U-Fly Wanaka
U-Fly Wanaka
5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Full view
About
2 in 1 incredible scenic flight plus your chance to fly a plane. Sit back and enjoy a truly superb instructional scenic flight over the lakes, mountains and glaciers. We use highly reliable training aircraft that have dual controls for the person flying and experienced instructor. Our aircraft also have two extra seats in the back for you to bring along friends and family for the ride.
Wanaka, New Zealand
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
225 reviews
Excellent
215
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
2
Terrible
4
Hilda P
6 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
I thoroughly enjoyed being able to fly the Cessna 172 once Fox had got us airborne. It was amazing to fly over Lake Wanaka and circle around Mou Waho Island where we had walked the previous day. Seeing it from above made it look so small, yet it had taken a lot of energy to reach the summit! There is something magical looking down on the earth ... and water beneath us. Everything looks quite small. It was really exciting. My husband and good friend sitting in the rear seats enjoyed the wonderful views and said that they were totally at ease with me at the controls! Fox was great at giving clear instructions and explanations. I'd love to repeat it all over again.
We all had a great buzz.
Many thanks Fox for your calm and clear directions and apparently so at ease with a 75 year old woman at the controls! Wish I'd been able to do this over 50 years ago!!
We all had a great buzz.
Many thanks Fox for your calm and clear directions and apparently so at ease with a 75 year old woman at the controls! Wish I'd been able to do this over 50 years ago!!
Written 2 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Passenger08158230072
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Couples
This flying experience was a gift from my kids. I wish they had given it to me 30 years ago! Marguerite and I had the great privilege of flying with Isaac and the whole experience could not have been better. Taking the controls, feeling the aircraft respond, and looking at the spectacular scenery, was just memorable. I could easily have carried on for another hour. From take off to landing, the learning experience and the pure joy of flying among the spectacular mountain scenery, put a genuine smile on our faces. Thank you.
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your five-star review. We are delighted to hear that you had a positive
experience with us at U-Fly Wanaka. We hope you’ll visit us again soon.
Written 23 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Greg S
Invercargill, New Zealand1 contribution
Mar 2020
My Partner brought me a U-Fly ticket for Xmas. I took me about 3 months to use it due to commitments. Well all I can say is it was nothing more than amazing!! Fox, my instructor was second to none, like second to none!! Just amazing! When U-Fly say you fly the plane, you fly the plane, give or take as Fox did talk the controls a little. (Obviously, as Fox didn't want to die with me at the controls) But all in all I was flying the plane! I will be going back for a second go as I now know what to expect, like how control inputs affects the plane. All I can say is Fox is the most amazing instructor. Thank you Fox.
PS: Please note that if you do the U-Fly your time in the air does go toward your pilot's license if you were looking to do one in the future.
PS: Please note that if you do the U-Fly your time in the air does go toward your pilot's license if you were looking to do one in the future.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MJMJ
1 contribution
Mar 2021
My friend who has his private pilots licence made a phone booking to hire plane and take my wife and I for a flight.
The owner/instructor was not up-front when the aircraft was booked and it was not until we where completing the paper work, he stated that he was going to come along on the flight.
The hanger was dirty and unkept with old aircraft parts and other random items around the hanger. It is not what I have experienced in other aircraft and helicopter hangers.
The aircraft was parked on the hanger apron when we arrived. Once in the aircraft, my friend who was the pilot started the preflight checks and plugged his headset into the radio. There was a constant buzz interference heard on all headsets in the aircraft. The instructor/owner attempted to fix the issue by pushing the same two buttons which was making no effect!
He said it had never happened before! I would have expected he should have done a pre flight check and safety procedures prior to hiring it to us.
The flight obvious could not happen due to the COMMS issue. The owner offered no apology!
I would not advise anyone to fly with Wanaka U-fly due to the state of the hanger, poor communication prior to booking and failing to check basic operating procedures such as operating COMM.
The owner/instructor was not up-front when the aircraft was booked and it was not until we where completing the paper work, he stated that he was going to come along on the flight.
The hanger was dirty and unkept with old aircraft parts and other random items around the hanger. It is not what I have experienced in other aircraft and helicopter hangers.
The aircraft was parked on the hanger apron when we arrived. Once in the aircraft, my friend who was the pilot started the preflight checks and plugged his headset into the radio. There was a constant buzz interference heard on all headsets in the aircraft. The instructor/owner attempted to fix the issue by pushing the same two buttons which was making no effect!
He said it had never happened before! I would have expected he should have done a pre flight check and safety procedures prior to hiring it to us.
The flight obvious could not happen due to the COMMS issue. The owner offered no apology!
I would not advise anyone to fly with Wanaka U-fly due to the state of the hanger, poor communication prior to booking and failing to check basic operating procedures such as operating COMM.
Written 25 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorry for the bad experience, but I have to say the comment for us is not fair, especially it is NOT a normal flight.
This passenger came along with his friend who has a pilot licence and rented our aircraft in the past. As a safety concern, a pilot recent flight experience will be examined before a flight is authorized. On that day, by checking the pilot recent flight experience, I considered the safest practice is for me to come along as a safety pilot. And I made it very clear that I am happy to provide the service for free which could otherwise be charged at a normal instructor rate as a dual instructing flight.
