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About
Description
The Ulster Aviation Society (UAS) is a Volunteer-run, 100% NON-PROFIT Aviation museum and Registered charity dedicated to preserving and exhibiting Northern Ireland's aviation heritage.
Featuring a unique array of 54+ Aircraft & Vehicles within its Heritage collection, and housed within two, authentic, Second World War hangars at Maze Long Kesh, just 5 mins outside Lisburn (at back of Balmoral site).
Attractions include:
- Military Fast Jets — modern and Cold War eras, plus Irish Air Corps
- Military Helicopters — RAF & Irish Air Corps
- Second World War — including fighters
- Shorts-designed & built Aircraft
- Civilian Aircraft
- Vintage Aircraft
- Second World War era Vehicles
- Flight Simulators (7) & VR Suites (6) — unique anywhere in Europe
- Aircraft Engines
- Artefacts and rare aviation reference materials
- Aviation Library
- ...all with strong links to aviation within the island of Ireland.
History and Mission
Founded in 1968, the UAS is entirely operated by passionate and knowledgable volunteers who restore and maintain the collection, many of whom have decades of experience.
The Society's mission is to educate the public about Northern Ireland's rich aviation legacy, including its key role in aircraft production and innovation during the 20th century.
The UAS are Winners of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS).
What You'll See and Do
Enjoy a FREE guided tour (you must pre-book!) led by knowledgeable and engaging Volunteers, with opportunities to sit in many aircraft cockpits and learn about restoration projects.
Get up close to (and sit in) rare military and civilian aircraft, including the a Red Arrows Hawk, Tornado GR.4, Phantom FG.1, Jaguar GR.3A and many more!
Explore helicopters such as the Lynx, Gazelle, Puma, Wessex, Scout and Alouette.
Experience interactive exhibits, 7 x Flight Simulators and 6 x VR headsets in their two state-of-the-art suites.
Browse their extensive Aviation Library with rare aviation books and manuals.
Location & Accessibility
The museum is located at the back of Maze Long Kesh, approximately 2 miles west of Lisburn city centre.
Extensive FREE parking is available.
FREE Wi-fi via state-of-the-art 1.8Gb Fibre Broadband.
Wheelchair accessible, though some surfaces in the hangars may be uneven.
Disabled Toilets & Baby Changing facilities.
Opening Hours
Open Season: 1 March – 31 October (closed November–February)
Tour Times: Daily at 10:30am and 5:30pm
Saturday: Additional tour slots may be available
Guided Tour Duration: Approx. 2-3 hours
SPECIAL NOTE — The hangars are unheated, so dress warmly during cooler months.
How to Book a FREE Guided Tour
All visits must be pre-booked via E-mail. Walk-ins are NOT permitted.
Email: bookvisit@ulsteraviationsociety.org with:
The number of visitors in your group (max 10 for family or small groups) plus your Mobile number for confirmation
The Volunteer Tour Co-ordinators will confirm your booking, or suggest alternative times or dates.
Admission: Family and small group tours (up to 10 people) are FREE, but donations are encouraged to support the Society's charitable work. Larger groups (11-50+ people) and schools are welcome for a small fee of £3 per person.
Visitor Tips
Children under 8 must be closely supervised at all times.
Photography is welcome. Cockpit access is subject to volunteer availability.
Contactless Card donations are accepted (Credit & Debit Cards, AMEX, ApplePay, GooglePay, PayPal).
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Facilities
Accessibility
- Guide dogs permitted
- Toilets for disabled visitors
- Wheelchair hire
Attraction Facilities
- Gift Shop
- Open Mondays
- Open Sundays
Children & Infants
- Accept children (Minimum age) - SAFETY WARNING — BEFORE BOOKING If you have young children UNDER 8yo they *MUST* be closely supervised by you at all times, for their own safety and others! It is not a playground! Our hangars and exhibits are not suitable at all for very young children. We reserve the Right to ask anyone to Leave.
- Baby changing facilities
Establishment Features
- Accept coach parties
- Cater for Corporate events
- Cater for individuals
- Event venue
- Family Fun
- First Aid
- Groups accepted - A family visit (10 people max.) is FREE OF CHARGE, yes FREE, however the UAS survives on both donations and our volunteers' own time and energy. Larger Group Visits (11-50+) are £3 PER PERSON.
- Groups catered for - Larger Group Visits (11-50+) are £3 PER PERSON.
- Guided Tours Available - Hangar Tours are FREE OF CHARGE, yes FREE, however the UAS relies on Donations to support our 100% Volunteer-run charity. Volunteer Tour Guides generously offer their time to show you around and tell you stories about the aircraft collection. To guarantee a Guide for your visit, please book your tour slot in advance via E-mail.
- Online Booking - Please do NOT just arrive out of the blue. You will be turned away! You MUST book first please as the hangars are not always open. Once you have e-mailed your Booking Request via BookVisit@ulsteraviationsociety.org our Visit Co-Ordinators, Ricci Coulter (Mob: 074 8670 9651) or David Reilly will confirm your tour or suggest alternative dates if your first choice is unavailable.
- Shop
- Talks
- Toilets
- Wifi
- Wi-fi available - FREE Wi-fi available via state-of-the-art 1.8Gb Fibre Broadband
Event Facilities
- Booking Required
Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- Coach parking
- On site parking - Extensive FREE Parking available including for Buses.
- Parking (free)
Payment Methods
- All major credit/debit cards accepted
- American Express accepted
- Euros accepted
- MasterCard accepted
- Visa accepted
- Visa Debit Accepted
Provider Preferences
- Film or TV location - The Ulster Aviation Society' hangars and heritage aircraft collection, located within their aviation compound at Maze Long Kesh in Lisburn, Northern Ireland has been a frequent TV filming location and backdrop for numerous TV series, documentaries and productions and can offer the sort of versatility and flexibility that Film Production Companies are looking for and we have been much in demand as a location for many years. From BBC documentaries, childrens' sci-fi drama series, to a punk rock music video, the two UAS hangars have a rich, authentic heritage that have provided the creative inspiration and opportunity for amazing visuals, cinematography, texture and atmosphere during each production. We can also hire out — on daily / weekly rates — many of our hero aircraft and aviation-related artefacts to movie production companies, to give you that rich, authentic look your Art Director and Set Decorators are looking for. The UAS works with professional logistics companies that have immense experience of safely moving aircraft and large pieces of kit for location shooting on movie sets.
- Guided Tours Available for Individuals
- Guided Tours Compulsory for Groups
- In countryside
- Indoor Attraction
- Marketed Towards Families
- Marketed Towards Senior Citizens
- Marketed Towards Students / Youth
- Non smoking establishment
- Of historic, literary or architectural interest
- Open by appointment only
- Out of town
Guide Prices
FREE Entry for families, but via pre-booking only
