About U-Fly Wanaka
U-Fly Wanaka gives visitors the chance to take the controls of a real aircraft and fly over some of New Zealand's most spectacular scenery. Based at Wanaka Airport on Spitfire Lane, the operation offers trial flight experiences where guests sit in the pilot's seat of a Cessna or Piper training aircraft and, under the guidance of a qualified flight instructor, actually fly the plane over Lake Wanaka, the Southern Alps, and the surrounding mountain valleys.
Flight options range from a 20-minute introductory experience — ideal for a taster — to longer scenic flights of 40 or 60 minutes that venture further over glaciers, alpine passes, and remote backcountry airstrips. No previous flying experience is needed; the instructor handles takeoff and landing while the guest controls the aircraft in flight. For aviation enthusiasts, U-Fly also offers structured flight training courses toward a private pilot licence, visiting pilot services, and aircraft charter.
What makes U-Fly unique is the hands-on nature of the experience — this is not a passive sightseeing flight but an active, adrenaline-charged adventure. The combination of jaw-dropping mountain scenery and the thrill of piloting an aircraft has earned U-Fly consistently outstanding reviews and a reputation as one of Wanaka's most memorable activities.
