is the whole point — coast, lough and mountain, all in one lap.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Type
university club & school (public trial flights via the on-site Ulster Gliding Centre)
What you can do
Queen's students train towards solo and the BGA pathway; the public can book a one-off trial gliding flight at the airfield
Public access
club membership is for Queen's students; non-students can book a trial flight via the Ulster Gliding Centre
Age / weight / health limits
solo from 14 (under-18s need consent); approx max weight 15.5 stone (98.5 kg); under 5 ft or over 6 ft 2 in may not fit some cockpits; medical declaration required
Booking
book ahead
Weather
weather-dependent, flights may be rescheduled
Cost
check current prices with the Ulster Gliding Centre
Location / airfield / site
Bellarena airfield, on Lough Foyle, ~5nm north of Limavady
Parking
Not confirmed — check with the operator
Address
Bellarena, near Limavady, Co. Londonderry
Questions

Before you go

Can anyone go, or is it members only?
club membership is for Queen's students; non-students can book a trial flight via the Ulster Gliding Centre
What actually happens on the day?
Queen's students train towards solo and the BGA pathway; the public can book a one-off trial gliding flight at the airfield
Are there age or weight limits?
solo from 14 (under-18s need consent); approx max weight 15.5 stone (98.5 kg); under 5 ft or over 6 ft 2 in may not fit some cockpits; medical declaration required
Do I need to book?
book ahead
What happens if the weather turns?
weather-dependent, flights may be rescheduled
Getting there

Queen's Gliding Club is at Bellarena, near Limavady, Co. Londonderry. Tap below for directions.

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Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around LimavadySee what else is close by More air sports across NIFlights, gliders, helicopters and flying sites
The story

About it

Queen's Gliding Club is the only university gliding club in Northern Ireland, training its members at Bellarena alongside the Ulster Gliding Centre. Members work through the British Gliding Association pathway, with subsidised winch launches at weekends.

The airfield at Bellarena dates back to 1930 and is one of only two gliding centres on the island of Ireland, set on the shores of Lough Foyle with views across to Donegal.