GlideOmarama.com offers Introductory Flights to visitors interested in learning about the art of soaring and who wish to experience the joy of silent flight in a high performance sailplane. No gliding experience is necessary. Your instructor will give you the option of handling the glider for part of the flight.

We offer Gift Vouchers for those who wish to give something different.

30 Minute Flight

NZ$235 Per person

• After a short ground briefing by your instructor/pilot you will be towed behind a powered tow plane to 2,000 or 3,000 feet above the airfield where the glider will be released.
• You can then experience the beauty of soaring amongst the lakes and mountains of the Mackenzie Country.
• The flight is tailored to suit your own aspirations whether that be for a smooth and gentle ride or more adventurous with thrills and aerobatics, is entirely up to you.

One Hour Flight

NZ$345 per person

• Explore our alpine environment and soar into the spectacular Southern Alps
• Experience the potential of these extraordinary high performance sailplanes.
• Usually the 30 Minute Flight can be upgraded to the One Hour Flight or longer whilst in the air.

Please note:

You are welcome to join us for the daily morning breifing at 10:00am at the Soaring Centre on the Omarama Airfield.

Also nausea associated with circling and the motion of flight can be a problem for some people. If unsure book a shorter rather than a longer flight (we can usually extend it in the air if requested) and we suggest you prepare yourself by:

• taking travel sickness tablets or anti nausea devices
• checking your instructor has brought a bag in the glider!
• while the glider is turning look in the direction of the turn and avoid sudden head movements.

Long Flights

Longer more adventurous flights can be made deep into our mountains: for example

• south west past Lake Wanaka to Mount Aspiring or
• north to Mount Cook and the Tasman Glacier
• wave flights up to 500 km long and over 20,000 feet high are often possible.

These flights are of course dependent on suitable soaring conditions. We will advise you whether long flights are worth attampting on the day. Iit is advisable to have had some previous light plane or soaring experience before taking a long flight.

The cost is NZ$180 per hour (a minimum of two hours) plus the aero tow.

Bookings: Most short flights are scheduled between 10:30 am and 12:30pm each day but later times may be arranged. There is a daily briefing at 10:00 am at the Omarama Soaring Centre to which you are invited.

For Inquiries, Bookings and Gift Vouchers please

Contact Mandy

or ring:
03 438 9555 9:30am to 5:30 pm
03 438 9888 after hours

Learn to Fly Courses