1931
14th March 1931 First flying meeting. Gliders hand launch by bungee.
First locations fields at Comber & Ballymiscaw then also at Clandeboye flights of just a few seconds. Activity moves to a larger area at Holestone, Doagh where they do hand launches & auto-tows (bungee attached to car via rope and pulley).
![](https://ulsterglidingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1931.jpg)
1932
Auto-tow from beach Minerstown; flights of 150sec.
Then 5 mins But no proper soaring yet. One or two landings in shallow water… July 1932 Operations tried at Benone Strand, Magilligan; ridge soaring now possible: 25mins.
![](https://ulsterglidingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1932.jpg)
1933
Eight different launch sites used, still exploring…
Including Knockagh, with bungee launches from top, landing both back on the cliff-top or at its foot.
![](https://ulsterglidingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1933.jpg)
1936
First flights of over 5 hrs and over 50km.
![](https://ulsterglidingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1936.jpg)
1939
WW2 no gliding.
Flying resumed 1946; at Benone Strand, Magilligan – but rationing & recession limited the activity for many years.
![](https://ulsterglidingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1939.jpg)
1965
Club is re-located to the ex-RAF airfield of Long Kesh.
Launch by auto-towing & aerotowing.
![](https://ulsterglidingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1965.jpg)
1968
Flights of over 100km; heights of over 13,000ft.
![](https://ulsterglidingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/19placeholder.jpg)
1970
Evicted from Long Kesh to make way for military purposes – moved to Newtownards.
![](https://ulsterglidingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/19placeholder.jpg)
1974
Flights of over 300km.
![](https://ulsterglidingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/19placeholder.jpg)
1978
The Club relocates to a rented site at Bellarena, quite close to the present location.
![](https://ulsterglidingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1978-Relocation-to-Bellarena.jpg)
1993
The Club has an opportunity to buy ground of its own. Moved to current site.
![](https://ulsterglidingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/1993-club-buys-ground.png)
2021
The Club celebrates its 90th year of operations.
![](https://ulsterglidingcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/19placeholder.jpg)