Days Out NI
Air sports Limavady

Ulster Gliding Centre

Book a trial gliding flight over Lough Foyle, or train as a pilot with the club

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LimavadyBellarena airfield, on the shores of Loug…
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Ulster Gliding Centre — Book a trial gliding flight over Lough Foyle, or train as a pilot with the club.

  • What you can do: Book a trial introductory flight with an instructor; aerotow to ~2,000ft, around 20 minutes.
  • Who can go: Book a trial flight as a one-off, or join the club to train.
  • Age, weight & health: Under-18s need parental consent and a medical declaration; glider weight limit ~15.5 stone (~98kg); a medical declaration is required of everyone.
  • Weather: Weather-dependent; flights are often rescheduled.
  • Booking: Book and pay online; vouchers available.
  • Cost: Not published here - check the current trial flight price when you book.
Plan your visit

What a trial flight is actually like

You fly in a two-seat training glider with a qualified instructor in the back seat. The glider is aerotowed behind a powered plane to a release height of about 2,000ft, then flies silently on the air currents. The instructor will show you how the controls work and let you have a go, or you can sit back and enjoy the view if you prefer. The whole flight is approximately 20 minutes depending on conditions. Dress in layers - airfields are exposed and can be cold even on a sunny day - and bring soft footwear, as bulky hiking boots will not fit in the cockpit.

Trial gliding flight Aerotow to ~2,000ft Around 20 minutes airborne Book ahead, weather-dependent Weight limit ~15.5 stone Lough Foyle and Donegal 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
club and gliding school (also sells trial flights to the public)
What you can do
Book a trial introductory flight with an instructor; aerotow to ~2,000ft, around 20 minutes
Public access
Book a trial flight as a one-off, or join the club to train
Age / weight / health limits
Under-18s need parental consent and a medical declaration; glider weight limit ~15.5 stone (~98kg); a medical declaration is required of everyone
Booking
Book and pay online; vouchers available
Weather
Weather-dependent; flights are often rescheduled
Cost
Not published here - check the current trial flight price when you book
Location / airfield / site
Bellarena airfield, on the shores of Lough Foyle near Limavady
Parking
Not confirmed - check with the operator
Address
Bellarena, near Limavady, County Londonderry (phone 028 7775 0301)
Questions

Before you go

Can anyone go, or is it members only?
Book a trial flight as a one-off, or join the club to train
What actually happens on the day?
Book a trial introductory flight with an instructor; aerotow to ~2,000ft, around 20 minutes
Are there age or weight limits?
Under-18s need parental consent and a medical declaration; glider weight limit ~15.5 stone (~98kg); a medical declaration is required of everyone
Do I need to book?
Book and pay online; vouchers available
What happens if the weather turns?
Weather-dependent; flights are often rescheduled
Getting there

Ulster Gliding Centre is at Bellarena, near Limavady, County Londonderry (phone 028 7775 0301). Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
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

The Ulster Gliding Centre traces its roots to 1930 and is one of only two gliding centres on the island of Ireland. It operates as a member-run club and a British Gliding Association (BGA) training school from Bellarena airfield on the shores of Lough Foyle, with sweeping views across to the Donegal hills.

Alongside full pilot training for members, the club sells trial introductory flights to the public, making it one of the few places in Northern Ireland where a visitor can experience gliding with an instructor.