The Aviator Experience

The Aviator Experience Where everyone can be a fighter pilot. Find us now at 705 Pollen Street, Thames, NZ Planning a special event? We can host up to 30 guests, fully catered.
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Whether you're just after a coffee or you want to fly a Spitfire, there's something for everyone at The Aviator Experience. After a coffee and delicious brunch, try flying a Spitfire like Grandad did in WWII, or if you're a Top Gun fan, get into the cockpit of an F-14 Tomcat and have a go at landing on a carrier deck. Bring a group of friends and take each other down or try some formation flying -

both are harder than you think! Get in touch if you'd like to find out more about what we do or if you'd like a test flight before booking a session or event.

Congratulations to kiwi Liam Lawson who has just been selected to be the number 2 driver for Red Bull F1 and Max Verstap...
19/12/2024

Congratulations to kiwi Liam Lawson who has just been selected to be the number 2 driver for Red Bull F1 and Max Verstappen. I'm sure there will be plenty of kiwis switching on to F1 now. Let's hope he can do well and back up Max and the team in the constructors championship. Well done Liam.

You’ve got to love Thames car parking. If you can guess the age and gender of the person who parked here for 2 hours t...
19/12/2024

You’ve got to love Thames car parking. If you can guess the age and gender of the person who parked here for 2 hours taking up 2 car parks, you will win an iced coffee (comment below).

AREYOU PAYING TOOMUCH FOR COFFEE ! We all love a good cup of coffee (most of us anyway) and there’s nothing like great c...
15/12/2024

AREYOU PAYING TOOMUCH FOR COFFEE !

We all love a good cup of coffee (most of us anyway) and there’s nothing like great coffee first thing in the morning BUT…

It would appear that “shrinkage” has started to appear in the coffee world and $8+ for a large has reared up in different places.

So if you’re asking for a large BUT you’re getting a medium, maybe it’s time to consider a new coffee house?

Let us know below what you are paying for and getting?

Whether it’s a Good George craft beer or one of our own Avgas Pilsners or JetA1 Largers, why not stop in at The Aviator ...
14/12/2024

Whether it’s a Good George craft beer or one of our own Avgas Pilsners or JetA1 Largers, why not stop in at The Aviator this summer to refuel, rearm and refresh yourselves.

Caution: alcohol can make people more handsome and beautiful 😍 beyond normal limits.

We had the pleasure to meet this awesome man this morning, (and his lovely wife) who popped into The Aviator for coffee....
14/12/2024

We had the pleasure to meet this awesome man this morning, (and his lovely wife) who popped into The Aviator for coffee.

Meet Phil Buckle of Southern Sons and John Farnham fame. Phil wrote "Burn for You" one of Farnham's best songs (and one of my favorites).

Thank you for stopping in Phil.

Whether it's the venerable UH-1H Huey, the agile little OH-58 Kiowa or the highly capable (and technical) AH-64 Apache, ...
09/12/2024

Whether it's the venerable UH-1H Huey, the agile little OH-58 Kiowa or the highly capable (and technical) AH-64 Apache, our VR helo simulator has just received a few upgrades that makes it feel betterer (yes that is a real word here) than ever.

* Improved visuals via software updates
* Seat Updates with more realistic "feelings and effects"
* New mission content and locations

And all sessions include a flight instructor to help you get the most out of it.

25% sale is still on for 2 more days, so be quick for the ultimate Christmas present for your special person in your life (that can be yourself too :) )

For all you fling wing addicts, this is a great picture to show how big the Russian Mi-26 Halo is.* Rotor diameter is 32...
07/12/2024

For all you fling wing addicts, this is a great picture to show how big the Russian Mi-26 Halo is.

* Rotor diameter is 32m
* Can carry a massive 20,000 KG of cargo
* 2 x 11,000 HP turboshaft engines
* 12,000 litre fuel capacity
* Cruise Speed of 138 knots

INSANE!

25% off all vouchers this week only, to celebrate our 200th Google Review (now back at 5 stars). In store or online. ...
05/12/2024

25% off all vouchers this week only, to celebrate our 200th Google Review (now back at 5 stars). In store or online. Be quick, ends Monday.

So get them something they will remember, not just more socks and un**es 🙂

As a bonus, all vouchers have no expiry 🙂

03/12/2024

👏Thank you to our amazing customers for helping us achieve this milestone, we're so grateful to YOU! To celebrate, we're grounding our prices with a FLASH SALE - one week only! 🥳

~ 25% OFF FLIGHTS ~

⏰Sale Ends Tuesday 10th December. Don't miss out!

* Excludes Gift Cards

25/11/2024

Do you have a teenager (12 to 16) that is interested in aviation and would like to meet up with other teenagers on a monthly basis?

We are now taking registrations for our YOUNG AVIATORS club for 2025

* Meet once a month at The Aviator Experience Thames
* Enjoy some Simulator Flying (technical and fun)
* Aviation Themed Guest Speakers
* Learn about Aviation and Military Careers
* Includes a small dinner each meeting

If you live in the Coromandel or Hauraki districts and you would love to know more, please make contact below or via PM.

Spaces are limited to 12 aviators for the 2025 year.

23/11/2024

Our little Echo is our alarm clock in the morning (just before 6am). Can anyone hear the special song in the middle that she has learnt from living in the Gorge?

22/11/2024

It's a miracle, she has been found. One very hungry, thirsty and angry bird. Thank you everyone for reaching out, we are so relieved to have ECHO home safe and sound.

She had been on a little adventure all of her own, across the Ohinimuri river, highly likely she had walked (skipped) across the tunnel bridge to get there.

Thank you One New Zealand another outage.
22/11/2024

Thank you One New Zealand another outage.

