The collection includes a rare Shorts Skyvan, an aircraft designed and manufactured in Belfast.
Several exhibits are housed in the original hangars that were part of the former RAF Long Kesh airfield.
The museum serves as a preservation hub for the 'de Havilland Vampire' and 'Hawker Hunter' jet fighters.
The society maintains a complete cockpit section of a VC10 aircraft used for public educational demonstrations.
Many of the restored aircraft on display were recovered from crash sites or scrapyards and required years of volunteer labor to return to static display condition.
The museum site is part of the former Royal Air Force station that operated during World War II.
The Ulster Aviation Society is an extensive aviation museum housed in former aircraft hangars at the historic Maze Long Kesh site near Lisburn. The collection features over 30 restored aircraft, including rare examples of Cold War jets and vintage propeller-driven planes. Many exhibits are maintained by a team of dedicated volunteers who focus on the technical restoration and preservation of Northern Ireland's aeronautical heritage. The museum holds a significant number of aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. Visitors can explore a mix of military jets, light aircraft, and helicopters, alongside a large collection of aviation-related artifacts and flight memorabilia. The site is uniquely situated on the grounds of the former Maze Prison complex, offering a distinct industrial atmosphere. It operates primarily as a volunteer-led educational facility rather than a commercial tourist attraction.
The main hangar floor, which allows for wide-angle shots of the multi-level aircraft arrangement.
Wear comfortable, warm clothing as the museum is housed in large, unheated aircraft hangars.
Interact with the volunteer guides who are often former engineers or aviation enthusiasts with deep technical knowledge of the planes.
Allocate extra time if you wish to speak with the restoration team members often working on-site.
Do not expect a polished, high-tech multimedia experience; this is a rugged, authentic workshop-style museum.
Operates on a seasonal basis with restricted weekend-only opening patterns; check their official website for current annual calendar updates before traveling.
Do not touch the aircraft surfaces or climb into cockpits unless explicitly permitted by a volunteer guide.