Because the flight was under the private hire category instead of normal commercial flights, that was not relying on us to provide customer service. That was the pilot's responsibility. And we provide safety supervision.
For the same reason, because his friend acting as the PIC (pilot in command), the responsibility for preflight inspection is on the pilot. But I have to say the interference heard on the radio was a very strange one. I took the aircraft to an aircraft engineer and tried to fix the problem immediately after the flight was cancelled. But on the way to the maintenance hangar, I tested the radio again and it functioned perfectly. The engineer also could not find any fault. What I found when I taxi the aircraft back to our hangar was, when the aircraft within a 10-meter distance to the hangar door, the radio received an unknown interference. The interference was disappeared when the aircraft moved 10 meters away from the hangar door. We have never experienced this interference before. The aircraft is maintained at a very high standard by certified aircraft maintenance engineer.
Again, sorry for the bad experience, the comment still point out the area for improvement. We will work hard to provide a great service to every customer who walks into our door.
Written 8 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Elyse
38 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
Did the 20minute introductory flight, it was my first time in such a small plane. It was a great experience with beautiful views of the Lake Wanaka, and the township. I had the pleasure of flying with Lee who was really kind and patient. Definitely want to come back for a longer flight next time I'm in Wanaka.
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
That is glad to know you had a good flight experience. To provide a great flight experience for every flight is our mission. Thanks for your support, and your satisfaction is the biggest encouragement for us.
Written 8 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Peter A
2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
I took the 1 hour Mt Aspiring round trip and the weather and veiws we out of this world had never flown before.I Basically flew the whole way awesome.
Hamish was a very relaxed and a great instructor 👍
Hamish was a very relaxed and a great instructor 👍
Written 16 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah M
5 contributions
Mar 2023
This was spectacular! Our pilot Isaac was an excellent instructor, and informative about the landscape, glaciers, plate tectonics, history, weather, clouds, everything we wanted to know. The day was glorious, and this hour was a highlight of our trip. Thank you to U-Fly and to Isaac!
Written 5 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Sarah,
Thank you for your great review. At U-Fly Wanaka, we work hard to offer high-quality trial flight experience to
every guest and I'm delighted to hear that Isaac made your experience and informative and enjoyable one. We made sure to share this feedback with our team.
We hope to see you again soon!
Written 23 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John de Ruiter
4 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
I had the opportunity to fly with FI Fox Lee and it was really amazing. The first flight we went to Glentanner and climbing afterwards to aprox. 10000 feet. Battling through turbulence and gaining experience in full mountain flying.
The second flight the weather allowed us to go to Milford Sound which was epic in it’s own way. Can’t describe the scenery in words.
I definitely recommend U-Fly and would come back any given time.
The second flight the weather allowed us to go to Milford Sound which was epic in it’s own way. Can’t describe the scenery in words.
I definitely recommend U-Fly and would come back any given time.
Written 4 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WC
7 contributions
Jul 2022
Superb value for money. U-Fly are based in Wanaka NZ where there are BIG mountains. A one hour flight will get you well above Aspiring National Park and AROUND Mt Aspiring. Big glaciers, ice falls, cirques and seemingly endless mountains. Few other places can offer this ratio of great views to flight time.
Written 22 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
manorfarm2023
18 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
I am a PPL and fly from Cambridge UK. Normally the most exciting flights are climbing to a height of 3000ft and watching the flat Fenland below and occasionally extra excitement to fly to France for the day.
However, this is my second flight with U-Fly in Wanaka flying down to Milford Sound.
I flew with Fox Lee who was a fantastic companion and guide and assisted me on this challenging flight down to Milford.
The flying school is excellently run. The aircraft are wonderfully maintained and Fox Lee made the journey totally memorable.
I hope to be back next year for another flight.
Thanks again to Fox and the entire team.
However, this is my second flight with U-Fly in Wanaka flying down to Milford Sound.
I flew with Fox Lee who was a fantastic companion and guide and assisted me on this challenging flight down to Milford.
The flying school is excellently run. The aircraft are wonderfully maintained and Fox Lee made the journey totally memorable.
I hope to be back next year for another flight.
Thanks again to Fox and the entire team.
Written 1 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'd love for my husband to have this experience flying, he's helped build a plane and flown before. How do we book it on TripAdvisor, could I go in the back seat, and what is the cost and availability for Feb 2 or 4? Eve
Written 14 January 2020
Could anyone suggest me what is the best time of the day for U Fly extreme activity in
Wanaka , New Zealand.. In order to get best views
Written 21 February 2019
Hi, usually morning session is better, and you can always reschedule it if the weather doesn't look good.
Written 21 February 2019
jainaayush32
Mumbai, India
Do the aeribatics make you motion sick? Is it too much too soon for first time experience?
Written 30 December 2016
Hi there and thanks for your question. I am one of the pilots and very very few people get sick. The 'g' forces do feel pretty weird, some people just LOVE it and others are a little unsure about the feeling. Our aircraft is a two seater side by side so we can see how you are doing through each manouver to make sure you are getting the flight that you will enjoy the most : )
Written 14 January 2018
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