It’s that time of the year again. Correctly guess the number of Peanut M&M’s in the jar and win a 40 min flight session...
20/11/2024

It’s that time of the year again. Correctly guess the number of Peanut M&M’s in the jar and win a 40 min flight session, burger and drink valued at $90 plus the jar as well.

Important Rules:
1. You must tag a mate
2. Judges can be bought
3. Craig will not eat them
4. Correct guess will be drawn on 21st Dec 2024
5. Only one guess per customer
6. Not too many M&M's were hurt in the making of this post ;)
7. Read all the rules, especially 1.

Good Luck Everyone 🙂

20/11/2024

Sadly our pet rescued Magpie “Echo” is missing and she’s still not the best flyer yet. We are hopeful she has just gone walkabout. She’s only a year old and too friendly for her own good we feel .

13/11/2024

Here’s the FB version for those having issues with Instagram.

Do I really look that old lol

10/11/2024

This is AI generated of what it may have been like in WWI, unbelievable times for unbelievably brave men.

The aspect I often think about is the horrific situation for the animals, horses especially.

We will remember them.

We will remember them. Today on the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month of 1918, we remember the ultimate sacri...
10/11/2024

We will remember them. Today on the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month of 1918, we remember the ultimate sacrifices paid by nearly 40 million military and civilian people during WWI.
Around 16,000 New Zealanders did not return, and a further 41,000 were wounded. Add to that the mental wounds of those that did return.

As the days and years pass, please remember them, as their sacrifices were not given lightly and the lessons learned should never be forgotten.

PLEASE WELCOME our latest front of house / bar manager who starts very soon, she is an ex USAF F16 pilot. .......Ok thi...
08/11/2024

PLEASE WELCOME our latest front of house / bar manager who starts very soon, she is an ex USAF F16 pilot. .......
Ok this is not quite true, we will however be looking for another front of house superstar in the near future, so if you believe you could work for this outrageous rabble of a team called The Aviator in Thames please make contact.

Yes we believe work should be fun, because happy staff = happy customers 🙂

Address

705 Pollen Street
Thames

Opening Hours

Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 10am - 3pm

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Little Miss Annoying

👏Thank you to our amazing customers for helping us achieve this milestone, we're so grateful to YOU! To celebrate, we're grounding our prices with a FLASH SALE - one week only! 🥳 ~ 25% OFF FLIGHTS ~ ⏰Sale Ends Tuesday 10th December. Don't miss out! * Excludes Gift Cards

Young Aviators Club
Young Aviators Club

Do you have a teenager (12 to 16) that is interested in aviation and would like to meet up with other teenagers on a monthly basis? We are now taking registrations for our YOUNG AVIATORS club for 2025 * Meet once a month at The Aviator Experience Thames * Enjoy some Simulator Flying (technical and fun) * Aviation Themed Guest Speakers * Learn about Aviation and Military Careers * Includes a small dinner each meeting If you live in the Coromandel or Hauraki districts and you would love to know more, please make contact below or via PM. Spaces are limited to 12 aviators for the 2025 year.

Our little Echo is our alarm clock in the morning (just before 6am). Can anyone hear the special song in the middle that she has learnt from living in the Gorge?

It's a miracle, she has been found. One very hungry, thirsty and angry bird. Thank you everyone for reaching out, we are so relieved to have ECHO home safe and sound. She had been on a little adventure all of her own, across the Ohinimuri river, highly likely she had walked (skipped) across the tunnel bridge to get there.

Sadly our pet rescued Magpie “Echo” is missing and she’s still not the best flyer yet. We are hopeful she has just gone walkabout. She’s only a year old and too friendly for her own good we feel .

This is AI generated of what it may have been like in WWI, unbelievable times for unbelievably brave men. The aspect I often think about is the horrific situation for the animals, horses especially. We will remember them.

The Ultimate Christmas Gift ! If you are looking for something different, something special for your loved one this year then why don't you get them a voucher from The Aviator to fly a Fighter Jet, WWII Warbird or even a Helicopter. A 5 star rated experience for ages 12 and above. All vouchers have no expiry (we honour all vouchers no matter how old). We are conveniently located in the coromandel town of Thames just 1.25 hours from central Auckland, 1.5 hours from Hamilton and Tauranga. We are also a licensed ala carte cafe so family can sit back and enjoy whilst their "pilot" gets their inner Top Gun on. Vouchers start from just $29 :)

First Flight
First Flight

Echo still hasn’t had her first flight yet due to broken wing feathers but it won’t be long

Looking for something different for your work Xmas party this year? * Would you like to know who your Top Gun is? * Are you Maverick, Iceman or Goose? The Aviator Experience in Thames is an all weather, indoor event, eatery and fully licensed bar for the ULTIMATE Christmas party. The perfect event space for teams up to 45 people. Enquire now as limited dates and times available.

Don’t touch my feet
Don’t touch my feet

Who’s your favourite Aviator pet? Echo the Magpie or Gilbert the Softy?

Best Mates
Best Mates

Here we have Echo again, our very own Squawking Magpie with her two best friends, Piper and Mr. Gilbert. Who do you think is the boss? And yes, we do love black and white.

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Fighter Pilots Wanted!

Do you have the skill to take on a MiG-29 from the cockpit of an F-18 Hornet?

Probably not unless you’ve been in the US Air Force, but you will after you’ve been to see us!

Our ultra realistic VR Flight Simulators give you the most incredible flying experience outside of a real aircraft you can have. Climb into your cockpit, strap in, and take the controls of a Spitfire, Mustang, F-14 Tomcat, F-18 Hornet or other aircraft of your choice.

Dogfight your mates, try an aircraft carrier landing, or simply fly around and look at the stunning scenery. There are no slow Jumbo’s or Cessna’s in our hanger, just fast and furious Military Warbirds to really get your adrenaline pumping.